The Show Does Go On Despite a Quiet Blog!

The month of April was especially busy for North Carolina Theatre as we worked through extensive planning and promoting of our groundbreaking 2012 season while putting up our second production of the year, Hello, Dolly! Despite an untimely injury by our leading lady, Ms. Cybill Shepherd, the brilliant North Carolina Theatre team turned on a dime and replaced her with Broadway veteran, Jacquelyn Piro Donovan. Opening weekend audiences showed their adulation for the new 'Dolly Gallagher Levi' and our outstanding cast with resounding ovations after each performance.

Feedback has also been overwhelmingly positive for our 2012 season that is a collaborative effort with Broadway Series South. In case you haven't heard, the line-up includes three tours: A Christmas Story, The Musical, Green Day's American Idiot and Les Miserables; one play produced by North Carolina Theatre: Steel Magnolias, and two musicals produced by North Carolina Theatre: Oliver! and Legally Blonde The Musical! We are excited to leverage our relationships and resources with Broadway Series South and Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy as we build on our mission-driven tradition of bringing world-class entertainment downtown to the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts!

Check out some photos taken by production photographer, Curtis Brown, during last week's dress rehearsal.

Stephen Godwin as Horace Vandergelder and cast of Hello, Dolly! in "It Takes A Woman"

Stephen Godwin as Horace Vandergelder and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Dolly Levi

Cast of Hello, Dolly! in "Put On Your Sunday Clothes"

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Dolly Levi

Harmonia Gardens

Dolly! Star Jacquelyn Piro Donovan sings Hello, Dolly!

Cast of Hello, Dolly!

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Dolly Levi

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Dolly Levi

There are six performances of Hello, Dolly! left - come see the show! Visit www.nctheatre.com for tickets.

Remaning performances:

Tuesday, May 10: 8 PM

Wednesday, May 11: 8 PM

Thursday, May 12: 8 PM

Friday, May 13: 8 PM

Saturday, May 14: 2 PM

Saturday, May 14: 8 PM

Hairspray Local Auditions

LOCAL AUDITIONS FOR

Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Music by Marc Shaiman. Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. Based on the New Line Cinema Film written and directed by John Waters.

Director: John Simpkins. Music Director: Edward G. Robinson. Choreographer: Josh Rhodes.

DATE/TIME: Sunday, April 3^rd. Sign in begins at 10:30am. Vocal auditions will begin at 11:00am. Callbacks begin at 3:00pm with dance. Principal callbacks will follow. No appointments; no alternate auditions in NC. You must be signed in by noon to be guaranteed an audition spot.

AUDITION LOCATION: NC Theatre Studios/Conservatory for the Performing Arts. 3043 Barrow Drive, Raleigh NC 27616.

PROCEDURE: Sign in at desk and hand in photo and resume stapled together then wait for name to be called. Bring sheet music and prepare to sing best 8 to 16 bars then more if asked. Bring soft soled or dance shoes and clothing to dance in if asked to callbacks. ALL AUDITIONING MUST HAVE PHOTO, RESUME AND SHEET MUSIC.

Seeking to cast adults of all ethnicities, teens of all ethnicities who look 16 to 18 years old and one young African American girl age 7 to 12 in appearance. All must be strong singers. Teens must be strong movers/dancers. All roles are open. Both Equity and non-Equity performers are being sought. Cast size: 28. Please see information on roles and chorus listed below.

Tracy Turnblad: Female lead, mezzo, strong pop belt singer, strong dancer/mover. Overweight and pleasant looking, outgoing, good-hearted high schooler.

Edna Turnblad: Male supporting playing female, tenor. Mother of Tracy. Larger than life character actor with strong vocal, acting and comic ability. Large physique, sincere and honest.

Link Larkin: Male supporting, pop baritone, strong mover. Handsome heartthrob of the local TV teen dance show. Clean-cut and good-hearted high schooler.

Corny Collins: Male supporting, pop tenor, strong mover. TV show host.

Penny Pingleton: Female supporting, belt, good mover. Ditzy, neurotic high schooler. Tracy's best friend.

Amber Von Tussle: Female supporting, belt, strong dancer. Conniving, selfish, falsely perky high schooler.

