Amadeus is actually more about Salieri, the exalted musician who finds Mozart’s rapid rise to fame as a personal affront to his more measured success. Salieri is a skilled musician, but the revolutionary spirit of Mozart threatens to overshadow him.
Theater review: ‘Better Strangers’ at The Magnetic Theatre
As layers are peeled away and details revealed, some viewers will be squirming in their seats — particularly in the second act. It’s a riveting ride and in no way a light night of entertainment.
Smart Bets: King Mackerel and the Blues Are Running
The beloved play runs through Sunday, Oct. 8 at North Carolina Stage Company.
![BACK TALK: Emily Tynan McDaniel, left, and Andrew Gall star in 'Better Strangers' by local playwright Lucia Del Vecchio. Of the dramatic script, a departure from her previous works, Del Vecchio says, “[It] was like pushing a car up a hill. Because it’s two people, every word matters.”](https://mountainx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Better-Strangers-press-photo-330x214.jpg)
‘Better Strangers’ premieres at The Magnetic Theatre
“There’s a lot to be learned from looking back on your life and trying to figure out certain things around your own personal motivations in an intense situation, and if you handled it well,” says playwright Lucia Del Vecchio. “And it’s kind of a fantasy. You don’t get to go back and talk to people very often.”
Theater review: ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised]’
It’s no wonder that The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised] is such a popular play in the Asheville area. It’s an automatic crowd-pleasing comedy.
Smart Bets: The Crowin’ Hen
Tom Godleski’s music-filled comedy returns to the Folk Art Center for four shows, Sept. 8 through 10.
Theater review: ‘Unnecessary Farce’ at HART
This production is designed to make audiences howl with laughter, and it more than delivers, including a curtain call with all seven actors racing in and out of doors, chasing each other wildly until the all emerge for a well-earned bow.
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features the first album by local band Hustle Souls, a new location for Urban Dharma, and Poetry Cabaret’s reflections on performing at Capital Fringe Festival.
Theater review: ‘The Rainmaker’ by Brevard Little Theatre
Brevard Little Theatre is still something of a well-kept secret within the Western North Carolina theater scene, though its been around since the 1930s. Perhaps quality shows like this one will change all that.
Renovated ACT reopens with ‘The Producers’
The landmark downtown playhouse has been given a major overhaul, which includes such upgrades as new seating, an improvement in auditorium design, and better lighting and sound.
Smart Bets: Best of Enemies
Different Strokes’ latest play runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from Aug. 17 through Sept. 2 at the theater at Asheville High School.
Theater review: ‘Peter Pan’ by Montford Park Players
Under the stars feels right for such a show, making Montford Park Players’ open air summer location a well-suited venue.
Theater review: ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ by Flat Rock Playhouse
All of the parts come together in a magical, mystical feat of precision that, while expected from Flat Rock, still amazes.
Theater preview: ‘Hard Travelin’ with Woody’ at SART
SART alum, musician, actor and playwright Randy Noojin is bringing his one-man, multimedia musical, Hard Travelin’ with Woody, to the SART stage from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30, at Owen Theatre.
Theater review: ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ at 35 below
The play is a deeply moving and decidedly quirky look at two damaged people trying to come to terms with their mortality and failings across 30 years. The show is onstage at 35 below through Sunday, July 30.
Asheville Creative Arts stages ‘Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type’
A group of barnyard bovines find a typewriter and use it to demand better treatment from their owner: This is the storyline of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, a children’s book by author Doreen Cronin and the season-closing production of Asheville Creative Arts. The show, which includes acting, live music, dance and puppetry, will open at The Magnetic Theatre on Friday, July 21.
Theater review: ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at HART
In his director’s notes, Steve Lloyd acknowledges the 1990 production of Fiddler On The Roof that ushered in his role as executive director at Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. Now, 27 years later, Fiddler is back on HART’s stage. The show runs through Sunday, July 30.
Theater review: ‘The Dixie Swim Club’ at Flat Rock Playhouse
Since the play is set in our home state, it helps bring a sense of realism to this production. This is a show to see with friends. It’s an absolute laugh riot, and the hysterical cast is truly outstanding.
The Cardboard Sea debuts an original play
Opening Saturday, July 6, at The Magnetic Theatre, Has Anyone Seen Ms. Ray? is all about things that go bump in the night. “It’s based loosely on Antigone,” Todd Weakley explains. “Except it’s like the writers of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ took a stab at it.”
Theatre review: ‘Significant Other’ at Hendersonville Community Theatre
If you like traditional rom-coms, this is the play for you. Significant Other, written by local playwright and Xpress contributor Jeff Messer is showing on HCT’s second stage through Sunday, July 9.
Conscious Party: Costume Drama Fashion Show
WHAT: A fashion show benefit for Asheville Community Theatre WHEN: Friday, July 7, 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Renaissance Hotel WHY: Music blares from the speakers, the final touches to hair and makeup are done, and the first model struts onto the catwalk wearing…. a dress made out of trash?! Now in its sixth year, the annual […]