With decaying tongue placed firmly in rotting cheek, the play delights from first notes to final bows.
ICYMI for the week of Oct. 11 — and a sneak peek
Catch up on highlights you may have missed from last week’s Xpress — and see what we’ve got in store for you this week. Newspapers should be hitting the stands later this afternoon. Available at all Xpress distribution locations by Wednesday!
Smart Bets: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Asheville-based theatre company The Synthesis Experiment’s debut production runs Oct. 17-21 at Toy Boat Community Art Space.
Theater review: ‘St. Nicholas’ at 35below
When a show is called St. Nicholas, it seems likely it’s a Christmas piece about a certain bearded character in a red suit. But not the St. Nicholas that’s playing through Sunday, Oct. 22, at 35below. Written by Conor McPherson, this is a monologue play about an unnamed and burned-out theater critic who is obsessed […]
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 a graphic novel told through the lens of a cell phone, an immersive musical by The Synthesis Experiment and a comedic film about the wild ride of parenting.
Theater review: ‘The Glass Menagerie’ at HART
This production, illuminated by prismatic light, is staged beautifully in the round. The direction by Steve Lloyd is marvelously attentive with gorgeous costumes by Julie Kinter that are reflective of a dreamy, bygone era.
Theater review: ‘King Mackerel’ at N.C. Stage
Before those summertime memories start slipping away, make a quick trip to the beach — or to the musical comedy King Mackerel and the Blues are Running, on view at N.C. Stage Company through Sunday, Oct. 8. Director Neela Munoz does a fine job with this heartfelt show, written by Bland Simpson and Jim Wann […]
Theater review: ‘Amadeus’ at Flat Rock Playhouse
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.
‘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.