onstage fall 2010

BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS

onstageFall 2010

DRESSING THE DREAMGIRLSAward winning designer William Ivey Long revisits

‘60s & ‘70s silhouettes and street clothes. p. 12

TALKIN’ ‘9 TO 5’Director, ‘Idol’ clock in onDolly’s beloved musical p. 8

CRAVING COMEDY?From satire to slapstick, theCenter’s got your flavor. p. 6

Belk TheaterBooth PlayhouseStage Door Theater

Knight TheaterLevine Center for the Arts

McGlohon TheatreDuke Energy TheatreSpirit Square

TICKETS: 704.372.1000 • BlumenthalCenter.org

TABLE of CONTENTSBOARD ofTRUSTEESMichael D. BarnesAmy Rice BlumenthalSam BowlesSue BreckenridgeCatherine DuncanCharlie ElbersonWalter D. Fisher, Jr., ChairDorlisa K. Flur, Chair-ElectDr. Peter C. GormanCharles L. HarringtonDavid L. Hauser, TreasurerSally HawkRebecca HendersonSteven HockfieldWilliam Todd HouserSunny Harris HutchinsonSusan Jamison, SecretaryPatsy B. KinseyJohn LassiterDr. Joan LordenRick D. PuckettJennifer RobertsR. Glenn Sherrill, Jr.Anne StolzGregory L. TaylorC. Hunter WidenerRichard T. “Stick” Williams

ONstage

We welcome your feedback and suggestions.Please contact Crystal Dempsey, 704-348-5787or [email protected]

On the Cover: ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA),MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE) AND THE COMPANY OF DREAMGIRLS. PHOTO BYJOAN MARCUS.

Editor-in-Chief Crystal Dempsey

WritersLiz Bertrand

Courtney DevoresJenn Q. GodduDaniel Knaub

Graphic Designer Jessica Stanley

Letter from the President ................................................3

Center News Briefs ................................................4-5

Looking for Laughs ........................................................6-7

Talkin’ 9 TO 5....................................................................8-9

The Office: Then & Now ......................................................10

Five Ways to Enjoy the Holidays ............................................11

DREAMGIRLS Dream Come True for Renowned Designer..12-15

Couple Helps Dreams Come True for Young Artists ........16-17

Calendar of Events ..............................................18-19

Center Employee’s Generosity Makes Headlines ..................20

Development News ............................................21-23

Fall 2010

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QUENTIN “Q” TALLEY. Story page 4.

DON AND MARY DOCTOR ONSTAGE WITH CENTER PRESIDENT, TOM GABBARD. Story page 16.

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Facebook.com/NCBPAC Twitter.com/BlumenthalShows YouTube.com/NCBPAC

This season theater fans can look forward to moregreat choices in shows than ever before. Each monthfeatures at least one major theatrical show, and somemonths even more. From current Broadway hits toclassics, you’ll find plenty of good reasons to join us.

We’re very grateful for the help of so many friendswho are committed to making sure that youngpeople and families have access to arts education andenrichment. In this issue of Onstage you’ll read aboutDon and Mary Doctor, a couple who have inspiredall of us here. Their vision and generosity hastouched the lives of hundreds of young people.

In 2004, our Education Department organized afew “Poetry Slams” around town to develop interestfor our run of the Broadway show “Def Poetry Jam.”Little did we know the seeds being planted. Six yearslater and we now have a Charlotte team who werenational champs twice, as well as a youth programfor high school-aged poets. Our hope was to see anAfrican-American focused theater company developfrom this group of artists, and now that’s happenedthanks to the leadership of Quentin “Q” Talley.

Each year a dedicated group of volunteers raisesfunds for our education and enrichment activitiesthrough our Corporate Campaign. This year’scampaign is led by James Downs, Vice-President ofCrosland. We’re so grateful to James and the fifty orso volunteers who work on the campaign, as well asto the dozens of local businesses whose support helpsus to serve this community.

We’re committed to doing everything we can tobring great shows to Charlotte. We frequently

become investors and co-producers of originalproductions on Broadway, as well as London and inUS national tours. This last season we were honoredto be associated with two Tony Award® winners onBroadway. RED, from the Donmar Warehouse inLondon, won the Tony Award® for Broadway’s BestNew Play. Les Cage aux Folles won the Tony Award®

for Best Revival of a Musical. This season we areproducers of the national tour of the musical 9 to 5which will make its third stop on the tour inCharlotte. All of these initiatives are focused onmaking sure that great shows come to Charlotte, andthat they come early in their tour.

Many fans connect with us online! In fact, onlineticket sales have become our most popular way topurchase tickets. Be sure to check out our upgradedweb site, as well as our Facebook page, or if you arereally tech-savvy, follow us on Twitter.

Thanks so much for your support of theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center. It’s an honor foreach of us on the staff to serve a great community.