Velma Von Tussle: Female supporting, belt, good comic actress who sings well. Ex beauty queen, sweet-seeming villainess. Amber's mother; producer of TV show.

Wilbur Turnblad: Male cameo, baritone, character actor, moves well. Tracy's lovable dad who owns a joke store.

Seaweed J. Stubbs: Male supporting, pop tenor, strong dancer/singer. Easing going, street smart attractive African American high schooler.

Motormouth Mabel: Female supporting, strong soulful, gospel/pop singer. African American radio DJ. Infectious, brassy personality.

Little Inez: Young African American girl (age 7 to 12 in appearance.) Seaweed's lovable little sister. Spunky, tough, streetwise, outgoing. Soulful voice, strong belt, great mover;

Ensemble: Many strong dancers and movers are needed for the ensemble for dance show scenes. Ensemble also includes The Dynamites, Newscaster Voice Over, other chorus specialties.

HAIRSPRAY begins rehearsal on Saturday, July 9th 2011. Show runs July 23rd – 31st, 2011 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. NO CONFLICTS ALLOWED.

Patron Spotlight: "Play Dates"

My name is Jane. This past Christmas, my son-in-law, Brad, and his friend, Roger, conspired and gave their wives, Stephanie and Lorrie, "Play Dates".

Stephanie and Lorrie

It was pre-planned for the ladies to open their gifts simultaneously in their respective homes by their daughters calling each other on Christmas morning. They put their moms on the phone for a quick "hi" and the husbands handed each of them a gift. Seeming to be an odd interruption, they cooperated and opened their presents.

Needless to say, this was such a thoughtful "hit" - pardon the "play" on words. Each received a dress circle ticket to NC Theatre's 2011 Blockbuster Broadway Series - what a great "play date" for ladies!

I plan to take my granddaughters, Isabelle and Emma, and Lorrie's daughter to see Hairspray as part of the Target Student Preview Night offer.

Theatre tickets are the perfect gift for a girls night out, follow Jane's lead and purchase a "play date" for your mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, etc! For personalized service call the NC Theatre Box Office at 919-831-6941 x6944 or x6943.

Producers Spotlight: Interview with NBC-17

Michael McCormick, who stars as Max Bialystock, and Stacey Todd Holt, who stars as Leo Bloom, talk The Producers with NBC-17.

Producers Spotlight: Dress Rehearsal Pictures

The dress rehearsal for The Producers was last night and it went really well! Curtis Brown came and took some incredible shots - check them out below and come see the show! It opens tomorrow!

Michael McCormick as Max Bialystock in "King of Broadway"

"King of Broadway"

"King of Broadway"

"Did you bring the checkee?"

Stacey Todd Holt as "Leo Bloom" - he's come up with a great scheme

"I Wanna Be A Producer"

They found their flop - "Springtime for Hitler"

Steven Ted Beckler as "Franz" and his pigeon

Christopher Sloan as "Carmen Ghia"

Start Marland as "Roger DeBris"

Lara Seibert as "Ulla" in "When You Got It, Flaunt It"

Little Old Lady Land

They got enough checkees to produce the show

Opening Night of "Springtime for Hitler"

"Springtime for Hitler" is a hit!

Let's go to Rio!

"Ulla" back from Rio

"Max" & "Leo" sing "'Til Him"

Broadway producers

The End

The Producers opens Saturday, February 12th and runs through Sunday, February 20th - with ten chances to see the show!

2/12: 8 PM

2/13: 2 PM

2/15: 8 PM

2/16: 8 PM

2/17: 8 PM

2/18: 8 PM

2/19: 2 PM

2/19: 8 PM

2/20: 2 PM

2/20: 7 PM

Great seats are still available! Purchase online or call 919-831-6941 x6944 or x6943.

Producers Spotlight: Cast List

We have an amazing cast for The Producers. The show opens this Saturday - February 12th and runs through the following Sunday, February 20th. There is no show on Valentine's Day, but makes the Valentine's Day gift!

Introducing...

