Jeffrey Kare - Page 6

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.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center for the very first time from January 30th-February 4th is the national touring production of the world's longest-running musical, LES MISERABLES. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actor Joshua Grosso, who stars in the iconic role of Marius.

Love Letters centers on two characters, Melissa Gardner & Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, as they sit at tables side by side to read the notes, letters and cards they've wrote to each other over the course of 50 years. Within the letters, the two characters discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.

From January 12th-21st, North Carolina Theatre will be presenting A.R. Gurney's LOVE LETTERS at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater. I recently had the great pleasure of stopping by rehearsal to interview the stars of this production, two-time Emmy nominee Sandy Duncan and Ira David Wood III.

On Your Feet! tells the true story of how a record-making and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to make it happen. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world.

Lauren Kennedy started her career at the North Carolina Theatre, having performed in many of their productions since she was 7 years old. She went on to appear on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard (original cast), Side Show (original cast), Les Miserables (Fantine), and Monty Python's Spamalot (The Lady of the Lake). Her other performing credits include Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard (first national tour), Judy Haines in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (World Premiere), Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years (World Premiere), Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (London), Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's (St. Louis MUNY), Nefertari in The Ten Commandments (Los Angeles), Agnes Ford in Lone Star Love (World Premiere), Mary in Vanities (Pasadena Playhouse/Second Stage Theater), Martha Jefferson in 1776 (Paper Mill Playhouse), and The Witch in Into the Woods (Westport Country Playhouse).

Based on Richard Linklater's 2003 film of the same name, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. When he discovers his students' musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

Loosely based on the 1957 memoir by renowned stripetease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy follows the dreams and efforts of her mother, Rose, who raises two daughters to perform onstage and casts an affectionate eye on the hardships of show business life. The idea to musicalize this story came about when producer David Merrick read a chapter of Lee's memoirs in Harper's Magazine. From there, he quickly got in touch with her in order to obtain the rights.

From November 14th-19th, North Carolina Theatre will be presenting one of great works of the American musical theatre, Gypsy at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. I recently had the great pleasure of stopping by rehearsal to interview actor, Sidney DuPont, who will be appearing in the production as Tulsa.

When I last met with these characters 'Under the Sea', I was only starting to cover theatrical events in the Triangle area. Now over three years later, I have more experience, so let's take another dive, shall we? Based on the 1989 Disney animated classic of the same name as well as the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid tells the story about a young mermaid who dreams of the world above the sea and gives up her beautiful voice to find her true love.

The Phantom is coming back to the Durham Performing Arts Center from October 31st-November 5th! Only this time, it's for the sequel, Love Never Dies. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing actress Karen Mason, who'll appear in the national touring production as Madame Giry.

Ladies & gentlemen, for one week only, the circus is in town! The producers of the world's biggest magic show, The Illusionists have teamed up with the award winning puppeteers from War Horse to present a thrilling turn of the century circus spectacular. Sensational puppetry puts elephants back in the ring as never seen before along with a huge cast of the most unique, amazing and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the world, from strong men to contortionists, acrobats to musicians, knife throwers, high wire and much more!

Based on Disney's 1991 Academy Award-winning animated film of the same name as well as the classic French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Beauty & the Beast tells the story of a bright, beautiful young woman who doesn't seem to fit in with her hometown. She later finds herself trapped in the enchanted castle of a cold-hearted prince who had been magically transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his selfish ways. To revert back into his true human form, the Beast must first earn the love of this woman before it's too late.

North Carolina Theatre Conservatory Master Summer Theatre Arts School will be presenting Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! from July 7th-9th at A.J. Fletcher Opera House.

BWW Review: THE KING & I National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center

BWW TV: Jose Llana of THE KING & I National Tour

BWW Review: FINDING NEVERLAND National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center

For the second year in a row, I had the great pleasure of attending the Triangle Rising Star Awards at the Durham Performing Arts Center. This regional competition brings together high school musical theater students from Central and Eastern North Carolina to perform and compete for the chance to represent the Triangle in The National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City this summer on June 26th. The national competition celebrates outstanding student performances in high school musical productions from all over the United States.

BWW TV: Christine Dwyer of FINDING NEVERLAND National Tour