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!

Photo credits: Curtis Brown Photography

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!

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!

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.

Getting to Know "Annie"

I thought it would be fun to ask English Bernhardt, our "Annie", a few of her favorite things so we can get to know her a bit better!

Here's what she had to say:

Full Name: English Brewer Bernhardt

Age: 14 years old

Favorite food: pasta

Favorite subject in school: spanish

Hobbies: cooking, singing, dancing, drawing

Farthest place she has traveled: Europe

Person you'd most like to meet: Julie Andrews

Favorite movie: The Incredibles

Fun facts: left handed and she cannot physically wink!

ANNIE Cast Complete!

You've already met our adorable orphans and have hopefully heard the exciting news that Andrea McArdle is starring as "Miss Hannigan", now we are thrilled to announce that Robert Newman is joining our cast as "Oliver Warbucks"!

Robert Newman recently completed his 28 year run on the longest running show in broadcasting history, CBS's Guiding Light. He joined the cast as Joshua Lewis in 1981 and continued with the show right up until its final episode in September of 2009. The role garnered him two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2002 and 2006.

His recent theater credits include a six month run heading up the cast of the Off-Broadway musical Sessions at the Algonquin Theater in NYC, Shenandoah at the Barn Theater in Michigan, Nine at NSMT and A Little Night Music and The Full Monty at PCLO.

And...here's the rest of our fabulous ANNIE cast!

Katherine Anderson: Chorus
Kate Blain: Chorus
Joey Calveri*: Rooster

Tim Caudle*: Chorus/Lt. Ward/Morgenthau

Andrew Chappelle*: Chorus/Dog Catcher

Molly Deans: Chorus

Jennifer Frankel*: Chorus/Ronnie Boylan

Terri Gervais*: Chorus/Mrs. Pugh

Elgin Giles: Chorus

Eric Michael Gillett*: FDR

Laurel Harris*: Chorus/Connie Boylan/Star To Be

Brian Michael Hoffman*: Chorus/Bundles/Ickes/SFX Man

Heather Patterson King*: Chorus/Sophie/Perkins

Eric Mann: Chorus/Fred McCracken

Jeremy Mills: Chorus

Christy Morton*: Grace Farrell

Brian Norris*: Chorus/Bert Healy/Hull

Adrienne C. Perry: Chorus

Jennifer Swiderski*: Chorus/Bonnie Boylan

Tom Treadwell*: Chorus/Drake

Matthew-Jason Willis: Chorus/Howe

*Appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association

Meet Sandy

Mikey aka "Sandy" was discovered by his guardian and trainer William Berloni in the spring 2005 when he was three years old. Mikey was seized from a family who neglected him for the first three years of his live. When Mr. Berloni first adopted him, he had to be treated for
Heartworm disease which could have been fatal. Later in 2005 Mikey hit the road in the 30^th Anniversary tour of ANNIE as the understudy to “Sandy”.

After two years on the road, Mikey took over the role and has been starring in it for another two years. Mr. Berloni began his career having trained the original Sandy in the Broadway production of ANNIE in 1977. The original "Sandy", like all of Mr. Berloni’s performing dogs, was rescued from an animal shelter. In the proud tradition of ANNIE, Mikey carries on his mission to help the plight of unwanted animals by proving they all can be stars. Mikey is handled by his favorite handler, Patrick Peavy.

Mikey arrives in Raleigh in mid-July, just in time for NC Theatre's ANNIE rehearsals. Do you have your tickets yet? You do not want to miss this lovable mutt on stage...call the NC Theatre Box Office at 919-831-6941 x6944 with code 'ORPHAN' and get 20% off a Family Four (or more) Pack!

Andrea McArdle Works on "Maybe"

Our star of Annie, Andrea McArdle, gets a voice lesson from Seth Rudetsky - vocal coach to the stars. As I'm sure you already know, Andrea was the original orphan Annie on Broadway...and we are thrilled to have her on our stage this summer! Enjoy this clip and watch the Tony's on Sunday, June 13 at 8 PM on CBS!

Annie Around Town: Artsplosure 2010

English Bernhardt, our star of Annie, made her first performance this past weekend at Artsplosure. She performed on the main stage at 1:15 PM and sang "Maybe" and "Tomorrow." The crowd absolutely loved it! Here are a few photos with some of her new-found fans.

Do you have your tickets yet? This is going to be a fabulous show, running July 24-August 1. Click here to purchase online!

Meet the Orphans of NCT's ANNIE!

English Bernhardt* (Annie)

Katherine Fritsch* (July/Annie understudy)

Mary Kate Englehardt* (Molly)

Kelsey Healey* (Tessie)

Payton Prince* (Duffy)

Alexa Robertson* (Kate)

Kelsey Walston* (Pepper)

Allison Cochrane* (Orphan)

Grace DeLoache (Orphan)

Avery Hoerdemann* (Orphan)

Hannah Hoskins (Orphan)

Mary Callan Kelso* (Orphan)

Hayley Lundberg* (Orphan)

Alexis van Venrooy* (Orphan)

Cady van Venrooy* (Orphan)

*Denotes the actress takes classes at the NC Theatre Conservatory

ANNIE and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Auditions

ANNIE and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will be directed by NCT Artistic Director Casey Hushion. ANNIE runs July 24-August 1 and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS runs September 18-26.

ANNIE auditions for young female singers ages 5 to 13 in appearance are on Saturday, May 1st.

ANNIE auditions for male and female singers ages 21 and older in appearance are on Sunday, May 2nd.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS auditions for adults only may be requested for submission on www.nctheatre.com.

For all specific times and additional audition information such as sheet music requirements, rehearsal schedule and performance schedule, please click here.