Tom GabbardPresident

PRESIDENT’SwordsTOM GABBARD

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ON Q’S SEASON REFLECTS ONTHE MINORITY EXPERIENCEOn Q Productions, one of the Center’s newest residentcompanies, rolls into its second full season with pieces thatexamine the African-American experience in the 20th century.It opens with the classic “Ain’t Misbehavin’” on Sept. 22.

The Center’s relationship with the company developed afterPresident Tom Gabbard worked with SlamCharlotte, the award-winning slam poetry group. Gabbard and others at the Centerrecognized the talent and vision of Quentin “Q” Talley, On Q’sartistic director, and the need for diverse programming.

“It has meant the world to our team to be in a professionalenvironment as we strive to bring classic, contemporary andoriginal minority performance works to the Charlottecommunity,” says Talley, who formed On Q in 2001.Other scheduled works include:

• “Home,” Nov. 26-Dec. 5• “Day of Absence,” March 2-5• “The Colored Museum,” March 30-April 10• “Fabulation,” June 15-26

More info: BlumenthalCenter.org; search for On Q Productions.

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To provide fans with a better online experience, the Center made anumber of changes to enhance our web site and enrich our socialmedia presence.

BIG SCREEN: Visit BlumenthalCenter.org and you’ll notice abigger video player for previews of shows in the Duke EnergyBroadway Lights Series and our many attractions as well as theEducation Department programs and dedicated pages forcorporate sponsors.

ONLINE HELP: Have a question about a show or how to buytickets? Click on the “Live Assistance” button for help. The serviceis available during the Center’s business hours.

MORE VIDEO: The Marketing Department will be producingoriginal video content from audience reactions to backstage tours.Watch for the Marketing team at the next show! Maybe you’ll befeatured in one of their videos.

FACEBOOK: Our page features event announcements, shownews, polls and links to contests and stories about the Center’s

CENTER OFFERS TICKETSCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES, KIDSThanks to two scholarship programs, families and Big Brothers/BigSisters will be able to experience top quality, traveling Broadwayshows and learn more about the performing arts.

On Family First Nights, in its second year, are made possible by giftsfrom the Duke Energy Foundation (sponsor of the Center’sBroadway Lights Series), the Don Doctor Family Foundation, Targetand The Broadway League (the industry’s national trade associationand founder of Family First Nights).

Families will be offered discounted tickets toWHITE CHRISTMAS,INTHEHEIGHTS and SHREKTHEMUSICAL. Also, they willbe invited to pre-show activities hosted by the Blumenthal’s EducationDepartment or post-showQ&As with cast members and show personnel.

The Center is working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of GreaterCharlotte to give more children and teens a chance to see quality artsprograms. With this pilot effort, tickets will be used for “Big & LittleOutings” and as rewards and incentives.

“The Center is pleased to play a significant role in helping build aculturally-rich community by making high-quality performing artsprograms accessible to as many families and youth as possible,” saidRalph Beck, Director of Education for the Center.

SELANA SCOTT PLAYED “HESTER” IN “IN THE BLOOD” BY SUZAN LORI-PARKS DURING ON Q PRODUCTIONS’ SEASON 1: ALL IN THE FAMILY.

CENTERnewsBRIEFS

STAY IN TOUCH ONLINE

A CHILD PARTICIPATES IN A PRE-SHOW ACTIVITY AT THE ALUMINUM SHOW’S FAMILY FIRST NIGHT.


PHOT

OBY

LOVO


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programs and employees. We added a Facebook Connectapplication to the Center’s web site so you can easily share withfriends when you’re going to a show. Find us atFacebook.com/NCBPAC or search for “Blumenthal PerformingArts Center.”

TWITTER: If you’re a Twitter fan, you can catch the latestheadlines and occasional ticket giveaways. Follow us:@BlumenthalShows or Twitter.com/BlumenthalShows.

YOUTUBE:We’re using our YouTube channel to create videoplaylists of Broadway shows, musicians, bands, comedians andmore. Check it out at http://www.YouTube.com/NCBPAC.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Got a suggestion about the Center’sweb site or online presence? Contact Communications ManagerCrystal Dempsey: [email protected] or 704-348-5787.

CENTER SAMPLERS NOW ON SALEThe Center Sampler is now available so theatergoers can createindividualized ticket packages. You can pick four or more showsfrom the Center’s line-up and get great benefits like guaranteedseats* for shows from our Broadway or special attractions lineup.You can lock down seats before many shows go on sale to thepublic and save 5% on many shows, including all seating levelsand performance times, even weekends!

Choose from the Center’s Broadway titles such as BLUE MANGROUP, CATS and BILLY ELLIOT. Or mix in specialattractions like Lily Tomlin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, DavidSedaris, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas and more.**

For the best value, seven- and eight-show Duke EnergyBroadway Lights Series season subscriptions are available for alimited time. Subscribers save up to 10% off single ticket pricesfor many shows and receive an assigned seat. For more details:BlumenthalCenter.org/Broadway.

