theater

Looking for some hot stuff? Check out SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical @dpac @DonnaSummerBway #DonnaSummertheMusical #Durham

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Opening Night Review | SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical | Broadway’s Ultimate Disco Dance Party opens at DPAC on February 25th and runs through March 1st | SobeSavvy.com

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A must-see ELECTRIFYING TRIBUTE to a music diva who defined an era, broke barriers and inspired a generation! Leslie H., @SobeSavvy| SobeSavvy.com

The 1970’s gave the world a new music genre called Disco. This music gets a bad rap due to more than a few awful bands and singers. A few stand out. One singer came along in the late 70’s and instantly became ‘The Queen Of Disco”. Her name was LaDonna Adrian Gaines, better known as Donna Summer.

Production Photos courtesy of DPAC

See her story come to life in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which opens at DPAC on February 25th through March 1, 2020. This production began a Broadway run in 2018. It received critical audience acclaim and the demand for Broadway’s Ultimate Disco Dance Party allowed for a North American Tour to begin on September 20, 2019.

The musical tells the story of the young girl from Boston with gospel roots who broke through all sorts of barriers to become the ultimate icon of disco and beyond! The score features over 20 of her classic hits to sing along to including “Hot Stuff”, “MacArthur Park” and “Bad Girls” to name a few. Her voice of a generation ended up being a voice for the ages and this musical does a great job in telling the story with 3 different Donna’s representing the stages in her life and musical career. Here’s a fun fact: Alex Hairston, an NC native plays Disco Donna! Each actress did a fantastic job in singing, dancing and portraying Donna in their own unique way!

Disco Donna (Alex Hairston), Diva Donna (Dan’yelle Williamson), Duckling Donna (Elease Hardy) | Production Photos courtesy of DPAC

Go and experience a disco party and musical tribute like no other in SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical. I made it a working date night and had so much fun!

For general event details, including the content advisory and age requirements, read here: https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/summer-the-donna-summer-musical
DPAC| Durham Performing Arts Center | 123 Vivian Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701|DPACnc.com

SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical opens at DPAC on February 25th and runs through March 1st

5 Years of Holiday Cheer! Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical is here @DECRALEIGH #RudolphRaleigh #familyfun

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🎶You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all🎶 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer..

We all know and love the song that goes along with the animated television story of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”! Now is your chance to fall in love all over again with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical, in it’s 5th year is now playing at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts inside the A.J.Fletcher Opera Theater to see this all time favorite holiday classic brought to life on stage!

Before seeing the show, SobeSavvy.com was invited to a special Blogger Party to celebrate it’s 5th year anniversary! If you saw my IG instastories @SobeSavvy, then you saw how much fun we had prior to the show! If not, be sure to check out my you tube video below.

There is actually a chance for all guests to enjoy lobby festivities before seeing the show. I recommend arriving early so you can:

• SHOP for adorable gifts and plush toys for your little one or find the perfect Christmas gift!

• SNAP photos with the larger than life characters from the special including Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and of course, Rudolph!

• POSE for the camera at the step and repeat and capture a picture from your memorable night out!

My husband and I grew up watching this all time favorite cartoon special every single year at Christmas time. So to experience it with our daughter and see it come live on stage is such a joy! We all had fun taking a trip to Christmas Town all the way to the North Pole to Santa’s workshop. We watched the story unfold and enjoyed seeing Rudolph grow from a young buck who went thru adversity to a deer who became a leader necause he never stopped believing in himself. So what his nose was different. You Glow Rudolph!

Kids of all ages were in the audience to experience the wonder that this story truly is. My girl enjoyed this at 7 years old as much as she did when we went to see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical in 2016, when she was age 5! There was plenty of dancing and singing. The audience was invited to sing-a-long with the lyrics to ‘Silver and Gold’. This musical truly brought the warm feelings of the holidays to our hearts. The last scene actually had REAL snow falling on the audience. The kids and adults alike were delighted!

Now thru Dec 24, grab your family, young and old to see the greatest Christmas tale ever told! Come dressed in your holiday pjs or wear a Santa’s hat to this family fun show filled with singing, dancing and great acting! Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Rudolph are all ready to entertain you! Buy your tickets now to Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. It is the absolute must do for this holiday season !!

Watch highlights from the Blogger Party celebrating the 5th Year Anniversary of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical!

Thanks again for inviting SobeSavvy.com to the event and performance. For more info on how you can get tickets to the show, go to dukeenergycenterraleigh.com.

Happy Holidays!🎄

Hey #Raleigh Families, this March see Little Shop of Horrors +Beanstalk! The Musical @RLT1936 #Theatre #Fun

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This weekend, you have two last chances to check out a favorite MUSICAL COMEDY of mine, Little Shop of Horrors! Raleigh Little Theatre extended its run thru March 4, 2018 with more performances playing at the Canton V. Sutton Theatre. I look forward to seeing the final performance as a “Sunday Funday” activity with my family.