MICHAEL MCCORMICK* (Max Bialystock) Broadway: Elf (Mr. Greenway), Curtains (Oscar Shapiro), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Pajama Game, Kiss Me Kate (1^st Gangster), 1776 (John Adams), Sam Mendes’ Gypsy, Marie Christine, Kiss of the Spider Woman, La Bete. Recent Off-B’way: Tin Pan Alley Rag (Roundabout), A Man of No Importance (LTC). City Center Encores! (most recent) Fanny and Babes in Arms. Nat’l Tours: The Producers (Franz Leibkind), Les Miserables (Thenardier), Kiss of the Spider Woman” (Warden). Recent TV: all three of the Law & Order series, Candide and My Favorite Broadway (PBS). Film: The Producers, A Very Serious Person. Member of AEA since his 1965 Broadway debut in Oliver! Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife, Alison, and son, Dylan.

STACEY TODD HOLT* (Leo Bloom) appeared on Broadway as the Leo Bloom understudy opposite six different Max's over a period of six years. He also served as Mathew Broderick's stand in during the filming of the movie The Producers. Other Broadway credits include, most recently, the holiday hit musical Elf as well as Cry-Baby, The Drowsy Chaperone, Contact, Big, and Crazy For You. National Tours include Young Frankenstein, Contact, Crazy For You and 42nd Street.

STUART MARLAND* (Roger DeBris) Broadway: Xanadu (understudy for Tony Roberts), ‘Lumiere’ in Beauty and the Beast, ‘General Lord Glossop’ in Jekyll & Hyde and Cyrano - The Musical. National Tours: ‘Roger DeBris’ in The Producers, ‘General Genghis Kahn Schmitz’ in Seussical with Cathy Rigby, Ragtime, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Sarah Brightman, The Who’s Tommy, A Chorus Line, Sophisticated Ladies and The King and I with Rudolf Nureyev. Regional and Stock: ‘Thenardier’ in Les Miserables, ‘Bobby Franklyn’ in Run For Your Wife, ‘The Captain/Hennessy’ in Dames at Sea. At NCT: ‘Dr. Carrasco’ in Man of La Mancha and ‘Juan Peron’ in Evita. This Spring: Tales of the City - The Musical World Premiere at A.C.T. in San Francisco.

STEVEN TED BECKLER* (Franz Liebkind) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association for 22 years. Broadway credits: The Most Happy Fella – Lincoln Center (Pasqualle standby), Beauty and the Beast (Wed. matinees Gaston, Beast understudy). National Tours: Original Cast of The Producers – Las Vegas Co. (Max, Roger and Franz understudy), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular – The Grand Ole Opry (Santa Claus), The Producers Leo Co. (Franz & Roger understudy), Beauty and the Beast LA (Beast standby, Gaston understudy). Off-Broadway: Tovarich – The Vital Theatre, Little Kit – The Vineyard Theatre. Regional: Over 30 musicals across the country. TV/Film & several national commercials. These performances are dedicated to Steven’s wife, Kristin, for giving him a beautiful son, Quinn Jared Allen Beckler – 2/9/10.

LARA SEIBERT* (Ulla) is a Dallas native. Broadway: Young Frankenstein (Inga u/s); National Tours: Young Frankenstein, The Producers (Ulla u/s); Regional: Janet in Drowsy Chaperone, Irene in Crazy For You (Maine State Music Theater), Florrie in Panama Hattie, Luciana in Comedy of Errors (Dallas Shakespeare). Thanks to God, family, and Frontier.

CHRISTOPHER SLOAN* (Carmen Ghia) is so happy to return to NCT where he’s played The Emcee opposite Deborah Gibson in Cabaret and The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. National Tours: Cabaret (Emcee) and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Off-Broadway: JOY (Gabriel) and The Play About the Naked Guy (T. Scott). Other NYC: All Shook Up (pre-Broadway), Insomnia and Richard Rodgers’ Broadway. Some Regional: Several productions as the Emcee in Cabaret, a couple productions of Joseph…and a West Side Story! TV/Film: Night of Too Many Stars on Comedy Central (Gay Stephen Colbert), As the World Turns (Cyndi Lauper’s manager), Guiding Light (Greg the flamboyant hotel manager) and Caroline By Committee (NFF Award-Best Short Film).

ALEXANDER AGUILAR* (Chorus) is very excited to be making his NCT debut! A recent graduate of The University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, his previous credits include Mike in A Chorus Line and Giuseppe in The Light in the Piazza at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire. He would like to thank his friends, family, and everyone at Nicolosi and Co. for all of their love and support. Proud member of AEA!