For more info on the Center Sampler: 704-372-1000 orBlumenthalCenter.org/sampler.

*Center Sampler seats are not renewable for future seasons. If you are interested in renewableseats, please check out our Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series Season Subscriptions. With theSWAP-A-SHOW benefit offered exclusively for Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series Seasonsubscribers, you also can mix an attraction into your Broadway season subscription.

**Interested in a Center show not listed as available via a Sampler? Please call704.335.1010 for assistance.

RECORD NUMBER ATTEND 6THANNUAL TONY AWARDS® PARTYThe Center successfully hosted the 6th Annual Tony Awards® partyon June 13 in the McGlohon Theatre. Over 265 theater fans were inattendance to watch Memphis get crowned Best Musical on the bigscreen. The FREE event featured heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Guests received a gift bag that contained SHREK THEMUSICAL ogre ears, a FREE ticket to the summer hit GIRLSONLY, a flyer with ticket discounts to several Center attractions, araffle ticket for special giveaways and a piece of Broadway swag.

During the telecast’s commercial breaks, partygoers saw videohighlights of the 2010-2011 Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series.The Center gave away special prize packages that included a pairof tickets to each of the Center’s upcoming Broadway shows.

One of the evening’s highlights came when Don Doctor took thestage with his unsuspecting wife, who learned in front of the audiencethat he had created a college scholarship in her name. A visuallysurprised and moved Mary Doctor could barely get a word out, butwas sure to thank her husband who has been a sublime example ofselflessness in his support of the Center and the arts in general.

Over the six years, the Center’s annual Tony Awards Party hasbecome the go-to event for area theater fans that want to watchthe telecast amongst the camaraderie of other Broadwayenthusiasts. Don’t miss next year’s event.

THE FREE SHREK OGRE EARS WERE A BIG HIT WITH THE AUDIENCE DURING THE TONY AWARDS PARTY IN THE McGLOHON.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CELTIC THUNDER, BRIAN D’ARCY JAMES (SHREK) © 2008 DREAMWORKS THEATRICALS, CLAY AIKEN, AVENUE Q NATIONALTOUR 2009. KERRI BRACKIN, TREKKIE MONSTER, JASON HEYMANN © JOHN DAUGHTRY 2009.

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LOOKING FOR LAUGHS?You can select your flavor of funny this fallBy Crystal Dempsey

A few years ago, Charlotte’s main comedy venue closedand left those who like to laugh without a place to gather.

Enter the Center. This year, between the Center’s showsand the Comedy Zone partnership, the roster runs the gamut

from slapstick to satire to stand-up. And there’s even a legendin the mix.

Here’s a guide to the giggles, guffaws and “Now that’s justwrong” groans:

NAMES YOU KNOW(Or Faces You May Recognize)

Lily Tomlin Oct. 24 • Belk TheaterThe legendary Lily Tomlin wears more hats thanmost entertainers. Expect an evening of her greatest

hits. Among her accomplishments:• Comedian. Memorable characters“Edith Ann” and “Ernestine.”• Films: “Nashville” (Oscar®

nomination), “9 to 5,” and “APrairie Home Companion.”• TV: “Laugh In,” “Murphy

Brown,” “Will & Grace,” “West Wing,” “Damages”(Emmy nomination) and “The Simpsons.”• Broadway: Received a Tony® for her one-woman show,Appearing Nitely and a secondTony® as Best Actress forher one-woman performance in JaneWagner’s The Searchfor Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.• Other accolades: Grammy for “This is a Recording”comedy album; two Peabodys: “Edith Ann’s Christmas:Just Say Noël” and “The Celluloid Closet.”

David Sedaris Oct. 18 • BelkAuthor (“Santaland Diaries”; “MeTalk Pretty One Day”); NPR rockstar; former N.C. resident; brotherof Amy (“Strangers with Candy”)and the Rooster. Book coming outSept. 23: “Squirrel Seeks

Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary.”

Harland Williams Nov. 8 • McGlohon TheatreCharacter actor known for moviessuch as “There’s Something AboutMary,” “Dumb and Dumber,” “HalfBaked” and “Rocket Man.” Aregular on the night talk showcircuit, a children’s book author anda Canadian.

Jon Reep Dec. 4 • McGlohon TheatreHickory native who won “LastComic Standing” (season 5) andfamously asked “That thing gottaHemi?” in a truck commercial.Appeared in “Harold & KumarEscape from Guantanamo Bay” andcoined the phrase “Metro Jethro.”

DECONSTRUCTIONISTS(They explain big topics with their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks.)

Reduced Shakespeare Company:The Complete World of Sports (abridged)Nov. 2-7 @ Booth PlayhouseThe comedy troupe that’s tackled Shakespeare,American history, the Bible and Hollywood now trainstheir sights on sports. Yes, in less than 120 minutes, the“Bad Boys of Abridgment” will cover every single sportever played in the world, says Reed Martin, a founderof Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC).

