Parkway Playhouse

PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS VALENTINE’S DAY CABARET AT HIGGINS MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH

 The Parkway Playhouse will present a Valentine’s Day Cabaret performance at the Higgins Methodist Memorial Church’s Family Life Center on Friday February 12 and Saturday February 13. The doors will open at 7:00pm and tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students 16 and under. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Parkway Playhouse. The evening will include coffee and decadent deserts and performances of songs from a number of Broadway shows ranging from the classic Phantom of the Opera to the recent Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5. Tickets are available by calling the Parkway Playhouse at 828-682-4285 and leaving a message. Tickets are available 24 hours a day at the Parkway Playhouse website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com.

Performers at the event, which will be hosted by the Parkway Playhouse Board of Directors, include area favorites and Parkway Playhouse regulars like Dominic Aquilino, Noah Gavenus, Izzie Hilbert, Debbie Phillips, Ronnie Robertson, as well as some new faces.

A highlight of the evening will be the debut of some of the world premiere musical The Ballad of Tom Dooley which will open at the Parkway Playhouse in the upcoming summer season.

“Each year we get the opportunity to look at a lot of different musicals and then we have to narrow it down to just a few and this is a great way to bring some of that great music to our audience” commented Parkway Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Gall. “Musicals are popular with our audience, and this is a great way to visit some old favorites as well as experience something new and fun.”

In addition to the entertainment, guests will have the opportunity to purchase Parkway Playhouse 2010 Season Passes and enjoy coffee and decadent deserts.

For more information about The Valentine’s Day Cabaret or the upcoming 2010 Parkway Playhouse season please call the Parkway Playhouse at 828-682-4285 or visit the Parkway Playhouse website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com.

THE PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES OPEN AUDITIONS FOR ITS 64th SEASON

 The Parkway Playhouse will hold open auditions in Burnsville for the plays and musicals scheduled for its 63rd Season on March 13th and 20th starting at 10am, and March 28 starting at 2pm at the Mountain Heritage Center in Burnsville, NC. Additionally, the Parkway Playhouse will have a representative at the WNC Unified Auditions at AB Tech Community College on February 19 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm for actors aged 17 and under and on Saturday February 20 from 10am to 5pm. People with questions about the audition process are encouraged to contact the theatre at 828-682-4285 or send an email to info@parkwayplayhouse.com.

The Parkway Playhouse is also seeking musicians for orchestra and band positions as well as staff for the theatres box office, production office, and scene shop.

“The Parkway Playhouse is very much a ‘teaching theatre’”; commented producing Artistic Director Andrew Gall. “For decades the Parkway Playhouse has brought together established professional artists, pre-professional students and lifelong learners to create the productions that have been entertaining thousands each year since 1947. We are one of the oldest theatre companies in the region and have a long history of excellence. We encourage and welcome anyone who wants to be involved. Scripts are available to review and we encourage all interested actors to become familiar with the plays before auditioning. “

All auditions will be held at the Mountain Heritage Center in Burnsville, located at 113 Green Mountain Drive.

Auditions on Saturday March 13 will start at 10:00 AM and will be to cast adults aged 15 and up in the musicals Annie, Guys and Dolls, and the world premiere folk musical The Ballad of Tom Dooley. Actors being considered for these shows will be asked to sing a short piece of music, participate in a short dance audition, and read a short scene from the show.

On Saturday, March 20, casting for children aged 7-14 will start at 10am. Most of the children’s roles are in the production of Annie which calls for 7 girl orphans – including the title role. Additional roles for children of various ages are in Guys and Dolls. Children wishing to be considered for a major speaking/singing role should learn the song “ Tomorrow” from Annie or “Luck be a Lady” from Guys and Dolls. No adults will be read on this date. Parents with questions about the audition process are encouraged to contact the theatre before March 20th.

The non-musicals, Leaving Iowa and Pride and Prejudice will have open auditions on Sunday March 28, starting at 2:00pm. Actors wishing to be cast for roles in these productions will be asked to read scenes from the shows with other actors.

Information about all of these shows, including more detailed audition and calendar information can be found on the Parkway Playhouse website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com.. Scripts are available at the TRAC Gallery in Spruce Pine and Burnsville, as well as the Parkway Playhouse office located in the Mountain Heritage Center across from the theatre.

For more information about the Parkway Playhouse, its 2010 season, performances, or becoming a sponsor, please call the Parkway Playhouse office at 828-682-4285 or visit the Parkway Playhouse website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com.

THE PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES ITS 2010 SEASON

 Parkway Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Gall, has announced plans for the 2010 Parkway Playhouse Theatre Season. The 2010 season will be the theatre’s 64th Season and includes a world premiere Appalachian musical, 2 Broadway classics, a hilarious family comedy, and one of the most engaging and beloved romantic comedies of all time. Season passes will be available as of Friday February 12 and can be purchased by calling 828-682-4285 or visiting the Parkway Playhouse Website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com

The Parkway Playhouse’s 64th season will open on June 4 with the nostalgic comedy Leaving Iowa; a comedic ode to the family car-trip/vacation. Penned by stand-up comments Spike Manton Leaving Iowa is about a family patriarch who zealously pursues the ultimate family vacation.
Opening on June 25, is Annie, the Tony-Award winning Broadway musical adaptation of the world-famous red-haired orphan from the comic strip and classic radio show. Taking place against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the story of Annie is a spirited and inspiring musical spectacle that features the fireplug heroine and an instantly recognizable score.

