Category: Theater

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Film, Theater

LET’S GET DIGITAL: Ashley Strand and Katherine Carr film ‘The Book of Mark’

When Wilmington’s Ashley Strand and Katherine Carr set out to film “The Book of Mark,” Strand says they didn’t have anything in mind for the project other than to simply make the best of a bad situation that is the unending black hole of COVID cancellations. “Like everyone else, we are doing our best to make lemonade out of lemons,” he says, “and when the … Continue reading LET’S GET DIGITAL: Ashley Strand and Katherine Carr film ‘The Book of Mark’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

REPETITION AND IMAGINATION: Ashley Strand dives deep once again into ‘King James Live’

  Repetition and imagination. That’s how Ashley Strand says he was able to memorize the massive Biblical text for his two-hour, one-man performance of “King James Live.” Specifically, he’s referring to a technique for leveraging visual memory: “the memory palace.” “What’s interesting is there’s feedback between rote techniques, like the memory palace, and deeper imagination work,” Strand explains. “So when I had to remember the … Continue reading REPETITION AND IMAGINATION: Ashley Strand dives deep once again into ‘King James Live’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

TRULY TAILORED: Holiday ballet celebrates the season at the Wilson Center

  “I know Christmas is coming soon when I find ‘Nutcracker’ sheet music in my mailbox,” muses  Beverly Andrews, concertmaster of the City Ballet Orchestra. “Opening the familiar score is like greeting a favorite old friend again.” Andrews and City Ballet Orchestra members’ homes have been filled with sounds of Sugar Plum Fairies for months. They’ve been preparing the return of “A Carolina Nutcracker” to … Continue reading TRULY TAILORED: Holiday ballet celebrates the season at the Wilson Center

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

SEE, HEAR, FEEL: ‘Awakening’ debuts November 22 at Thalian Hall

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for choreographer Alyona Amato. Her piece, “Crook,” was among almost a dozen performances featured in Dance-a-lorus at Cucalorus 25 on November 13. Amato brought her experimental piece to life with fellow dancer and filmmaker Emily Bannerman. Accustomed to collaborating with painters, visual artists and musicians, the Russian-born dancer grew up in Siberia, where she became enamored with dance … Continue reading SEE, HEAR, FEEL: ‘Awakening’ debuts November 22 at Thalian Hall

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: (Dis)connect with ‘OK GURGLE’ at Cucalorus 25

“Just like Ariel [from ‘The Little Mermaid’], we all wanna be where the people are,” artist Alexis Powell says. She’s talking about connectivity—especially between artists, musicians and working creatives in the digital age. “Big tech knows that and uses it to its advantage.” “I love the internet,” Candace B. Thompson adds. “I was an early smart-phone adopter, and I use Instagram constantly in my work … Continue reading WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE: (Dis)connect with ‘OK GURGLE’ at Cucalorus 25

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

BEYOND ONE ROLE: ‘Shakespeare in Love’ opens this week at Thalian Hall

  Many of us hear “Shakespeare in Love” and automatically think of the 1998 movie with Joseph Fiennes playing a young Bard, and Gwenyth Paltrow as Viola de Lesseps, an aspiring actor forbidden to take her place on stage. As its title promises, Shakespeare falls in love with Viola and sets into motion an Elizabethan-era romantic comedy. Making matters worse, the famed playwright is dealing … Continue reading BEYOND ONE ROLE: ‘Shakespeare in Love’ opens this week at Thalian Hall

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, FEATURE MAIN, Reviews, Interviews and Features, Theater

ABOUT WOMEN, STARRING WOMEN: Big Dawg brings historic femme figures to Cape Fear Playhouse in ‘The Revolutionists’

Big Dawg’s ‘The Revolutionists’ features historic femme figures fighting for a voice during the French Revolution, with modern twists, comedy and connections to today’s pursuit of equality. Continue reading ABOUT WOMEN, STARRING WOMEN: Big Dawg brings historic femme figures to Cape Fear Playhouse in ‘The Revolutionists’

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

Hope, Even in Fear:

Man of La Mancha Thalian Hall, main stage 310 Chestnut St. 8/31-9/4, 9/9-11; 8 p.m. Sun. matinees, 3 p.m. •$23-$25 http://www.thalianhall.org pedlamps.org It’s a story that has been told and retold in many ways—a true classic, where our heroes are optimistic and imaginative, even if pitted against cynicism. Don Quixote has been conceived in literature, movies and even TV shows, including on PBS’s “Wishbone” (”two … Continue reading Hope, Even in Fear:

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, Theater

Reprising Family:

Just Our Luck ByChance Productions Cape Fear Playhouse 613 Castle Street 8/18-21, 25-28, 8 p.m. $12 (910) 471-5690 Siblings often have unique dynamics. Like finger prints, no two relationships are alike. However, sometimes the roles they play in each other’s lives change, whether welcome or not. There’s often love, heartbreak, humiliation, confusion—the usual stuff. (I’ll admit: I often feel lucky being a one-man show when … Continue reading Reprising Family:

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