A Christmas Story Reviews

Critics and audience members alike are raving about A Christmas Story! There are only 4 more chances left to see the show - December 21, 22, 23 at 7 PM and December 24 at 2 PM in A.J. Fletcher Theater.

What the critics are saying:

Roy Dicks of News & Observer: "The choice seems sure-fire. All the beloved moments from the movie are here: Ralphie in bunny pajamas, his father in ecstacy over winning the leg lamp, Flick's tongue stuck to a flagpole, and, of course, the pursuit of the obsessed-over BB gun." Full review here.

Byron Woods of Independent Weekly: "Strong performances anchor this joint venture between Hot Summer Nights, NC Theatre and Broadway Series South - and with results this good, the trio should plan for future collaborations. Full review here.

What the audience is saying:

"Totally flaw free performances, great music, good audio, wow lighting and sets...this is the real deal in Raleigh!" -Scottsmusic

"Should be an annual tradition!...A must see." -LifeWithLMJ

Click here for tickets!

Parker Family Portrait

Curtis Brown stopped by before the dress rehearsal last night to take the Parker family portrait - didn't it turn out great?

The Parker Family: Ralphie, Mother, The Old Man, Randy
(Langdon Ogburn, Andrea Schulz Twiss, Bill Yates, Jr., Carter Godwin)

A Christmas Story opens TONIGHT and runs through Christmas Eve in A.J. Fletcher Theater. Do you have your tickets yet? It's going to be a fun, hilarious show and a memorable night out at the theatre!

P.S. The News & Observer did a great feature story on the production - check it out in case you missed it in last Sunday's paper! There is a fun slideshow of 16 rehearsal photos as well.

NC Theatre Conservatory Dance Company to Perform at Winterfest!

Bundle up and head to WinterFest this Saturday from 4 PM to 11 PM on City Plaza in downtown Raleigh! It is a two month long extravaganza featuring an outdoor skating rink with natural ice.

The NC Theatre Conservatory Dance Company will perform two holiday-themed numbers - Jingle Bells and Eight Days of Christmas - at 5:30 PM. You do not want to miss their shining talents!

This family-friendly event is a true celebration with lots of entertainment including Jaron and the Long Road to Love and Christian Kane, along with a special performance by The Embers.

Fun activities for the family include Santa's Village, carriage rides, Christmas tree lighting, ice skating and more. Click here for a complete schedule of events and all the information you need to know for the event!

Light Up Your Holidays This Weekend!

Friday, December 3rd & Saturday, December 4th

Outside on Lichtin Plaza & Inside the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts

Friday Schedule of Events:

6 PM: Mayor Meeker will literally flip a light switch to light up the plaza with twinkling stars overhead and gorgeous light sculptures commissioned by Artsplosure outside on Lichtin Plaza.

6 PM - 10 PM: All three lobbies inside the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts will be open to the public to enjoy an open house.

Free hot chocolate is provided on the plaza on Friday evening!

Saturday Schedule of Events:

6 PM - 10 PM: Escape the chill in the air to come inside the beautiful lobbies of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and see festive holiday decor.

The Raleigh Christmas Parade & A Christmas Story

On Saturday was the Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade and A Christmas Story had a float featured in the parade for the first time this year!

We also had the wonderful opportunity to promote the show on WRAL's morning news at 7:30 am. I brought Langdon Ogburn, who is starring as Ralphie, and Tim Caudle, who is starring as Ralph, in the production to have a quick morning chat with Kelcey Carlson.

Tim, Kelcey & Langdon

Before the interview, we stopped at Starbucks for some hot coffee since it was pretty cold outside! Some people actually stopped Langdon and said "You look like the kid from that movie...A Christmas Story!" And we informed them that yes, he was in fact playing Ralphie in A Christmas Story, running December 7-24 in A.J. Fletcher Theater. It was great that they knew exactly who he was!

