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#Durham says “Yeah,Yeah” ! to #KinkyBoots Opening Night Recap @DPAC @KinkyBootsBway

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“Ladies, and gents and those who have yet to make up their mind” came out to DPAC last night for the opening night of the 2013 Tony award winning musical, Kinky Boots ! As part of the Encore Broadway at DPAC series, this must see smash-hit musical makes its return to Durham September 13-18.

The musical, inspired by true events, tells the story of Charlie Price (played by Adam Kaplan), who has big shoes to fill when he inherits a shoe factory from his Dad. Charlie meets a beyond fabulous drag queen named Lola (played by a North Carolina native, J.Harrison Ghee). Together, they both develop a plan to produce a line of high-heeled boots. But not just any boots….sexy, stiletto-heeled, kinky boots! I was motivated to step out in some boots and see this popular production, directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell. Here we are in our kinky boots inspired outfits along with (center) Justin Natvig, aka Vivian Vaughn, who currently holds the title of Miss Gay North Carolina America.

DPAC was prepared to make this a night to remember in the Triangle by having local Drag Queen sensations greet guests with Kinky Boots playbills. We even got to take a selfie with local drag queen sensation, Mary K. Mart !

This Cyndi Lauper (the Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon) scored musical was energetic, playful and fun yet came with a serious message: to accept someone for who they are !  It made me think of the discriminatory NC HB2 law and the Black Lives Matter movement and how relevant this musical is on so many levels. If Charlie and the gender bending Lola can form an unlikely bond over Kinky boots, so can the world! The final number “Raise You Up/Just Be” was my favorite as it summarized the whole theme of finding humanity in everyone. This joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.
So if you asked me if this is a musical to see, my reply would be “Yeah, Yeah”! It’s spectacular score will have you singing for more. The choreographed dance moves will have you feeling the groove. Get ready to have fun with the factory workers of Price & Sons. Look up the word fabulous and Lola’s pic will be there for her style, sass, talent and flair! Along with her girls, Lola and her performances were perfection and is the heart of the show ! Make sure you get a ticket to see Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit; Kinky Boots before it goes!

Find tickets online at DPACnc.com, Ticketmaster.com or at The Ticket Center at DPAC, in person or by phone at 919.680.2787.

Here is photo recap of last night’s amazing opening night of Kinky Boots at DPAC ! 

@MaksimC @IamValC Dance Dreams Come True @DPAC #OurWayTour #maksandvaltour RECAP #soNCsavvy

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MAKS & VAL LIVE ON TOUR: OUR WAY came to DPAC last night for their 29th show with their all-new sizzling theatrical 50 city dance tour! 

Brothers Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the hottest stars of ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars, brought to life the show they have dreamed about since childhood ! This show combines an honest and unfiltered narrative of their life story, with the world class dancing, creativity and passion they are
known for.  Collaborating with the greatest choreographers in the business
and supported by a cast of fellow dance professionals, the show was full of surprises! For example, did you know Val was a classically trained violinist? For those who did not know, he showcases his musical skills alongside his dancing skills during the show. That was quite a surprise to me! 

Due to sacrifices made for family Val shared that his brother Maks never went to prom, but he did last night! That was a highlight of thw ahow when a lucky fan from the audience got  a chance to dance her dreams with Maks last night! Here are a few pics from that fun moment! 

Maksim Chmerkovskiy commented, “Val and I have pushed each other to be better dancers every day since we were kids, and this show will fulfill a lifetime dream to perform on the same stage together across the country.  We want to connect with our audience and take the performance to a whole new level.  There will be no holding back on this tour.”

“The essence of this show will be
the story of two brothers and the passion we have for life, family, opportunity
and, of course, dance,” said Valentin Chmerkovskiy. “It will be the most honest we’ve ever been to an audience. We want to entertain with incredible
choreography and inspire while sharing our story, our way.”
  