Not possible you say? Exactly the point, Martin says. The group takes “long,serious subjects and turns them into short, sharp comedies.”

However, the process to develop a show isn’t abridged. RSC works for more than ayear on writing and rehearsing. And even after it’s done, it’s not really. Theycontinue honing, tightening and tweaking because until it’s in front of an audience,you never know what will get the laughs, says Martin.

RSC got its start doing brief bits of the Bard on the Renaissance Fair circuit soreducing the complete works of William Shakespeare was a natural next step,Martin said. The rest just came as the times or demand dictated.

Sports seemed a natural next step given the worldwide obsession with everythingfrom soccer to football to curling. But do you have to be a sports fan to enjoy thenew show? “If you like sports, you will love the show,” Martin says. “And if youhate sports, you will love the show.”

World Of Jewtopia Oct. 1-3 @ Booth PlayhouseBryan Fogel and Jeremy Rishe explain Judaism by mashingup scenes from “Jewtopia” (the show) with a little stand-up,a few excerpts from Jewtopia: The Chosen Book for theChosen People and a little multi-media madness.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION(Good to know before you go if you’re shy!)

Whose Live Anyway?Sept. 25 • Knight TheaterThis 90-minute escapade, featuring Ryan Stiles,Greg Proops, Chip Esten and Jeff B. Davis, is based on the games from theEmmy-nominated “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Come ready to play!

The London Broil ShowOct. 27-29 & Nov. 17-19 • Duke Energy TheatreTheir show is like hanging out with your buds … that just happen to be throwingknives, fire and more at each other, says Douglas Young, the Center’s VicePresident of Programming. Families and hipsters equally will love it, Young says.

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Basic TrainingOct. 12-24 • Stage Door TheaterKahlil Ashanti returns with his show about life in an Air Forceentertainment troupe, his search for his biological father and hischildhood. In a little more than an hour, Ashanti portrays 23characters with no props – just a man and the stage.

As a kid, laughter was an escape. While hedid sneak downstairs to listen to a RichardPryor album, Ashanti was really a huge fan ofDon Knotts (“Barney” on the Andy Griffithshows). “And I watched a little too much ofthe Looney Toons cartoons,” he confesses,citing his love of Mel Blanc and the WarnerBros. franchise.

“Basic Training” began as a stand-up routineabout Tops In Blue, a special unit of amateurperformers. Ashanti says its evolution beganto a theatrical show when actor/comedianJeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development,”“The Hangover”) challenged him in aworkshop to stop going for the obvious andto get real.

Tambor was right. “People laughed harderwhen I added in my story,” Ashanti says.

Now, Ashanti shares the not-so-“Cosby” storyof his childhood. It’s comedy born of the painof an abusive childhood. One minute, you’relaughing, and the next you’re fighting a tear.

Ashanti stands by the door after each show to

thank the audience (a hold-over from Tops In Blue). One night inScotland, a beefy fisherman “straight off the ‘Deadliest Catch’” andwith “hands of asbestos” approached him, looked the actor in theeye and vowed never to beat his wife again.

That moment reaffirmed Tambor’s wisdom: When you get real withthe audience, they get real with you.

My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’mHome For The HolidaysNov. 30 - Dec. 5 • Booth Playhouse

Oy! He’s back.Steve Solomonfollows up lastyear’s Charlottedebut with tales ofwhat happenswhen 35 relativescome together fora meal atgrandmother’shouse. And there’sone toilet. Capisce?

STAND-UP(A comedian, a mic and you. And a bunch of other people.)

Ben BaileySept. 26 • McGlohon Theatre

You know him best as the Emmy-winninghost of “Cash Cab” and “Cash Cab: After

Dark,” but he also does stand-up and he’s anactor (Spiderman 2,” “Law & Order: SVU,”

“Hope & Faith,” “One Live to Live”).

Mike BirbigliaNov. 5 • Knight TheaterA brand new show for a brand new tourthat coincides with his brand new book,“Sleepwalk With Me And Other PainfullyTrue Stories.” Fans, critics, late night showhosts and Ira Glass love him.

ONE-MAN SHOWS(Often focused on family and all of its dysfunction.)

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Most everyone’s had a bad day at the office. It’s a fact 9TO 5: THE MUSICAL capitalizes upon – even if not everyonegoes so far as to kidnap the boss aspunishment for bad behavior.

Playing at Ovens AuditoriumOct. 5-10, the national tour of 9 TO5 is what director Jeff Calhoun callsa “new realization of the show” thatplayed on Broadway in 2009receiving multiple Tony® and DramaDesk nominations.

