PRESS RELEASE FROM DIANA WORTHAM THEATRE:
Diana Wortham Theatre’s Matinee Series provides professional, curriculum-related shows at affordable costs, each season providing 10,000 children the opportunity to experience the theatre, works by professional dance companies, world-class puppetry, and the musical talents of renowned performers. The series is extremely popular with children, families, and teachers throughout Western North Carolina.
Reservations for all performances in Diana Wortham Theatre’s 2016/2017 Matinee Series are being taken now. Call 828-257-4530 for individual and group sales, or groups may e-mail boxoffice@dwtheatre.com if you have any questions. Please note that all group reservations for the 2016/2017 Matinee Series will require a deposit. The Y.E.S. (Youth Education Scholarship) Fund provides need-based scholarships to cover the cost of admission for students and schools. Matinee Series order forms and Y.E.S. Fund applications can be accessed at www.dwtheatre.com/matinee-series.
2016/2017 Matinee Series:
• Parsons Dance – Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 10:00 a.m. This internationally renowned company presents uplifting contemporary dance to audiences around the world with its bold, athletic personality and joyous movements. Recommended for Grades 3–12. $8.50 group/$9.50 for individuals.
• Twelfth Night, Warehouse Theatre – Thursday, October 20, 2016, 9:30 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Shakespeare’s comedy explores the perils of being young, confused, and in love in a light-hearted but earnest manner, proving that even serious lessons in life can be founded in humor. Recommended for Grades 6–12. $7.50 group/$8.50 for individuals.
• The Wright Brothers: Those Daring Young Men and Their Flying Machine, Fresh Brewed Productions – Thursday, November 10, 2016, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Join the Wright Brothers in this musical play about their adventures in and around their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio and at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Follow the brothers from the time they begin to work on the problems of flight, to working on their inventions, through disappointments that nearly make them abandon their dream, to their final perseverance and triumph at Kitty Hawk. Recommended for Grades 2–6. $6.50 group/$7.50 for individuals.
• Skippyjon Jones: Snow What, Theatreworks USA – Tuesday & Wednesday, November 15 & 16, 2016, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Join Skippyjon Jones, the Siamese cat who believes he is a Mexican Chihuahua, in a musical twist on the classic fairytale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, based on the book by Judy Schachner. Recommended for Grades PreK–3. $6.50 group/$7.50 for individuals.
• Alice in Wonderland, Lexington Children’s Theatre – Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 10:00 a.m. When boredom strikes, what else is there for Alice to do but follow the curious white rabbit all the way down the rabbit-hole? Recommended for Grades PreK–3. $6.50 group/$7.50 for individuals.
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Lexington Children’s Theatre – Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 12:00 p.m. Based on Kate DiCamillo’s beloved book, this play follows the trials of Edward Tulane, the most exceptional toy in Abilene’s room, as he finds himself lost and in need of a way home. Recommended for Grades 3–6. $6.50 group/$7.50 for individuals.
• Shadowland by Pilobolus – Thursday, January 26, 2017, 10:00 a.m. This coming of age tale has the fluid logic of a dream, the grace of an acrobatic dance, the humor of a child’s cartoon diversion, and the heart of a love story. Recommended for Grades 3–12. $8.50 group/$9.50 for individuals.
• Much Ado About Nothing, Aquila Theatre Company – Monday, February 6, 2017, 10:00 a.m. This New York-based company brings one of Shakespeare’s beloved comedies to life: a tale of spying, subterfuge, deception, misunderstandings, and love, in one full-length performance. Recommended for Grades 9–12. $11 group/$12 for individuals.
• Camille A. Brown and Dancers – Friday, February 17, 2017, 10:00 a.m. Camille A. Brown introduce historical topics through compelling storytelling and dance styles such as hip hop, African, ballet, and tap, all while connecting past and present with touches of comedy, politics and humor. Recommended for Grades 5–12. $8.50 group/$9.50 for individuals.
• The Teacher from the Black Lagoon and other storybooks, Theatreworks USA – Tuesday & Wednesday, February 21 & 22, 2017, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Based on the hit book by Mike Thaler and Jared Lee, this musical revue examines how rumors can make a student create a monster out of any teacher. The production also features stories from other favorite contemporary children’s books. Recommended for Grades K–4. $6.50 group/$7.50 for individuals.
• Charlotte’s Web, Theatreworks USA – Thursday & Friday, April 20 & 21, 2017, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. A heartwarming tale of friendship, E.B. White’s original story comes to life and follows Charlotte the spider’s efforts to ensure Wilbur the pig’s permanent residence on Zuckerman’s farm. Recommended for Grades K–5. $6.50 group/$7.50 for individuals.
The 2016/2017 Matinee Series performances are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council. The Warehouse Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night and Aquila Theatre’s production of Much Ado About Nothing are a part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a national program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Additional support is provided by Matinee Series Sponsors Wells Fargo and the John and Darlene McNabb Charitable Foundation.
The entrance for the Diana Wortham Theatre is marked by the location of the theatre’s marquee between 12 and 14 Biltmore Avenue. Patrons enter the theatre through the breezeway between Marble Slab Creamery and White Duck Taco, and into a large interior courtyard with multiple glass doors which lead to the theatre’s lower lobby and box office. The intimate theatre seats just over 500 and boasts exceptional acoustics and sightlines, making it the premier performance space in Western North Carolina. The Mainstage Series is supported by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency. The Mainstage Series 2016/2017 Season Sponsors are 67 Biltmore Downtown Eatery & Catering, Asheville Citizen-Times, Blue Moon Water, Creative Energy, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. To obtain more information on the Mainstage Series or to purchase tickets, call the theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com.
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