After the interview, it was time for the first day of rehearsals. We gathered the cast together for the first time for a little meet & greet, coffee and doughnuts before they dove into the material.

Since this is the first time that we (producer Broadway Series South, co-producer Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy and NC Theatre, who are general managers on the show) have done the show, the set is brand new! Check out the model of the set pictured below. It is currently being built and painted. I can't wait to see the finished product!

For more information on A Christmas Story and to purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Katherine Fritsch & The Carolina Panthers

You might recognize Katherine or "KK" Fritsch from her various roles in North Carolina Theatre productions Annie, Peter Pan, Chess, Whistle Down the Wind, The Wizard of Oz andJoseph...Dreamcoat...or you may know her as the National Anthem singer for the Carolina Hurricanes. She also takes classes at the NC Theatre Conservatory - where she takes various classes to hone her skills and talents in acting, singing and dance.

Well, she recently sang the National Anthem for the Carolina Panthers in front of thousands of fans...check out some fun pictures below:

Congrats, KK! We look forward to hearing about additional exciting opportunities that will surely come your way.

A Christmas Story Cast Member on WRAL

Alexa Robertson is in the upcoming production, A Christmas Story, running December 7-24 in Fletcher Theater. She is also a student at our Conservatory and was in our recent productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella and Annie.

We are so proud of her for her accomplishments in the NYC workshop of the Broadway revival, Ruthless! We wish her the best of luck and hope we will get to travel to see her on BROADWAY one day in the near future.

Check out her fascinating and inspiring story that aired on WRAL last night:

Little Shop clips

If you haven't seen Little Shop of Horrors yet - here's a short, but sweet, montage of the show. You have 7 chances left - the show is playing now through Sunday, September 26th. Click here or call 919-831-6941 x6943 or xx6944 for tickets!

Enjoy!

Auditions for...

Director: Bill Burns; Musical Director: Edward G. Robinson; Artistic Director: Casey Hushion

Sunday, November 7th @ 1 PM

NC Theatre Studios: 3043 Barrow Drive Raleigh, NC 27616

Seeking adult male & female singers who move

All ethnicities encouraged to audition; only performers over 18 are being sought.

This is a professional production offering both Equity and non-Equity contracts.

All roles are paid.

Procedure: 1 PM start time for vocals; sign-in begins at 12 PM. No appointments or early sign-ups are taken. Performers auditioning go in based on sign-in order.

Please bring:

1. Headshot & resume stapled together front to back.

2. Sheet music in your key. Sing 16 bars of a musical theater selection that shows your range and best vocal ability. Be prepared to sing more if asked. Sight reading accompanist provided.

3. Attire for dance if asked to callbacks (see below under callbacks).

Callbacks: Final callbacks are the same day following the vocal auditions. Callbacks will involve movement and possibly reading - sides to be given day of. Movement portion of callbacks will be traditional theater dance. Strong rhythm a must. Men should bring dance sneakers or character shoes. Women should bring flats and heels. NO tap shoes are needed.

Performers will be notified on site if needed for callbacks.

Roles: All roles (principal and chorus) are open at this time. Many chorus specialty parts will be cast from the Ensemble. All adult roles are paid.

Rehearsals: Rehearsals are January 29th through February 11th. Performances are February 12th through February 20th. Local, non-Equity performers are not required to rehearse during the weekday daytime hours before 6 PM EXCEPT for February 9th, 10th and 11th when ALL cast are called from noon to midnight. NO CONFLICTS ARE ALLOWED FOR REHEARSALS OR PERFORMANCES.

Performances: Show runs February 12th through 20th, 2011. All performances are in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. See rehearsal and performance calendar for show dates.

Questions should be directed to Carolee Baxter, cbaxter@nctheatre.com or 919/831-6941 x6945.

The Producers, the Tony award-winning Broadway musical, tells the story of a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his nerdy young accountant who scheme to raise thousands of dollars from backers and then put up a flop of a show. With all the money that will be leftover, the pair will be rich! Only one thing goes wrong: the show is a gigantic hit! Based on the classic 1960s Mel Brooks film.