Calhoun was given carteblanche to develop the touringversion. Nevertheless, his 9 TO 5remains true to the story, first toldin a 1980 movie, of three frustratedwomen who decide to get back attheir sexist boss. He’s also cut onlyone of the songs Parton wrote forthe Broadway premiere. (Of course it’s not the title song you’relikely humming as you read this.)

“Dolly knows how to write good tunes,” Calhoun said.Plus, “It’s a story that everybody loves. Those that remember

the movie fondly want to see it. Then for younger generationsthat came after the movie, it will be fun to see a little bit of

American culture back in a time whenthe women were really subservient tothe men in the workplace.”

While inequity for womenworkers, regrettably, can still resonatetoday, Calhoun says the message issecond to having a fun evening in thetheater.

His new vision firmlycontextualizes the show in 1979 andgives the musical a variety show feel.“There are so many limitations whenyou are touring a show,” he said in aphone interview. “I happen to likethose limitations…on Broadway youcan spend $18 million and doeverything you want…[but] I find that

with less money you’re forced to use more ingenuity.”Calhoun has, for instance, found a clever way to include

Parton (she starred in the movie, but didn’t appear onBroadway) even though she won’t be touring. “Dolly will

TALKIN’ ‘9 TO 5’Director Refreshes Show For Its 1st National TourWith A Dash Of Dolly And An ‘Idol’ Named DianaBy Jenn Goddu

9 TO 5 ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

DIRECTOR JEFF CALHOUN

certainly have a strong personality in the evening and it’s veryinfectious.”

Calhoun is familiar with that personality, having first metthe singer while filming Best LittleWhorehouse in Texas in 1981. “To gofrom chorus boy with Dolly to directingher baby is really quite an honor,” saidthe director andco-choreographer. “I feel that pressurenot to let her down.”

Yet he laughs at the idea that hemight feel pressure working with a castintent on making revenge fantasy funny.“I’m a very different boss than Hart,”Calhoun says.

Cast member Diana DeGarmoconfirms his take on the cast. She’sworked with Calhoun before inBROOKLYN (2004-05) and was eagerto work with him again. He was only part of the job’s appeal,though. The minute DeGarmo saw the Broadway show shewanted to tour as “Doralee.”

“Doralee” is “a strong, sweet, feisty, Southern woman”whereas “a lot of time a lot of Southern characters get reallydumbed down,” said the former Miss Teen Georgia in a phoneinterview.

Born in 1987, DeGarmo doesn’t know firsthand theplight of a 1979 working woman. In fact, she’s never even

worked in an office – although she did work at Dollywood as akid. Yet she’s certain she can relate. “At the end of the dayeverybody has a hard time at the workplace every now and

then.” (Perhaps she thought of stringing upjudge Simon Cowell while a finalist inAmerican Idol’s third season?)

DeGarmo admits she’s a little intimidatedtaking on a role so firmly associated withParton. “The best and worst thing aboutcoming to a role that has already been famousby someone that is so famous is that peoplealready have an idea of who ‘Doralee’ is. So, ofcourse you have to bring a part of that so thatpeople recognize the character,” she said. “Atthe same time…I’m going to be a littledifferent because I’m Diana.”

Her goal is to keep the character “as realand bright and fun and Southern as possible.”DeGarmo’s excited, after all, to get the

opportunity to “finally be a Southern girl again and let myaccent just fly.”

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The Blumenthal Performing Arts Centeris co-producing the national tour of9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL with Fox Theatricalsand Houston’s Theater Under the Stars.As a general partner, the Center isresponsible for everything from hiring thecreative staff and casting to booking thetour and raising the $3.5 million that theshow costs to mount.

Show BusinessPartners

9 TO 5: THE MUSICALOCT. 5-10 • OVENS AUDITORIUMTues. - Thurs. 7:30PM • Fri. 8PM

Sat. 2PM & 8PM • Sun. 1:30PM & 7PM

DIANA DEGARMO

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MARCIE DODD. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

THE OFFICE: THEN & NOWIt’s been more than 30 years since “9 To 5,” the movie, debuted. Look how muchthe workplace has changed in those three decades:

The Office

Gathering Place

Main Equipment

Spreadsheet

Mistake Correction

Caffeine Provider

Safety Concerns

Stress Relief

Staff Meetings

Footwear

Security

2010

Microwave

Computer

Excel

“Delete” Key

Starbucks

Carpal Tunnel

Surfing Facebook

Skype

Flip-Flop

Uniformed guards,pass codes, cameras

1979

Water Cooler

Electric Typewriter

Ledger

Wite Out

Mr. Coffee

Harassment

Cigarette Break

Conference Room

Power Pump

Uniformed Guards

Compiled by Crystal Dempsey, Jessica Stanley and Wendy Oglesby

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5Mannheim Steamroller Christmas (Nov. 21 • Belk Theater)Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller are celebrating over 25years of bringing its annual Christmas concert tour to its faithfulfans. "We're really excited to see all of our fans this Christmasseason throughout the country as we mark over a quarter of acentury of Christmas tours," said Chip Davis, creator ofMannheim Steamroller. The tour will feature the distinctiveChristmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with a state ofthe art and always a crowd pleaser, multi-media extravaganza.