Following Annie on July 23 is another classic Broadway Musical Guys and Dolls. Based on the clever stories by Damon Runyon, Guys and Dolls is a landmark musical comedy that continues to delight audiences over 50 years after its Broadway premiere. Featuring the songs "Luck be a Lady" and "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat," this musical is the perfect balance of story, dance, music, and romance.
The Ballad of Tom Dooley, a new bluegrass musical, will open at the Parkway Playhouse on August 13. Based on an unsolved murder that took place in North Carolina at the end of the Civil War, The Ballad of Tom Dooley explores a legend that has captivated the imagination of thousands for over a century.

A sparkling and lively adaptation of Jane Austen’s witty and hugely popular romantic comedy, Pride and Prejudice will close out the Parkway Playhouse’s season. Opening on August 27, the timeless story of the turbulent courtship of the outspoken Elizabeth Bennett and the high-born Mr. Darcy makes comes to vivid life in this spirited adaptation.

Season Passes to the 2010 Parkway Playhouse season will go on sale on February 12 and subscription packages will start at $80.00. Tickets to individual performances will go on sale in late May when the Parkway Playhouse box office opens to the general public. 2010 individual ticket prices will range from $10-$22. Discounts for senior citizens, students, active military, groups of 10 or more will be available.

For more information about the Parkway Playhouse, its 2010 season, performances, or becoming a sponsor, please call the Parkway Playhouse office at 828-682-4285 or visit the Parkway Playhouse website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com

 

PARKWAY PLAYHOUSE GETS INCREASED STATE FUNDING AND NEW ROOF 

 The Parkway Playhouse has received $60,000 in grants that will allow the historic theatre company to continue to grow its audience, develop a long term strategy, and enhance the historic Parkway Playhouse Theatre facility. 

The grants were awarded by two private North Carolina based foundations; the Cannon Foundation located in Concord, which contributed $10,000 towards the completion of a new roof for the Parkway Playhouse facility; and the Phillips Family Foundation based in Spruce Pine which awarded up to $40,000 towards a new roof as well.   In addition, the North Carolina Arts Council awarded the Parkway Playhouse a $7,500 Arts and Audience grant which will go towards projects that will expand the audience of the theatre and a $3000 grant for the theater to receive on-site strategic consulting from Nello McDaniel of the New York based firm Arts Action Research.   

“We are incredibly grateful to the Phillips Family Foundation, the Cannon Foundation, and the North Carolina Arts Council for their support of the Parkway Playhouse and its value as a cultural resource not just in our community but as a treasure at the regional and state level as well” commented Parkway Playhouse Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Gall.  “These grants will touch on every aspect of the theatre’s operation from urgently needed building renovation to project support to developing a strategy for continuing the theatre well into the future.”  

Over the years the Parkway Playhouse has received substantial grants from the Blumenthal Foundation, the Janirve Foundation, the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.  The Parkway Playhouse has been the recipient of one other grant from the Cannon Foundation, which funded the purchase and installation of new seating in 2007 and has been receiving funding from the North Carolina Arts Council for years.  This is the first time the Parkway Playhouse has received a grant from the Phillips Family Foundation. 

“One of the most urgent issues we face at the Parkway Playhouse is the fact that the historic theatre building is rapidly aging” commented Gall.  “A stem-to-stern renovation of the facility that would provide upgrades to the plumbing, public space, and structure as well as add enhanced HVAC would require around a million dollars to complete.  It is a challenge to raise this kind of money in the current economic climate, but in order to just preserve the building it is necessary to keep chipping away at it as best we can.”

Gall is quick to address issues of maintaining the physical appearance of the historic theatre facility and added that “there is nothing that we would envision doing that would diminish, compromise, or substantially change the unique character and charm of the Playhouse.   It is a unique building that has been the site of tremendous local history and to dramatically alter it is unthinkable.”

The grants from the Cannon Foundation and the Phillips Family Foundation will pay for a new roof with architectural shingles that will add life to the building and put an end to the numerous leaks and rotting timbers and floor board that are found throughout the backstage area. 

 “We are hopeful that the new roof will be in place before the start of the 2010 season” said Gall.

The Arts and Audience Grant from the North Carolina Arts Council will fund projects and productions that will help the theatre continue to grow its audience.   The Parkway Playhouse has received several Arts and Audience Grants in the past and this past year some of those funds were used to develop works like Esley: The Life and Musical Legacy of Lesley Riddle, a new musical which had its world-premiere at the Parkway Playhouse during the 2009 season. 

Additionally, the Parkway Playhouse received funds from the North Carolina Arts Council’s New Realities program to work with a consultant from Arts Action Research.   In doing so, the Parkway Playhouse joins local arts organizations like TRAC and Asheville’s North Carolina Stage Company as well as numerous theatre, dance, literary, and other arts organizations all over the world of all sizes and disciplines in working with Nello McDaniel, one of the principals of Arts Action Research.  

According to its website, “Arts Action Research ARTS is an arts consulting group widely recognized for its groundbreaking work in redefining the role, relationships, and operation of arts organizations in today's challenging arts environment. Grounded in the 25 year collaboration of Nello McDaniel and George Thorn, the ARTS Action Research team has served hundreds of arts organizations of all sizes, disciplines and working formats nationally and internationally.

ARTS Action Research works with performing, visual, literary, presenting and service arts organizations in both single and cross discipline configurations. AAR’s Team of Associates address a range of needs from the most basic developmental to complex restructuring and repositioning of veteran arts organizations. ARTS Action Research work is conducted in consortium – involving a number of organizations in a given community or geographic setting – and individually. Regardless of working format, AAR works with individual organizations on individually tailored planning processes and strategies that extend directly from each organization’s artistic process.”

The Parkway Playhouse is getting ready to announce performance information for the 2010 Theatre season soon. 

For more information about the Parkway Playhouse visit the Parkway Playhouse website at www.parkwayplayhouse.com

Click Here To Visit Our Sister Radio Station

This page was last updated on Saturday, 06 February 2010 01:07 PM