To receive our audition alerts:

1. subscribe to our blog

2. follow us on twitter

3. become a fan or 'like' us on facebook - search: North Carolina Theatre

Getting to Know SPARKcon

Here's a helpful video that shows the layout of all SPARKcon events going on this weekend, including theatreSPARK - a festival on Saturday that NC Theatre is a part of!

Dinner & Drama is back...at Little Shop!

&

proudly present

Dinner & Drama

You'd better eat your greens before they eat you...at one of three
Empire Eats restaurants!

Enjoy a lovely dinner, then experience the drama as it unfolds on the stage during Little Shop of Horrors!

Tuesday-Thursday | September 21-23

Make it a date night, girls' night out or a family affair - all for only $50* per person for a cultural night out that includes:

• one three-course, prix fixe dinner at The Duck & Dumpling, Gravy or Sitti in downtown Raleigh followed by
• one mezzanine ticket to NC Theatre's production of Little Shop of Horrors in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium starting at 8 PM

Call 919-831-6941 x6943 now to make your reservation for a fabulous meal and a memorable theatre experience! For more information, visit http://www.nctheatre.com/.

*(Retail value for this package is $80 per person)

Conditions: all seats are best available in mezzanine section subject to availability; cannot be applied to previously purchased tickets; dinner packages do not include beverages, tax or gratuity; restaurant reservations subject to availability. No refunds or exchanges, packages not redeemable for cash. Packages must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to dinner/performance.

Come to theatreSPARK this Saturday!

saturday | september 18th | 11 am to 5 pm

lichtin plaza | progress energy center for the performing arts

11 am | NC Theatre, Broadway Series South & Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy will hold an open casting call for ‘warm-up acts’ to appear prior to each performance of A Christmas Story during the holidays

12 pm | Burning Coal Theatre will devise a performance piece that ties, thematically, the southern classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and other works in its upcoming season to contemporary America

1 pm | Theatre in the Park will present “The Complete Work of Hamlet (abridged)” from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). Three brave actors brazenly blend the best of the brilliant Bard in this farcical feast of inspired lunacy

2 pm | Raleigh Little Theatre will perform scenes from And the Winner Is, co- produced with Actor’s Comedy Lab

3 pm | Barton College will conduct a participatory rehearsal of one of the most
Frightening and enduring tales of all time, William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth

4 pm | North Carolina Theatre Conservatory will perform the infamous musical
number, Thriller, then favorites from Broadway shows, Little Shop of Horrors and Hairspray

For more information on SPARKcon, click here. The festival is going on all weekend long and there are lots of different activities, venues and exciting things going on downtown Raleigh - including the opening of our production of Little Shop of Horrors, running September 18-26 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Click here for tickets!

A Christmas Story Cast

We are so excited to start a NEW holiday tradition in the Triangle this December with Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy and Broadway Series South!

We held auditions in July and are happy to announce a cast list comprised of the best local talent in the Raleigh area.

T. Philip Caudle: Ralph Parker

Carter Godwin: Randy

Carly Grissom: Roxanne

Hannah Hoskins: Mary Francis

Riley Hough: Scut Farkas

Nicholas Kraft: Brucie

Ethan Mohlmann: Grover Dill

Langdon Ogburn: Ralphie Parker

Michael Perez: Flick

Ahmad Ratliff: Schwartz

Katie Regittko: Helen Weathers

Alexa Robertson: Esther Jane Alberry

Sandi Sullivan: Miss Shields

Lauren Toney: Sarah

Andrea Schulz Twiss: Mother

Isabelle Twiss: Dottie

Bill Yates, Jr: Old Man

Collin Yates: William

Riley Yates: Winnie

A Christmas Story runs December 7-24 in Fletcher Opera Theater. Click here for tickets!