Celtic Thunder It’s Entertainment & Christmas(Nov. 28 • Belk Theater)Celtic Thunder was formed in 2007, but sound as if they've beentogether for decades. Originating from Ireland and rich in vocaltalent are Celtic Thunder members Damian McGinty, KeithHarkin, Paul Byrom, Ryan Kelly and George Donaldson. They oftenblending classic songs and holiday tunes with theatrics and modernsounds. Their live shows are exciting, enchanting and complex,ranging from solo acts to spine tingling ensembles.

Handel’s Messiah Rocks (Nov. 29 • Belk Theater)Handel’s Messiah Rocks, a contemporary oratorio in three parts over90 minutes, explores the mystery of faith, the power of love and thehope for peace. Led by the melding of Handel’s original work fororchestra and voice with the contemporary vernacular of rock, eachelement of the production contributes to the exploration, raisingquestions of light, darkness, sadness and beauty; illuminating thejourney of the Messiah.

My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m Home For theHolidays (Nov. 30 - Dec. 5 • Booth Playhouse)The holidays, a time of cheer, a time of joy. A time ofremembering why you left home in the first place! Join SteveSolomon, star and creator of the award-winning smash comedyMy Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish and I'm in Therapy, as helightens up the season with more "mishuginah" exploits aboutspending holidays with his family -- who drove him into therapyin the first place! Bring your relatives!

WHITE CHRISTMAS (Dec. 7-12 • Ovens Auditorium)Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of twobuddies who put on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn, andfind their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing andlaughter, Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS is a merry andbright theatrical experience for the entire family. Featuring someof the greatest songs ever written, including “Happy Holidays,”“Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep,” “I Love a Piano,”“Snow” and the unforgettable title song, “White Christmas,” thisproduction plays during the holiday season, bringing the spirit oflove, charity and song to Charlotte for all to enjoy.

By Daniel Knaub

5 WAYS TO ENJOY THEHOLIDAYS!

2007 TOTS PRODUCTION. TANNER PHOTOGRAPHY.


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12DREAMGIRLS DREAM COMES TRUEFOR RENOWNED DESIGNERWilliam Ivey Long Revisits Fashion Trends And Works On An Old RivalBy Courtney Devores

Re-imagining a classic Broadwaymusical that’s recently become an Oscar®-winning film isn’t an easy task.

“In many ways it’s actually more difficultto follow what I cheekily call a previouslyowned vehicle,” says costume designer WilliamIvey Long, a Carolinas native. The desire to beglitzier, glammier, bigger and better whilecapturing the sparkle of the big screen withoutsacrificing the magic of the original is achallenge.

Yet producer John Breglio, director RobertLongbottom and the cast and crew of the recentDREAMGIRLS revival, which begins BelkTheater engagement Nov. 9, were up to the task.

The revival includes new music byoriginal DREAMGIRLS composer andGrammy winner Henry Krieger whore-envisioned “Listen” (Beyonce’s hit fromthe film) as a duet between leads Effie andDeena. There are new costumes, a new castthat includes former “American Idol” Season7 runner-up Syesha Mercado and new setsdesigned by Robin Wagner, the musical’soriginal scenic designer.

“It’s 30 years later. How do we look atthe ’60s and ’70s today?” asks Long, whogrew up in Rock Hill. “WhenDREAMGIRLS was originally produced itwasn’t even recent history. It was almostcontemporary. The (story) stops in 1978.The authors were writing it in 1978 and1979 and it opened in 1981. That produceda certain take on the period. Now much ofthe audience didn’t live through that periodso you want to show a sort of telescopic viewof the ’60s and ’70s.”

For Long that meant he had to “do thegreatest hits through silhouette, fabric andcolor to support the change in the music fromearly Motown into disco,” a period of 14 yearsthat featured some of the 20th century’s biggestfashion trends and breakthroughs. Unlike someof DREAMGIRLS audience members, Long,


WILLIAM IVEY LONG.

who is now 63, actually lived through the period.“I remember buying all the Supremes’ albums when they

came out,” he adds. Fashion wasn’t as fresh in his mindthough. “When you’re living through something, you have noperspective. I had to re-research it. We’ve been recycling the’60s and ’70s for the last 30 years. The ’80s and ’90s are justrecyclables. When I was designing the show I thought, ‘Lookin that window, there’s the ’60s.’ ”

Yet the modern re-telling of DREAMGIRLS, the story ofa girl group that splinters when one member is singled out as astar, started with Wagner.

“The creation with how we were going to be different(from the original) started with the scenery, which is cinematicand moves very quickly. (Wagner) had been trailblazing andbreaking new ground on the original DREAMGIRLS,” Longrecalls. “He was one of the first to use computerized sceneryand big towers that move up and down and from side to side,which you see all the time now. He reinvented these LEDscreens that move in a split second or even faster.”

