State of the Arts Summer Theatre Closes DROWSY CHAPERONE 7/22

Summer Theatre Premieres The Drowsy Chaperone for 2010 Season Closer

July 16, 17, 23, and 24 at 8 p.m.
July 18 at 2:30 p.m.
July 20 at 7 p.m.
July 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.*

Straight from Broadway and the national tour, CPCC Summer Theatre presents the local premiere of the five time Tony Award-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone: A Musical Within a Comedy. Drowsey Chaperone will have you laughing in the aisles. Is it a play? Is it a musical? Drowsey Chaperone is a revved-up spoof of a1920s Broadway song-and-dance frolic, as imagined by an obsessive lonely man as he listens to the recording of his favorite musical one afternoon in his apartment in New York to fight off feeling a bit blue. The characters come alive in his imagination as they turn his home into a stage and take on a life of their own. Drowsy Chaperone will give musical theatre fans something to cheer about and convert all those who never could quite get what all the fuss was about. Don't miss our exciting season closer!

* Note our new times on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

A Note From the Director of The Drowsy Chaperone - Tom Hollis

In August 2007, after a busy Summer Theatre season, I took a busman's holiday and went to New York for a week of theatre. One evening that week I bought tickets to a show that I'd had several friends recommend called The Drowsy Chaperone. I didn't know anything about it other than the posters in Shubert Alley touting the five Tony Awards the show had won. I hadn't heard the music. I didn't know the story. I had just heard it was great fun. So I bought my tickets at the ticket booth and got in line at the Marriot Marquis Theatre for the show. And from the first moments sitting in the dark listening to the "Man in the Chair's" opening monologue I was hooked.

As scene after scene unfolded, as the laughter built and as the musical numbers rolled forth, I knew that this was a show I wanted to bring to the Summer Theatre audience. It was cleverly written. The songs were infectious. The costumes gorgeous and the conceit intriguing. But of course the show wasn't available yet. So as is often the case I would have to wait a few years before my dream could come true. Then a year later I was invited to give a pre-show talk by the Blumenthal Education Division on 1920s musicals before the touring production of Drowsy opened in Charlotte. As I heard the "Man in the Chair" introduce the overture again, I knew that same feeling of excitement for the show and renewed my vow to stage it in the Halton one day.

Well that day has finally arrived. The cast is assembled. The costumes and sets have been constructed. The orchestra rehearsed. The lights are set. All that remains is to add that last necessary ingredient - the audience.

I envy each member of our audience that has not had a chance yet to hear and see The Drowsy Chaperone. The chance to hear something new and original for the first time is a special experience. I hope you find it as memorable as I did. And if you have seen it before, I hope that all of your fondest memories of it are renewed. For never has there been such a loving tribute to the musical and the joy of theatre as is The Drowsy Chaperone. And in the finest traditions of Central Piedmont Summer Theatre we are proud to share this show with you our audience. Where would we be without you? Enjoy the show.

New Faces Join Summer Theatre 2010 for
The Drowsy Chaperone Cast

Polly Adkins is happy to be back on the CPCC Summer stage. Previously seen in comedies (Déjà Vue, Moon Over Buffalo, Steel Magnolias, God's Favorite, Caught in the Net), she is delighted to play "Mrs. Tottendale" in the CPCC musical The Drowsy Chaperone. This past year's winner of the MTA awards for Best Female Supporting Actor in a Drama for Actor's Theatre's Rabbit Hole and Best Female Cameo in a Musical for Theatre Charlotte's NINE, Polly recently played "Big Edith Bouvier Beale" in Queen City's Grey Gardens. Other favorite roles include "Martha" in Virginia Woolf, "Edith Piaf" in PIAF, "Mama Rose" in Gypsy, and "Mrs. Lovett" in Sweeney Todd. Also a local director, she recently guided productions of The Dixie Swim Club to a successful finish both at the Fort Mill Playhouse and at Theatre Charlotte for Donna Scott Productions. Thanks to Tom, Drina, this fab cast and crew, and love to her wonderful friends and sis.

Marsha Colbert began her professional singing and musical theatre career more than 25 years ago. She has given over 1,000 performances throughout the United States as part of Colbert & Co. with "much older" brother Jerry Colbert, musical director Drina Keen and sound engineer Jeff Murdock. While Marsha has an extensive performing, teaching and conducting resume, her #1 job is "Mom" to 14-year-old son, Michael Smith, who at 6'4" plays a lot of basketball; he's also a fine guitarist. Marsha splits her time between Charlotte, N.C., and St. Louis, where her husband, Dr. Tom Walker, is dean of Continuing Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Marsha lovingly dedicates this performance to her dear and brave friend, Drina.