Little Shop of Horrors Cast List

Little Shop of Horrors runs September 18-26 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh, and will be directed by NCT artistic director, Casey Hushion. If you don't have tickets to this show yet, buy them now!

Here is a little bit of information about our fabulous cast...

NOAH PUTTERMAN* (Seymour) is thrilled and grateful to be back home at NC Theatre! NCT/Kids on Broadway: Chess, Wizard of Oz, South Pacific, Blood Brothers, Children of Eden, Pippin, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, Oliver, Joseph…Dreamcoat; Hope Summer Rep: Into the Woods (the Baker), A Year with Frog and Toad (Frog); Hot Summer Nights: Personals; Delta Boys: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Hedwig). A Raleigh native, Noah graduated from Enloe High School. Training: University of Minnesota / Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program.

GINA MILO* (Audrey) is thrilled to be making her NC Theatre debut with this fantastic cast! Broadway: Les Misérables (Eponine performed), Tours: Les Misérables, Annie ( Lily u/s) Best Little Whorehouse...(Ruby Rae) Off Broadway: For Christ’s Sake (Mary) New World Stages, Plagued (Cinderella) NYMF, Sorority Queen (Trudy) Soho Playhouse, Regional: For the Glory (Sara) Flatrock Playhouse, Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzy),Das Barbecu (Brunhilde) and Lucky Stiff (Anabelle) at MSW, Little Shop (Audrey) at both Casa Manana and the Engeman. TV: As the World Turns ( Mary Lou).

STEPHEN BERGER* (Mushnik) Broadway: Little Me, Laughter on the 23^rd, Floor, True West, The Dinner Party, Into the Woods and The Pajama Game. Off Broadway: Wonderful Town (NYC Opera), Being Audrey, A New Brain, That’s Life, Hellow Muddah, Hello Fadduh, Isn’t It Romantic and Nite Club Confidential. National Tours: Annie, Rumors and Ken Hill’s Phantom of the Opera. Regional Theatre: Denver Center Theatre Center, Fulton Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Cleveland Playhouse, Stage West, George Street Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Walnut Street Theatre,Berkshire Theatre Festival ,John W. Engeman Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Television: Several appearances on Law & Order.

EVAN CASEY* (Orin and Everybody Else) is pleased to be making his North Carolina Theatre debut. New York: River's End (NYMF). Recent credits include: Ford’s Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors (Orin and Everybody Else), Olney Theatre: Camelot (Mordred), Round House Theatre: Lord of the Flies (Jack). Regional credits include: Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre 2ndstage, New London Barn Playhouse. Film: Treasure Hunt, Jargon. TV: Missing Person’s Unit, Stage Fright. Training: Catholic University, London Dramatic Academy. Teaching: National Conservatory of Dramatic Art, Round House Theatre. Other: Capitol Steps.

REBECCA COVINGTON* (Street Urchin/Ronnette) info coming soon...

PARKER FITZGERALD* (Audrey II Manipulator) is thrilled to making his debut at the North Carolina Theatre. He is reprising his role as the puppeteer from last year’s Little Shop at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth Texas. In Fort Worth, he is a theatre student at Texas Wesleyan University. Some of his other roles include Huck Finn in Big River at Theatre Arlington and Senor Pirelli at the university.

MICHAEL JAMES LESLIE* (Voice of Audrey II) is Cornell Law graduate who made his theatrical debut in the 1977 Broadway revival of Hair. He then became the Lion in the original Broadway production of The Wiz repeating that role on tour. Michael originated the role of The Voice of the Plant in Little Shop of Horrors in Los Angeles, London, (Olivier Award for Best Musical,) and the recent Broadway production and National Tour. In December 2005, Michael was nominated Best Supporting Actor by the Denver Post Ovation Awards for the National Broadway Tour of Little Shop of Horrors. Recently, Michael was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical or Revue for Once on this Island at the Marriott Lincolnshire by the Black Theater Alliance of Chicago.