Wagner and Longbottom created a world that Long thenpopulated with spectacular gowns and period costumes. “Thatset the tone,” he says.

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THE ORIGINAL NATIONAL TOUR COMPANY OF MARY POPPINS PERFORM “SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS.” ©DISNEY/CML. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.


ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA) AND MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE). PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS. ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA), MOYA ANGELA (EFFIE). PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

FROM LEFT, ROBERT HARTWELL, JARRAN MUSE, MARC SPAULDING, CHAUNCEY JENKINS AND DOUGLAS LYONS ASLITTLE ALBERT AND THE TRU-TONES. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA) AND MARGARET HOFFMAN(MICHELLE). PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS

14


There’s a more personal reason that Long wanted achance to work on the show. When he made his Broadwaysplash with NINE in 1981, DREAMGIRLS was making itspremiere next door. The two competing productions literallyshared a back wall.

And then both shows topped the Tony® ballots. Longwon the costume design category. “It was very titillating beingcompared to the work of Theoni V. Aldredge, the original(costume) designer of DREAMGIRLS, who is still with usand still a brilliant designer. So I’ve always secretly andsometimes not so secretly wanted to have my own shot at it.”

It was not as if Long was hurting for work. His resumeincludes an astounding 50-plus Broadway shows. The five-time Tony® award winner’s recent credits include 9 TO 5 and

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Yet for Long, DREAMGIRLSwas, well, a dream.

“I did go after it. I wrote the producer because fouryears ago he revived A CHORUS LINE and had said inpress releases he wanted to revive DREAMGIRLS. Theyused all the original designs for the revival of A CHORUSLINE. So I assumed they would use the original designs forthe revival of DREAMGIRLS. Why not? They werebrilliant. So I wrote him and said, ‘Should you not use theoriginal designs I’d love to be considered.’ That’s how Iphrased it. You don’t want to be too pushy. That’s what welearn in the South – how to cover your pushiness,” he laughsheartily. “They decided to go a different way and I got thejob.”

ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA), MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE) AND THE COMPANY OF DREAMGIRLS. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE), ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA) AND THE COMPANY OF DREAMGIRLS. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS. ADRIENNE WARREN (LORRELL), SYESHA MERCADO (DEENA) AND MARGARET HOFFMAN (MICHELLE). PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

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Tony®-winning costume designer William Ivey Long grew up inRock Hill where his father founded the department of Dramatic Arts atWinthrop University and his mother taught theater at Rock Hill HighSchool.

The family spent summers in Manteo where they helped producethe historical Lost Colony production. Long, who began performing inthe production at age 8, recently completed his 40th season there. Hestudied history at William and Mary, art history at UNC Chapel Hilland drama at Yale before moving to New York City in the mid-’70s.

Long got his big break in 1981 when Nine premiered on Broadway.The production garnered him his first of five Tony Awards®. He designedcostumes for the Broadway productions of 9 TO 5 (Oct. 5-10) andYOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (March 15-20), both of which are in theCenter’s current Duke Energy Broadway Lights series. Other productionshave included: Hairspray, Chicago, Cabaret, Sweet Charity and TheProducers.

He’s working in Los Angeles on Alan Menken new musical Leap ofFaith, which stars Brooke Shields.

Every six weeks, Long returns to his family home in Seaboard, N.C.As president of the Eastern Seaboard Trust, a nonprofit focused on thearea’s revitalization and historic preservation, he has helped establish aclinic there and is working with NC State to create a satellite fashion andcostume design program.

CAROLINA ON HIS MINDDREAMGIRLSNOV. 9-14 • BELK THEATER

Tues. - Thurs. 7:30PM • Fri. 8PMSat. 2PM & 8PM • Sun. 1:30PM & 7PM

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST. PHOTO: PAUL KOLNIK.

9 TO 5 ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. ROGER BART & BETH CURRY.PHOTO: PAUL KOLNIK.

TREVON DAVIC (C.C.), CHAZ LAMAR SHEPHERD (CURTIS) AND CHESTER GREGORY (JAMES EARLY). PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

Photos from 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, playing at Ovens Auditorium Oct. 5-10

and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, playing at the Belk Theater March 10-15

16


“Heaven’s no!” says Don Doctor when asked if heparticipated in the arts as a kid. Raised on a rural farm in Indiana,it wasn’t until he was already in his 20s that this future CEO andpatron of the arts attended his first play.

But something must have clicked when he saw that firstshow. More than 30 years later, Doctor and his wife, Mary, are

making Broadway dreams come true for young people all aroundCharlotte through their partnership with the BlumenthalPerforming Arts Center.