Billy Ensley returns to CPCC Summer Theatre as "The Man in the Chair" in The Drowsy Chaperone. Recently, Billy has been seen in Grey Gardens as "Gould" at Queen City Theatre Co.,;The Pillowman as "Katurian" at Actors' Theatre of Charlotte - where he also directed and played the lead role in Hedwig & The Angry Inch and directed Bat Boy - The Musical and Evil Dead - The Musical. Some of the companies he has worked with include The Opera House Theatre Company, The Blowing Rock Stage Company & Opera Carolina. Favorite CPCC roles include "Fagin" in Oliver, "Leo Frank" in Parade, "Judas" in Jesus Christ Superstar, "George M. Cohan" in George M!, "Mike" & "Zach" in A Chorus Line, " and "J. Pierpont Finch" in How to Succeed in Business. Billy has been honored to receive MTA Awards for ‘Best Actor' in a Musical and Drama and ‘Best Director Musical.' He has twice received Creative Loafing Magazine's ‘Actor of the Year' award, and was named by Charlotte Magazine as ‘Best of the Best' and Creative Loafing's ‘Entertainer of the Year' for his portrayal of "Hedwig. " This coming season, Billy will direct Rent for Theatre Charlotte.

Adam Morse is thrilled to be making an appearance in his 12th season here at CPCC! He graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre and has been working in New York City as a ballroom dance teacher, specializing in salsa, at Martinez Studios. He is also currently working on his first album with the Board of Directors. Some of Adam's favorite CPCC roles include "Franz Liebkind" in The Producers, "Michael" in Smokey Joe's Cafe, "Harry" in Company, "The Genie" in Aladdin, and "Baloo" in The Jungle Book. He would like to thank his friends and family for their ongoing love and support. For additional information, pictures, and video check out adamhmorse.com.

Patrick Ratchford has been an active part of the Charlotte theatre community since 1986 and is pleased to be back at CP for another summer theatre season. His diverse resume includes productions from many of the area's theatre companies. Favorite performances include: "Capt. Walker" in Tommy (CP Summer Theatre), "Sherrif/Pan" in BatBoy The Musical (Actors Theatre), "Freddy" in Noises Off (Theatre Charlotte), and "Harry MacAfee" in Bye Bye Birdie (Blowing Rock Stage Company). In 2006, he had the privilege of performing in the Halton Theater's inaugural production, The Sound of Music (Capt. Von Trapp). Patrick is probably best known to Summer Theatre patrons for his roles in some of the mainstays of American Musical Theatre: "Frank Butler" in Annie Get Your Gun, "Harold Hill" in The Music Man, "Adam Pontipee" in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and "Lancelot" in Camelot.

Ericka Ross will play "Trix" in The Drowsy Chaperone this summer. This is Ericka's second production with CPCC and she is proud and honored to be a part of this wonderful production and cast! Ericka is a graduate of UNC- Chapel Hill and also performs at Narroway Productions in Tennessee in The Gospel According to Tennessee. Most recent credits are "Grace" in The Piano Lesson at CPCC, "The Duchess" in Alice in Concert and "Flora" in The Drama Club, both with Children's Theater of Charlotte. I give thanks to God and my family for being my rock!

Beau Stroupe returns to North Carolina and the CPCC for the first time since performing the role of "Judas" in JC Superstar over 20 years ago. Beau was seen recently as "Major Bouvier" in Grey Gardens and "Zangara" in Assassins in the Charlotte area. Beau is also a published and recorded songwriter and session singer, who has worked with artists like Amy Grant on the multi-platinum recording House of Love and Michael W. Smith. In addition, he is a vocal contractor, music director and talent for hire for commercial jingles, children's recordings and the HBO film The Notorious Bettie Page. Beau's greatest life achievements are his four children Abbey, Zach, Hope and Noah Stroupe.

Meet all the exciting actors, technicians and artistic staff that bring Summer Theatre together. Go online to http://arts.cpcc.edu/performingarts/summertheatre/headshots%20and%20biossummer10forinternet.doc/view and get to know The Players before you see the shows.

Order Your Tickets Today To Get the Best Seats
To order tickets call the SunTrust Box Ofice at 704.330.6534 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday or visit the website at tix.cpcc.edu.

Special Ticket Deals for Under 25's and Kids to Evening Performances
Under 25 Ticket - $15
Special ticket price for anyone under 25. Good on Thursday evenings only in the Orchestra. Subject to ticket availability. Must show valid ID for proof of age.

Kid's Ticket - $10
Children's tickets are $10 when purchased with a regular single adult ticket. Not valid with any other offer. Good for any performance. One children's ticket with each single adult ticket only.

Nothing But Noodles Offers CPCC Summer Theatre Patrons Discount
CPCC Summer Theatre is pleased to offer its patrons a coupon to Nothing But Noodles on Elizabeth Ave. Print the promotional coupon below and receive a complimentary Noodle Bowl or Salad when a second Noodle Bowl or Salad of equal or greater value and two drinks is purchased. To be valid, patrons MUST present this ad to receive the offer. Don't wait, this offer expires September 1!