Cute American Idol analogies are to be avoided—because when eight of the area’s most exhibitionist singers go tonsil-to-tonsil during Asheville Community Theatre’s Diva*licious musical-theater sing-offs, it’s not TV-addled teens doing the voting, but actual theater buffs with plenty of drama-directed dollars.
The winner (determined by whom patrons figuratively throw the most money at) will be crowned Asheville’s first official Diva. And the fund-raiser, to benefit ACT programs, is the first in what organizers promise will be an annual event.
Where participating in other local fund-raising initiatives might get you some whitewater-rafting tickets or lunch for two at a downtown café, the ACT fete features the Diamonds are Everyone’s Best Friend Wine Glass raffle. Numbered, $50 wine glasses serve as raffle tickets—and the grand prize is a diamond necklace valued at $4,300.
The unusual idea is the brainchild of ACT Managing Director Cate Foltin, who suggested the company stage the event based on her success with the theme at theaters in other cities.
Contestant Michael Cheek, still eliciting latent chuckles for an alarmingly funny performance in Miss Gulch Returns! and just off a run of ShowStoppers at Haywood Arts Regional Theatre, tells Xpress that he’ll be performing “Being Alive” from Company and “This is the Moment,” from Jekyll and Hyde.
A transplant from the New York City theater scene, Cheek says he’s been pleased to find that “people are very supportive of theater here,” and even that “there are a lot more companies now than when I arrived three years ago.”
Constance Ensner, better known as the fashion diva behind Biltmore’s Constance Boutique, confesses: “My friend Rick Ramsey urged me to volunteer—but I have no theater experience! I felt totally intimidated at the first rehearsal, surrounded by such big and obviously experienced voices. Sweaty palms broke out and panic sank in.” Those who have heard Ensner perform at private parties with Stephanie’s Id or in vocal competition at Tressa’s will be considerably less panicked for the dressmaker-turned-stage-phenom.
Ensner plans to perform “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess and “Stormy Weather” (first sung by Ethel Waters at The Cotton Club in Harlem).
And Katie Kasben, who first performed at ACT when she was 15 and who will sing a song from Rent, confirms: “There are not a lot of opportunities in Asheville to belt some great Broadway. I can’t wait.”
Asheville Community Theatre (35 E. Walnut St.) presents Diva*licious on Friday, June 1. 7 p.m. $25 includes pre-show catered reception, performance and post-show desserts (auction wine glasses sold separately). For info and reservations, see www.ashevilletheatre.org or call 254-1320.
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