NATALIE RENEE* (Street Urchin/Crystal) is pleased to be making her NCT debut! National Tour: Hairspray (Dynamite), Rent (Seasons of Love Soloist/ Mrs. J). Regional: Aida (Aida), Ragtime (Sarah), Beehive (Jasmine), Hair (Dionne), Big River (Alice’s Daughter), Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal, Casa Manana), The Wedding Singer (Gateway Playhouse), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gateway Playhouse).

DANIELLE K. THOMAS* (Street Urchin/Chiffon) is happy to be here! Howard Grad (cum laude). Broadway: Avenue Q (final cast), Off Broadway: Avenue Q, National Tours: Avenue Q, Cinderella, European Tours: Hair, Little Shop, Jesus Christ Superstar. Regional: Burn the Floor, Suessical, Big River Film: CROOKLYN, Pop Foul (received Bend Film Festival: Best Supporting Actress Award-07') TV: Rescue Me.

Patron Testimonial

We attended the student preview of Annie. It was simply magnificent. I saw Annie three times during the original Broadway run. I was fortunate enough to see Miss McArdle as that sweet little girl with that huge voice who captured New York, so it was a real treat to see her play Miss Hannigan.

The principals, Mr. Newman as Warbucks and Ms. McArdle and Miss English as Annie delivered a brilliant performances. They so completely engaged the audience that one might have overlooked the standout chorus. But one couldn't. Hard Knock Life, an American classic, was made fresh and new and sparkling by your orphan chorus. This production's turn on Hooverville crept beneath the skin with its haunting images of good people broken by bad times. I have never seen it performed so powerfully.

One could really carry on about every chorus number in the show. From Annie's introduction to Warbucks' mansion, to FDR and his cabinet, to the NBC Studio and Your Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, including the orphan's reprise, the chorus was superb. That so many of the cast members have their roots in NC Theatre and its school speaks volumes for your organization.

NC Theatre's ability to assemble such a wonderful production is unparalleled. We have been in attendance for the past three seasons and continue to be dazzled. I look forward to each production, and I always expect to see a great show. But, each time, the productions surpass even my elevated expectations. I've been spoiled by your success.

Thank you for sharing these great musical theatre experiences with us.

Bravo

Hank Barsanti

Do you have a review of Annie or your experience that you would like to share with us? Email support@nctheatre.com and we will post it on the blog. Thanks!

The President Salutes Broadway!

President Barack Obama made the following remarks at the July 19 event at the White House saluting Broadway:

"Now there's nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music....It's one of the few genres of music that can inspire the same passion in an eight-year-old that it can an 80-year-old -- and make them both want to get up and dance....In many ways, the story of Broadway is also intertwined with the story of America. Some of the greatest singers and songwriters Broadway has ever known came to this country on a boat with nothing more than an idea in their head and a song in their heart. And they succeeded the same way that so many immigrants have succeeded -- through talent and hard work and sheer determination. Over the years, musicals have also been at the forefront of our social consciousness, challenging stereotypes, shaping our opinions about race and religion, death and disease, power and politics. But perhaps the most American part of this truly American art form is its optimism. Broadway music calls us to see the best in ourselves and in the world around us -- to believe that no matter how hopeless things may seem, the nice guy can still get the girl, the hero can still triumph over evil, and a brighter day can be waiting just around the bend."

ANNIE on TODAY

Andrea McArdle, who starred as Little Orphan Annie in the original Broadway production of Annie, is returning to the stage in North Carolina to play rotten orphanage matron Miss Hannigan. TODAY’s Al Roker takes a look.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sneak Peak of ANNIE

There are 8 more shows left:

July 27-30 @ 8 PM

July 31 @ 2 and 8 PM

August 1 @ 2 and 7 PM

You do not want to miss it!

Eat for the Arts!

Just in time for our summer production of Annie, dine at an Empire Eats restaurant on Monday, July 19th - ALL DAY - and they will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to North Carolina Theatre to support education, outreach and training!

