Jeffrey Kare - Page 5

Based on Sholem Aleichem's series of short stories about Tevye the Dairyman, Fiddler on the Roof centers on Tevye, a poor milkman who lives in pre-revolutionary Russia with his wife and five daughters. Among the traditions in their little village of Anatevka, the matchmaker arranges a match between a boy and a girl, and the father must approve the arranged marriage. However, Tevye must cope with both the strong-willed actions of his three eldest daughters who wish to marry for love and outside influences of the Tsar who intrude upon his village.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from January 8th-13th is the current national touring production of Fiddler on the Roof. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing dance captain (and North Carolina native) David Ferguson.

Jersey Boys is presented in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation, success and eventual breakup of The Four Seasons. When I last met up with these boys, it was during their return engagement at DPAC back in 2015. Since then, the Broadway production celebrated its 10th anniversary, closed up shop, and is now running Off-Broadway at New World Stages.

Based on Ron Chernow's 2004 biographical novel titled Alexander Hamilton, the musical, Hamilton, tells the true story of one of America's Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. An immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation's first Treasury Secretary.

In the Heights is an original musical that is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Hispanic-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. Originally conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda during his sophomore year at Wesleyan University, the musical had its world premiere through their student theater company in April of 2000.

From October 16th-21st, North Carolina Theatre will be opening their 2018-19 season with a production of Lin-Manuel Miranda & Quiara Alegria Hudes' 2008 award-winning musical, In the Heights, at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. I was recently able to get in touch with two of the cast members, Genny Lis Padilla and David Guzman.

Based on Emile Ardolino's 1992 film of the same name, Sister Act follows disco diva Deloris Van Cartier as she is put in protective custody after witnessing a murder. Not only that, but she is hidden in the one place that the cops are sure she won't be found, a convent. While struggling through the restrictions of her new lifestyle, Deloris uses her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, but in doing so, she jeopardizes her cover.

Based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name, which in turn was inspired by the real-life newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City, Newsies tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York. When I last met up with these newsboys, it was during their strike at DPAC back in 2015. Since then, the tour closed up shop after a two-year run, became a hit Fathom Event, and is now available for licensing to schools, community, and regional theatres all over the world.

Based on Adrienne Shelly's 2007 independent film of the same name, Waitress tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a Waitress at a small town diner who is trapped in an abusive marriage to her husband Earl. When Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her gynecologist, Dr. Jim Pomatter. Looking for ways out, she sees a pie contest and its grand prize as her chance.

Originating from the 2013 collaborative album by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell titled Love Has Come for You, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the 1920s and '40s. The musical was inspired by the true story of a five-day-old baby who fell approximately 50 feet from a train into Big River in Irondale, Missouri on August 14th, 1902.

Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that tells the story of the final week in the life of Jesus Christ. It begins with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ends with the crucifixion. It also highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Jesus and one of his 12 apostles, Judas Iscariot that are not present in the Bible narratives.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from May 1st-6th is the national touring production of Waitress. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Desi Oakley, who stars as Jenna Hunterson.

Based on Victor Fleming's 1939 film musical of the same name as well as L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, The Wizard of Oz (of course) follows Dorothy Gale, a young girl who lives on a farm in Kansas with her dog, Toto, until a cyclone arrives, picks up her house, and blows them away to the land of Oz. Things in Oz are strange and beautiful, but Dorothy just wants to go home. She's helped by the Good Witch of the North, but she's also in trouble with the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks revenge for the death of her sister; the Wicked Witch of the East, for which she blames Dorothy.

Based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 horror novel of the same name, The Phantom of the Opera follows a deformed composer who haunts the grand Paris Opera House. Sheltered from the outside world in an underground cavern, the lonely, romantic man tutors and composes operas for Christine Daae, a gorgeous young soprano star-to-be. As Christine's star rises, and a handsome suitor from her past enters the picture, the Phantom grows mad, terrorizing the opera house owners and company with his murderous ways. Still, Christine finds herself drawn to the mystery man.

Coming back to the Durham Performing Arts Center from February 28th-March 11th is the new national touring production of The Phantom of the Opera! I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Eva Tavares, who stars in the iconic role of Christine Daae.

Based on Roger Corman's 1960 black comedy of the same name, Little Shop of Horrors follows Seymour Krelborn, a meek floral assistant who stumbles across a new breed of plant that he names 'Audrey II' after a coworker he has a crush on. 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!

During my recent conversation with artistic director Patrick Torres, I got to be one of the first to hear about Raleigh Little Theatre's upcoming 2018-19 season.

Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, Les Miserables tells the story of an ex-convict who after serving nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, goes on a quest for redemption. When a kind bishop inspires him by a tremendous act of mercy, the ex-convict known as Jean Valjean breaks his parole as he decides to start his life anew. As time goes on, Valjean has relentlessly been pursued by a ruthless police inspector, hoping to bring him to justice. Though along the way, a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade during a revolutionary period in France.