Drawing upon historic interviews, Wiley creates the events that foreshadow and follow Emmett’s brutal death at the hands of J.W. Milam and his half-brother Roy Bryant after Bryant’s wife, Carolyn Bryant Donham, said Till accosted her in the family grocery store.
The minimalist set design, rendered in primary colors of black, white and red, gives ample room for hooded ghosts to dart in and out of a white forest of leafless trees.
There’s a nimbleness to the writing that propels the play. It is the sort of script seasoned performers crave and can elevate.
The characters and plot in general make us think that this could all be happening in the next town over from the Cohen Brothers movie Fargo.
The Groundling provides a modern, comedic take on Shakespeare. It’s so well-written that, when the truth comes out, it’s a profound shift in tone that the actors execute superbly.
Adults and children will find themselves reading the play on many levels. It reminds us that sometimes we need both escape and escapism.
This will be Different Strokes! final show in The BeBe Theatre. The company is moving to a new space in the near future called The Downstage Performing Arts Center.
The long running stage show — with strong local ties — plays Diana Wortham Theatre through Aug. 19.
The co-creators of the Asheville-based audio drama perform two episodes live on Aug. 12 at The Magnetic Theatre.
Director Marci Bernstein takes the audience on 11 unrelated journeys in monologues by a who’s who of local talent. Each scene is its own story, and each actress holds the stage alone for those scenes.
FRP’s version is even more entertaining than both the Broadway version and the film — a feat not to take lightly, as this production had the power to draw Tony-nominee Terrance Mann to the opening.
Some folks might be reluctant to take in a “junior” performance of a Tony-award-winning musical that was bawdy and raucous in its original adult version. However, the chance to see young people tackle this show underscores the importance of bringing these essential messages and opportunities to young performers.
On July 19, the Asheville Creative Arts will debut its first original musical, Bugs! at The Magnetic Theater. The production runs through Sunday, July 29.
The unconventional life of oddball partyer Mame Dennis (played by Lyn Donley) is shaken up when, after her brother-in-law passes away, she’s entrusted with her young nephew, Patrick (Andrew Delbene).
On Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, Morris’ semi-annual project returns with ’emersion presents: half-light,’ taking place in the woods, near Asheville, at dusk.
The play was written by Larry Larson and Levi Lee nearly 40 years ago. Of course, the Cold War era of the early 1980s informs the anxiety of the world being left a smoldering heap with few surviving. And it still works well today.
The Totally Rad ’80s Dance Party fundraiser for Attic Salt Theatre Company takes place July 14 at the theatre’s Arts Space.
As the titular Oliver, Faith Creech is exuberance and charm wrapped in a skilled young actor. She shines the minute she takes the stage.
The one-woman play about Rebecca Boone comes to the Folk Art Center on June 30.
With ‘The Love List’ we are reminded that the perfect person doesn’t exist, and it’s often our flaws that make us unique and lovable.
The play is told in confessional moments, directed at the audience. These give way to flashbacks that fill in gaps. The conclusion will leave the audience a little teary-eyed but also enriched