Maks & Val Live On Tour: Our Way is Co-Choreographed, Co-Produced and
Co-Created by the 2 brothers making this truly a family affair! This amazing , broadway quality show was well produced and as promised, was personal and reflective . They showed us how they are living their American Dream and thanked us for bring apart of it.

Thank you Maks and Val for your dedication and devotion to dance. Your emotional performances were inspiring. I personally loved every minute of it and believe all in attendance did too! For up to date information and to purchase tickets, go to MaksandValTour.com.

Here is a bit of what you missed last night, as seen on the scene by SobeSavvy.com ! Enjoy! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIAMfC-jxFm/

View more photos from last night on the red carpet at DPAC at www.flickr.com/photos/dpacnc ! 
  

Riveting! @RIVERDANCE Celebrates 20 years @DPAC June 7-12 #onlyatDPAC #SunTrustBroadway

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Mesmerizing Movement and Music.….The No. 1 Dance Show of the World, RIVERDANCE opened last night at DPAC and runs through June 12.

The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour is composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, and comes directly to North America from a sold out run across Europe and Asia. To mark the eagerly awaited return of the show to North America, ending a four-year absence, Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour will feature new costumes, new lighting, new projections and the addition of a brand new number, “Anna Livia,” featuring the female members of the Irish dance troupe in an acapella hard-shoe number.

Last night at DPAC, the audience gave a standing ovation for the riveting performances of Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. It was a celebration of an extraordinary milestone for an incredible show and guests gave an enthusiastic applause for the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe and entire ensemble for making a stop at DPAC during the Encore Broadway 2015/2016 season. 

The combination of the music and the movement was truly mesmerizing! I enjoyed the original irish dance choreography and was pleasantly surprised to see other genres of dance featured such as Argentine flamenco and the African American tap dancing tradition.The production masterfully succedded weaving in history lessons with entertainment. It told the story of many immigrant dance traditions that make up the art form.

For more information, please visit:

Website: http://www.riverdance.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Riverdance
Twitter: @Riverdance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DPACNC
Twitter: @DPAC https://twitter.com/dpac
Instagram: @DPACnc https://instagram.com/dpacnc/

Here are a few photos taken last night #onlyatDPAC !
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*see page 38 in your playbill for ad/coupon for these delicious GIGi’s Cupcakes ! I highly reccomend the ‘wedding cake’ cupcake.

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To see more photos from the event go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpacnc for more on the red carpet at DPAC !
*Download and/or Print Photos for Free, Courtesy of DPAC!

Hear @TheLionKing Roar @DPAC 2/16-3/20 ! #TheLionKingMusical #OnlyAtDPAC #SunTrustBroadway

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Disney’s THE LION KING has returned to The Triangle on Tuesday, February 16 And Play for Five Weeks Through Sunday, March 20 at DPAC !

I attended the opening night of the long-awaited return engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING on Thursday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. The show’s four-week premiere engagement in 2011 played a sold-out run at DPAC, so I was excited to experience this beloved Broadway Hit again! The movie is a family fave, and to see the story of Simba, Mufasa’s noble son come to life is quite amazing! The music, the costumes, the creativity used to make the audience apart of the circle of life is why THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.

 
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ABOUT THE LION KING

Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 80 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years.  Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Melbourne, Australia; Mexico City; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe.  Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.  

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical.  THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. 

 The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.” 

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The DPAC engagement of Disney’s THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Nederlander and is a part of the Encore Broadway at DPAC series. For Ticket Information, go Online at DPACnc.com

·      DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC

Ticketmaster.com / Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 866.870.2717 12+ Group tickets are now available through email at groups@dpacnc.com

Watch a preview of this amazing show here:

DPAC is such a wonderful venue to watch The Lion King musical. You will leave feeling like you’ve just visited an African savanah! So get your passport, I mean tickets to experience this musical. With so much authenticity and appeal, this show is a sight to see!
Long Live the King!

Here are a few pictures from last night #OnlyatDPAC #SuntrustBroadway !
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**Great news, DPAC has announced a fifth week of Lion King on stage thru March 20! Get your tickets now**