I remember watching the remake of the original movie in 1986. I was 13 years old and seeing Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold as part of a Black female singing trio who brought the drama and comedy to life was a memorable moment in this musical comedy. I know all the lyrics, so I definitely will have fun seeing these 3 singers on stage.

If you are not a superfan like me, here is a brief synopsis of the story:

The meek floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, stumbles across a new breed of plant that he names “Audrey II” after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn, as long as he keeps feeding it BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out-of-this-world origins and intent toward global domination!

Little Shop of Horrors is part of the RLT Sutton Series. Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman and screenplay by Charles Griffith. Directed by Patrick Torres. The show is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Audrey II is sponsored by Bloom Works.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available now! Buy them online or from the box office at 919-821-3111. Group sales will also be available from the box office. Seating is Reserved Seating. Final Weekend Ticket prices (including taxes):

Adults: $29 Students/Seniors: $25

Seniors are age 62 and up. Students are through college.

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Get your tickets now for an upcoming family friendly production, Beanstalk! the Musical!, opening March 16. It is the first production to open in the newly renovated Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre. The production puts a unique spin on the classic fairy tale. For more information go to Raleigh Little Theatre‘s website: http://raleighlittletheatre.org/

SobeSavvy Tip: Did you know RLT offers a summer camp? They are now registering for 2018 Summer Camp – ages 4-18 offered at RLT, Apex, Wendell and Wake Forest locations! Learn about their upcoming 2018/2019 Season: Acts of Courage!

This March, make plans to go see one or both of these Raleigh Little Theatre performances and support the arts with your family/friends. Check back here on SobeSavvy.com for my review of Beanstalk! the Musical! Hope to see you there!

DO YOU ENJOY THEATRE? WHAT WAS THE LAST PLAY YOU ENJOYED?

Theatre Review|#GraceForPresident Wins My Vote for #FamilyFun ! @RLT1936 @NCmuseumofhistory 

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Raleigh, The votes are in…Grace For President is a win-win! A must see for families who enjoy seeing theatre that is fun for everyone. This play is based on a children’s book, Grace For President (if you haven’t read it, head to your local library to check out this wonderful book) …

…by Kelly S. DiPucchio, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham. It’s now playing at the North Carolina Museum of History as part of the Raleigh Little Theatre Family Series. The book, music and lyrics for this production are by Joan Cushing and will run from October 13 thru October 22, 2017. 

This inspiring tale empowers little girls to believe they can achieve anything, to work hard to be the best person for the job and never rest on being the popular choice. The whole family can enjoy this musical experience and follow Grace’s ambitions as the story unfolds. If you saw my recent #SobeSavvyGiveaway post, I shared the plot of this play in detail as well gave away tickets to see this show. I had a chance to see the Saturday night show with my #HeighPartyof3 and we loved it! Take a look at some of the amazing talent from the local actors ranging from 13 to 21 years old that brought this story to life: 

  • Left to Right: Anthony/Mr. Waller (Matt Ellington), Robbie (Blake Rose), Mrs. Barrington (Emma Johnson), Grace (TaMya Bland), Thomas/Henry (Logan Harrison), Sam (Keith Petersen), Rose/Mrs. Phillips (Jessica Soffian), Carla (Stacey Mejia-Montano)

  • Grace Campbell (TaMya Bland)

  • Mrs. Barrington (Emma Johnson)

  • Thomas/Henry (Logan Harrison)

  • Anthony/Mr. Waller (Matt Ellington)

  • Rose/Mrs. Phillips (Jessica Soffian)

  • Carla (Stacey Mejia-Montano), Sam (Keith Petersen)

Photo Credit: Brandi Swarms 

Admission Prices: Adult ($15), Children ($11) Tickets are available for purchase online or from box office at 919.821.3111 *Seating is General Admission. The show is about an hour long with no intermission.*

SobeSavvy Tip: Go one hour before the show for a “Grace” inspired gallery hunt in the Museum, to create your own campaign button to take home and pose for a selfie as a future North Carolina Hall of Fame-er! Take a look at our #GraceforPresRLT selfies here⤵ 

 https://www.instagram.com/p/BaPh8wXBBtD/

Although based on a fictional book, this play was full of fun facts about our Presidents, American History and how Election Day works! I would recommend this educational musical for everyone, especially any aspiring young leader you may have in your family. Buy tickets TODAY and make plans to see Grace and her classmates discover what it takes to be the best candidate and find the fun and hilarity in the wonderful world of politics! 

This event is presented by the Raleigh Little Theatre http://raleighlittletheatre.org/                

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

*Single tickets on sale for the 2017/18 Season of Groundbreakers.

North Carolina Museum of History
Daniels Auditorium
5 E. Edenton Street
Downtown Raleigh






Opening Night Review|HATS OFF to ‘CROWNS’👒 ! Now playing @RLT1936 thru 9/10 in #Raleigh ~Get Tix NOW!