Here are your delicious options:

The Duck & Dumpling

Gravy

The Morning Times

The Pit

The Raleigh Times Bar

Sitti

Just click on the restaurant name you would like to visit, and it will give you their address and menu options. You can even make a reservation online at some of the restaurants through Open Table!

NCT Conservatory students preview ANNIE at Raleigh's Farmers Market!

Wednesday the 30th students of the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory performed a preview of ANNIE!

Downtown Raleigh at the Framers Market 13 or our "conservatory orphans" equipped with buckets and dance moves brought a S-M-I-L-E to the faces of every one on Fayetteville St. singing a medley of songs from our upcoming production of ANNIE!

ANNIE Portrait

Cary artist, Pam Shank, graciously donated her time to photograph and paint a beautiful portrait of English Bernhardt - our 'Annie' - and Sandy! Here are some shots of her in action.

For more information on Pam Shank and her beautiful artwork, visit www.pamshankportraits.com.

Inside Look at FAME Rehearsals

Students who are in our Master STAS (Summer Theatre Arts School) production of FAME! The Musical have been taking master classes, workshops and rehearsing for their upcoming production, which runs July 8th through 11th at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh - near Triangle Towne Center.

Tickets are on sale now ($15 each) and are also available at the door! Call the Conservatory at 919-855-0015 to purchase yours in advance - you do not want to miss this great production. The kids have worked so hard and it is going to be a huge success! For more information on the production, visit www.nctheatre.com/conservatory/stas.html.

Some students sent in some photos from the rehearsal process - enjoy!

NCT Conservatory Students in NYC

On June 10^th, members of the NCT Conservatory Company classes made their 3^rd annual trip to NYC for 4 days of workshops, classes, Broadway shows, special celebrity guests and general “pigging out” NYC-style.

We all attended Promises, Promises and Memphis (two nights before it won the Tony) as a group, and then various shows on the final night including American Idiot, Next to Normal and Wicked.

Senior Company members were treated to a Memphis workshop with Raleigh and NCT’s own Charlie Williams. Junior Company members attended a Fosse workshop with Broadway veteran Carol Shuberg. All Company members attended a Hair workshop with original cast member Paris Remillard.

On Saturday morning we attended a musical theatre audition workshop with Phil Reno, Grammy nominated conductor and musical director of Promises, Promises. After the workshop ,the kids were “surprised” by a visit from Emmy and Tony award winner Kristin Chenoweth. Kristin met each student personally (to those who could still speak) and talked about her love of the theatre while passing on some words of motivation.

With Kristin Chenoweth

Introductions - they are all star struck

We had some great meals at Carmines and Broadway Joes and stayed right in Times Square at the Millenium Hotel. Tito Hernandez and I love experiencing our old “stomping grounds” with our students and getting the chance to share our friends and colleagues on Broadway with the kids.

Here are some more fun pictures while we were in NYC:

Taking a dance workshop

Everyone with Memphis's (and NCT's) Charlie Williams

NCT Conservatory student Kelsey Walston performing for her friends

Students and parents attending were:
Joy Polhemus
Tara Polhemus
Michelle Rashid
Lily Rashid
Shelby van Venrooy
Anna van Venrooy
Alexis van Venrooy
Kelsey Waslton
Miriam Davis
Meredith Davis
Suzanne Williamson
Logan Williamson
Lydia Leggett
Amy Glass
Brooke Wilson
Radhika Pasi
Laura Bottomley
Katie Bottomley
Anne Bell
Sarah Bell
Donna Gregory
Avery Hoerdemann
Kim Grissom
Carly Grissom
Page Link
Caleigh Link
Angela Simone
Gabby Simone
Lauren Richardson
Morgan Richardson
Haley Richardson
Katharine Richardson
John Richardson
Jack Richardson
Keith Shannon
Reed Shannon

Thanks to all participants and here’s to next years’ trip!!

Ray Walker