Friday, January 21, 2011

Producers Spotlight: From the North Pole Straight to Raleigh

People are always asking about the process of casting and how it all comes together. The goal is always the same - to blend the best of Broadway with our fine local artists to create the best production we are capable of presenting. Our cast of The Producers tells that story well and is an exciting reflection of our direct link to the current Broadway community.

This winter, I had been working as the Associate Director of the new Broadway show, Elf. I was sitting in rehearsal one day at 42nd Street Studios, laughing at Michael McCormick killing his scene as Mr. Greenway and I thought to myself - I wonder if we could ever get him to come down and do Producers? Michael has been in over ten Broadway productions and is possibly best known for his incredible portray of John Adams in 1776, and most recently for starring in Curtains. You can imagine how excited I was when he said he was interested. Not only that, but he had been here many years ago, playing the Emcee in Cabaret, and had very fond memories of NCT!

Michael McCormick

Yet another Elf cast member seemed to be a perfect fit for our show - Stacey Todd Holt, veteran of the Broadway company of Producers, as well as Contact, Big and Crazy for You. We had a similar conversation in rehearsal and luckily, he too was intrigued by the idea of doing a show like The Producers again.



Cut to a few weeks later, Producer Carolee Baxter and I are in auditions with our director, Bill Burns. Bill has a rich history with the original Producers so great performers were coming out of the wood work, due to the integrity they knew he would bring to the show. Michael and Stacey graciously came in to audition for us and blew us all away. They had even been rehearsing their audition together in the dressing rooms at the Hirschfeld Theatre during the Elf run! I felt like we had been treated to a ten-minute private performance, more than an audition. We were laughing until our sides hurt and in that moment, I knew this production of Producers was going to be something special.

Elf opened on Broadway during the holiday season of 2010

Michael McCormick, on the far left, takes his bow at the Elf curtain call

Add to this, returning NCT favorites like Chris Sloan (another former NCT Cabaret Emcee!) and new faces such as rising star Lara Siebert as Ulla – and trust me, if that ten minutes was any indication, I can personally guarantee that you are not going to want to miss this one.

P. S. Also an alum of the Elf company. Matt Loehr will be joining us as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! Matt's resume is as long as my arm (Broadway: Promises, Promises, Marry Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Movin Out , The Producers) and he is one of my absolute favorite performers. We are delighted to have him on our stage this spring!

-Casey Hushion, NC Theatre Artistic Director

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Audition Spotlight: Hello, Dolly!

Auditions for Hello, Dolly! will be on Sunday, February 13th at 2 PM at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh (near Triangle Towne Center).


Hello, Dolly! will be directed by NC Theatre Artistic Director, Casey Hushion. The theatre is seeking to cast adult male and female singers. This audition is only open to strong singers over the age of 18. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition. This is a professional production offering both Equity and non-Equity contracts. All adult roles are paid.

Audition procedure:
  • 1:30 PM - sign-in begins
  • 2:00 PM - vocal auditions begin
  • no appointments or early signups are taken
  • performers will audition in the sign-in order
  • callbacks will be the same evening following the vocal auditions and will involve movement and possible reading
  • you will be notified the day of the audition if you will need to stay for callbacks
Please bring:
  • headshot and resume stapled together front to back
  • sheet music in your key; be prepared to 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
  • attire for moving if asked to callbacks
Hello, Dolly! runs May 7-15 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. There are no conflicts for rehearsals or performances allowed. For rehearsal schedule, complete show schedule and all other audition procedures, please click here.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Conservatory Spotlight: Master STAS Auditions

This summer, the Master STAS production will be All Shook Up. Auditions are this Saturday, January 22nd at 1:30 PM at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh. The production will be directed and choreographed by Tito Hernandez.

The Conservatory is seeking male and female singers and dancers, ages 13 to 21, for the hit musical sensation All Shook Up inspired by and featuring songs of the late Elvis Presley. Several principal, supporting and ensemble roles are available.

If you are interested in auditioning, here's what you need to know:
  • be prepared to sing 32 bars of music that best shows your ability and range, preferably in the style of the show
  • a piano accompanist is provided
  • please have sheet music in your key
  • you will learn a dance combination following your vocal audition so please bring appropriate attire and be prepared to dance
Rehearsal and show information:
  • rehearsals will run July 18-August 10
  • performances are August 11-14
  • no conflicts allowed
  • if you would like to audition for NC Theatre's production of Hairspray and are cast in that production as well, the rehearsal and show schedule will work so that you are able to do both productions at the same time
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Mary Adamek at 919-855-9960 or email madamek@nctheatre.com. For more information, click here.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Two Pairs is Better than One with His & Hurricanes!

NC Theatre is teaming up with the Carolina Hurricanes for a double-dose of drama...on stage and on the ice! We call it the...wait for it...His & Hurricanes package. We know. It's that good.

We already have a great partnership with the Hurricanes. In fact, they've donated $5,000 to NC Theatre through their Kids 'N Community Foundation! But after talking with their marketing folks, we knew we had a great opportunity to introduce their audience to us, and vice versa!

Here's the deal:

You make one phone call, and you buy a pair of tickets to a select 'Canes game...and a pair of tickets to ANY NC Theatre show in our blockbuster 2011 season! Something for him, and something for her!

The total cost for this great package is only $199 - and the deal comes just in time for couples looking for the perfect Valentine's day gift! the value is $300, so you get two great dates and a great deal. What's not to love about that?!

You can only get the His & Hurricanes package by calling 919-831-6941 x6943. And you have to hurry - because the offer only runs through February 14th.

It's one sweetheart of a deal - and it just goes to show...two pairs are better than one!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

NC Theatre Productions Honored

We are excited to announce that two of our productions made it in the Top 10 Home-Grown Productions in Triangle Arts & Entertainment's list - The Full Monty starring Sally Struthers and Ira David Wood III and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Sally Struthers as Jeanette Burmeister in The Full Monty

Cast of Cinderella

Our music director/conductor, Edward G. Robinson, received a mention for Best Musical Direction in Independent Weekly's The Year in Triangle Theater.

Andrea McArdle as Miss Hannigan in Annie

Congratulations to the cast and crew of all of our past productions. We are looking forward to an exciting, new year and producing a new round of Broadway blockbusters!

Our 2011 season: The Producers (February 12-20), Hello, Dolly! (May 7-15), Hairspray (July 23-31), Evita (October 22-30). All performances are in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. We hope you'll make it one of your resolutions to attend a cultural event - like a Broadway production at NC Theatre this year!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Starry Night

In December North Carolina Theatre, along with several other arts groups, lit up your holidayson Lichtin Plaza.

Check out a cool picture taken after the snow we got over the holidays!

Photo via Goodnight Raleigh.