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In 1998, North Carolina photographer Michael Cunningham began taking
pictures of women in their hats. His friend, journalist Craig Marberry, thought they should put together a book of the photos and the stories behind them. Marberry was curious why so many African-American women wear flamboyant
hats to church. Their curiosity led to the publication of the now iconic book (which I received as a Christmas gift in 2003 from my in-laws) entitled “Crowns”. They have the picture of 50 African American Women wearing their hats, or Crowns to church. They has a profile of each women to go with the back story behind their hats.

This book ‘CROWNS’ was made into an off broadway play and has had many adaptations nationwide on stage throughout the years that have followed.

Fast forward to 2017, the Raleigh Little Theatre had their premier opening of the musical “Crowns”, now playing from Aug 25 to Sept. 10 . It’s story is about culture, history, tradition, women and their “hattitudes” ! You’ll laugh, you’ll reflect and you may even sing-along to the gospel music performed in the show. Musical Director, Carolyn Colquitt said “This story is telling why women wore the hats and what they represented.” 

More than a few women {including myself} wore their “Crowns” for the Opening Night at Raleigh Little Theatre

The play, directed by Terra Hodge, created six composite characters. Their stories are
told over the course of a Sunday. The audience sees these various women get ready for church, attend a morning service, a wedding, a funeral and a baptism. 

Photos by Brenna Lila Jane Berry-Stewart                    

  • (Top Left) India Williams as Mabel
  • (Center Left) Chanda Branch as Velma
  • (Bottom Left) Lynnette Barber as Mother Shaw
  • (Right) Lynnette Barber as Mother Shaw, Chelsey Moore (kneeling) as Yolanda, LaToya Smith as Jeanette

Five older women are joined by the grandaughter of one of them — a younger woman, 17 year old Yolanda from Brooklyn. The young woman (played brilliantly by Chelsey Moore) is a pivotal character and is changed by this experience of finding out about these women, through their hats. The audience is reminded that we’re still kings and queens with “crowns” that as James Baldwin said …”were already bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear them.” 

Leslie Heigh, Founder of SobeSavvy.com , wears her hat/crown to see “CROWNS”

One of my favorite parts of the show was the music, which had the sold out audience clapping and sometimes stomping their
feet. It was truly a shared experience no matter your age, race, gender or religion. I think everyone felt the uplifting spirit of the play and got the message from the monologues, as well as the lyrics of the songs. BRAVO to all the actors on stage, who were locals who auditioned right here for the chance to show their talent for the entire Triangle to witness!  

Crowns Contest Winners (left to right) Evenlyn Castleberry and Brenda Sanders pose by the winning entries

SobeSavvy Tip:  Arrive early to see the exhibition on display of the CROWNS contest winners. Six women were chosen to be photographed wearing their ‘Crowns’ based on their shared stories of what wearing a hat means to them.

CROWNS Contest Winners Photo Exhibition | Photo Credit: Raleigh Little Theatre, Arts Now

Tickets are available >>>> here. Some shows are already sold out, so don’t wait! On Aug 27 a panel discussion, sponsored by North Carolina State’s African American Cultural Center, will be held after the show to discuss the history behind the hats worn by black women. The talk will be led by Moses T. Alexander.

Raleigh Little Theatre was the perfect intimate atmosphere to experience such a soulful stage presentation

RALEIGH LITTLE THEATRE             301 Pogue St

Raleigh, NC 27607 

Tickets 919.821.3111

Raleighlittletheatre.org

Go see this amazing musical “CROWNS ” by Regina Taylor~ Adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry~Directed by Terra Hodge 

Opening Night “CROWNS” at Raleigh Little Theatre ~As Seen on the Scene, by SobeSavvy.com

Be sure to follow Raleigh Little Theatre on social media to stay informed of the 2017/2018 season: 

Twitter: @RLT1936

Facebook: Raleigh Little Theatre

Instagram: raleigh_little_theatre

#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 ! 

One Night Only, #AlvinAiley #Dance in cinemas 10/22 @FathomEvents #LCMOVIES

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This Thursday only, Ailey hits the big screen nationwide! Screenings of a full Ailey performance will be held at hundreds of cinemas across the U.S. on October 22 at 7pm local time.  Enter your zip code now to find the theater closest to you and purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/1OTkLqL

Ailey’s film is one of four in a new series entitled “Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance,” presented by Fathom Events and Lincoln Center.

Captured before a live audience during Ailey’s recent Lincoln Center season, the performance includes four audience favorites – Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, Ronald K. Brown’s Grace, Robert Battle’s Takademe, and Mr. Ailey’s masterpiece, Revelations – as well as a look behind the scenes and exclusive interviews with the artists.

As a lover of all things Ailey, I am very excited to enjoy this performance in a unique , intimate setting. It’s like having a front row seat and a backstage pass all in one! Fathom Events is known for bringing one time speacisl events in Theaters near you at an affordable price . Be sure to stay connected so that you don’t miss out!

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Yannick Lebrun. Photo by Andrew Eccles

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Sarah Daley and Vernard J. Gilmore in Wayne McGregor’s ‘Chroma.’ Photo by Paul Kolnik