NICOLE BATALIAS (Chorus) is delighted to be performing with NCT again. Nicole was a Radio City Rockette, seen in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, as well as The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She was last seen as a Shark Girl in NCT’s West Side Story. Some other credits include Funny Girl at the Paper Mill Playhouse as well as Cabaret, A Christmas Carol and Snow Queen. Nicole is currently a full time dance instructor at the Barriskill Dance Theatre School in Durham. She would like to thank her amazing husband, Ryan, her wonderful parents and her super-supportive (and fabulous) bosses, Michael Barriskill and Elliot Pack.

BREE BRANKER* (Chorus) is delighted to return to NCT! NYC/TOUR: Finian's Rainbow and Girl Crazy at City Center Encores!, Spamalot (1st National), West Side Story (Asia/Europe), White Christmas, Will Rogers Follies, Radio City Rockettes, Cirque du Soleil. REGIONAL: Walnut Street, Maine State, Fulton Opera, Atlanta TOTS, Pioneer, North Shore, North Carolina. FILM/TV: Louis, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, VMA's starring Ne-Yo, Gossip Girl, The City. Graduate of NC School of the Arts. www.breebranker.com

SARAH BURNS* (Chorus) is very excited to be a part of North Carolina Theatre’s production of The Producers! Recent credits: Diane Lorimer in 42^nd Street (Riverside Theatre), The Producers (Westchester Broadway Theatre and Gateway Playhouse) and Lorraine in 42^nd Street (Atlantic City). She was also a principal dancer in a Japanese Chocolate commercial that featured Hello Kitty this past year. Love and endless thanks to her amazing Mom and Dad!

THAY FLOYD* (Chorus): NCT debut!! New York: Treaty 321! (Lucille Lortel), Valentino (American Theatre of Actors), Angels In America (Currican, A Theatre), Radium (Jewel Box). Regional: A Chorus Line x4 (Richie), Chicago (Aaron), Ain't Misbehavin' (Andre), Tommy (Acid Queen), La Cage (Chantal), Ragtime (Pas de Deux) and 2 years on The Producer's National Tour. BFA: NYU/ CAP21. Thay would like to thank his darling parents, Chris at KGA, the entire NCT family, and of course Mr. Burns.

TYLER FOY* (Chorus) is thrilled to be making his NCT debut! Recent credits include: My Fair Lady and Chicago at Maine State Music Theatre, Spamalot at The Fulton Opera House, On the Town at Paper Mill Playhouse, 42nd Street at Riverside Theatre, George in The Drowsy Chaperone, Hortensio in Kiss Me Kate, Sketch in Hairspray, Grantaire in Les Miserables, all at MTWichita. Many thanks to Casey, Bill, Jennifer and everyone at NCT. OCU Grad. Live, Dream, Love!

IAN GLEASON (Chorus/Lead Tenor) NCT debut! Regional favorites include: Josiah Bartlett, 1776 (Paper Mill); Lead Tenor, The Producers, Courfeyrac, Les Miserables (Ogunquit); Krupke, West Side Story (MSMT); Danny, Baby (Good Theater Co). TV: Forensic Files, truTV. Film: Wall Street II. Ian is also the quiz game host on the nationally syndicated Lex and Terry Radio Show. Ian thanks God, friends and family for all of their love and support. Psalms 105:2

ERICA HAMILTON* (Chorus) is thrilled to be making her NCT debut! Originally from Rockville, MD she is a graduate of Wake Forest University. Theatrical credits include the 2^nd national tour and Las Vegas companies of The Producers. Regional favorites include: Charity in Anything Goes, Judy Turner in A Chorus Line and Martha in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. Love to family, friends and Nate.

KINSIE HOWELL (Chorus) is so excited to be back home performing with NCT. A recent graduate of East Carolina University she is now living in New York pursuing her career. Recent performances include ECU Summer Stock Theatre, ECU’s The Wild Party-Queenie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and NCT’s Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat. I am so thankful to God, my family and friends, but especially my angels- my Grandparents!

LISA JOLLEY* (Chorus) Broadway: Hairspray. Off-Bway/Regional: Jeff Whitty’s The Plank Project (Kraine), The King Stag (Yale Rep), Sweeney Todd (Paper Mill), Don’t Quit Your Night Job. In Raleigh: Sylvia, The Great American Trailer Park Musical (HSN/Kennedy). Improv: Boom Chicago (Amsterdam), UCB Theater, Chicago City Limits (NYC). Solo show: Jolley on the Spot, (NYC, LA, and many national festivals). TV/Film: Law and Order: SVU, Hope and Faith, Sex and the City, As the World Turns.

SHARI JORDAN* (Chorus) Originally from Raleigh, NC and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of NCSU, Shari is thrilled to be back home at NCT. Shari performed Ulla (and every other female role!) opposite Tony Danza in the Las Vegas production of The Producers. National Tours: The Producers (Dance Captain, Ulla u/s), Crazy For You (Tess), Steel Pier (Rita & Shelby u/s). Other: Radio City Rockette, Gypsy (Louise), Will Rogers Follies (Z’s Favorite), NCT’s Grease (Patty Simcox) and a National Champion baton twirler. Film: The Producers. Shari was Assistant Director & Choreographer of The Producers at Pittsburgh’s CLO and North Shore Music Theater. Favorite roles: Wife to AJ and Mommy to Jordan.

MEREDITH JONES (Chorus) A recent graduate of Emerson College's MT program, this is Meredith’s 4^th show with NCT but it’s been a while since she’s been able to grace this lovely stage, so she’s very excited to be back and working with these wonderful people. You saw her last in Chess and Camelot with the beautiful Debby Boone. Most recently Meredith played Julie Jordan in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at RMRT. Check out her solo CD on itunes.com

JUDY LONG (Chorus) is thrilled to be back! She just finished directing The Sound of Music after having been in it twice at NCT. Although she has many credits, some of her favorites include The Vagina Monologues, The Fantasticks, Guys and Dolls, Grease and Romeo and Juliet. Many thanks to Carolee and everyone at NCT who still make this the best gig in town. And thank you to you, the audience, who continue to support the Arts at NCT. ( * )

JEREMY MILLS (Chorus) A native and current resident of Raleigh and graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, Jeremy is thrilled to be a part of yet another great NCT production. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this loving and talented group of artists and collaborators. Thanks to Bonnie for her undying love and support, and Justin and Teresa for the laughter, friendship and love.”

RYAN NAIMY (Chorus) is thrilled to be making his North Carolina Theatre debut with The Producers! He has performed on a Disney ship, toured the country with Curious George and has even played a dog. And a pig. Some favorite roles: Jack in Into the Woods, Frankie in Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings, John in john & jen. Thank you to MDJJ and DB for their unending support!

A.J. SULLIVAN* (Chorus) is thrilled to be returning to NCT.AJ was last seen as Bundles in Annie with Joanna Pacitti. A graduate of Niagara University, AJ has traveled the US performing in 49 of the 50 states! Some favorite roles include: Bela Zangler in Crazy For You; Dr. Dussell in The Diary of Anne Frank; Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz; and Jeff in Brigadoon. Favorite role: Dada to Jordan!

MACKENZIE WARREN* (Chorus) is delighted to visit little old lady land once again. She is a proud grad of the University of Oklahoma! Regional credits: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman (Dallas Theater Center); The Producers (Kansas City Starlight and MT Wichita); Camelot, Kiss Me Kate, The Drowsy Chaperone, Miss Saigon (MT Wichita). University credits: A Chorus Line (Cassie), Baby (Pam), Anything Goes. Praise to my Savior and endless thanks to my family, friends, The Mine and MTX!

MATTHEW-JASON WILLIS (Chorus) ecstatically returns to NCT where he was last seen in Annie (Louis Howe). Favorites include Angles in America (Louis Ironson), Big River (Huck), West Side Story (Riff), The Full Monty (Ethan), A Chorus Line (Paul), La Cage...(Phaedra), Oklahoma! (Curly) and Into The Woods (Wolf/Cinderella's Prince). MJ recently directed the smash hit Tell Me on A Sunday starring Lauren Kennedy. Thanks to Carolee, Bill, Eddy and everyone at NCT.