Doctor is the chairman and CEO of Service MaintenanceSystems, Inc., an information technology company based inCharlotte. A conversation with a friend and former employee, who

COUPLE HELPS DREAMS COMETRUE FOR YOUNG ARTISTSDon And Mary Doctor Provide Scholarship And Opportunities ThroughPhilanthropic PartnershipBy Liz Bertrand

worked on the Blumenthal’s Corporate Campaign, initiallyinspired him to get involved as a donor to the Performing ArtsCenter.

The Doctor Family Foundation had supported camps andoutdoor education for kids for some time; finding a way toprovide similar access to the arts seemed like a natural extension ofthis mission.

The Broadway Junior Celebration – an annual event forstudents and teachers from elementary and middle schools –seemed to be the perfect place to start. For one jam-packed day,hundreds of kids have the chance to perform for professionalartists and attend workshops to hone their skills in musical theater.The Doctor Family Foundation has fully funded the programsince 2009 and purchases show kits – with scripts, scores andrecorded accompaniment – for schools that can’t afford them.

But this wasn’tenough for Doctor,who saw anopportunity toexpand access to thearts in multiple ways.“Let’s ‘beef up’ thatprogram inCharlotte,” becamehis mantra.

The couple’sgenerosity has led tomore innovative,hands-on artsprograms for kidsand teens. Someexamples: this pastspring, 12 local highschool students andthree teacherchaperones wereawarded an all-expense-paid trip toNew York throughthe ExpandingHorizons: BroadwayExperience program.Students wentthrough anapplication process tobe selected.

They receivedorchestra seats fortwo hit Broadwayshows, BILLYELLIOT THEMUSICAL and INTHE HEIGHTS,

participated in Q&A’s with each cast, met with other theaterprofessionals and toured Radio City Music Hall during thisincredible weekend. The students then wrote papers about the tripand what they learned.

The Doctor Family Foundation has also funded ticket accessprograms for young people to attend productions at theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center’s theaters. According toDoctor, he doesn’t just want kids to see a show from a fewleft-over balcony seats but to experience a professionalperformance from some of the best seats in the house.

It is this commitment to providing access to the best in thearts that really sets the Doctors apart. Cuts in Arts education inschools across the country have alarmed the couple. “For somestudents, the Arts may be the area where they excel and have apassion,” says Doctor. “Perhaps, math, English and sports are nottheir strong suits. When you have a ‘driver’ that makes you excitedto be at school, I believe you will see improvement in all areas ofacademics.”

He fears that gifted students might drop out of school whenthe Arts are removed from the curriculum. Doctor hopes tocounter-balance this phenomenon through the programs he hasdeveloped with the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

Another way the couple has worked toward this goal is bycreating a new scholarship fund to support students who want topursue the arts in a college or university.

Last spring, two $10,000 scholarships were awarded toBrianna Billiot and Devante Lawrence, who both attended PorterRidge High in Union County. Brianna will attend LibertyUniversity and pursue a Bachelor of Theater Arts. Devante willseek a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at Tisch School of the Artsat NYU.

The couple also established an endowment to fund futurescholarships through The Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust.

The Doctors’ support for the arts reflects anotherfundamental belief: the arts and artists are good for business. “Theperforming arts help promote great life skills,” he says.

Among them, he cites improved communication, creativity,memory and an ability to collaborate with others as particularlyuseful in a business setting. Doctor goes even further, suggestingthat certain artistic talents seem to have a correlation with successin specific fields. For instance, he has found that people with abackground in music often turn out to be adept in careers relatedto technology and computer programming.

“An arts background is something that we look for onresumes,” says Doctor.

For their significant contributions in promoting artseducation and access, Don and Mary Doctor were recentlyawarded a 2010 Star of Touring Broadway Award by TheBroadway League, the national trade association for the Broadwayindustry. But as a rule they like to stay out of the limelight. Theirbiggest satisfaction comes from seeing the smiles on kids’ faces andhearing their enthusiastic cheers after a performance, as theDoctors watch from the wings.

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18

SEPTEMBER20 MITCH FATEL

THE COMEDY ZONEMcGLOHONTHEATRE

21 A NIGHTTO REMEMBERECHO FOUNDATIONKNIGHTTHEATER

22 - OCT. 2 AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ON Q PRODUCTIONSDUKE ENERGYTHEATRE

24-25 ENDURING LOVERINCE NAH’EIREANN SCHOOLOF IRISH DANCEBOOTH PLAYHOUSE

24-25 ELGARCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

24 ESPERANZA SPALDINGSOL KITCHEN &SUNSET JAZZ FESTIVALKNIGHTTHEATER

25 WHOSE LIVEANYWAY?THE COMEDY ZONEKNIGHTTHEATER

25 CAROLINACOOL JAZZORCHESTRATHERESA JENKINS-RUSSMcGLOHONTHEATRE

26 BEN BAILEYTHE COMEDY ZONEMcGLOHONTHEATRE

28 GREAT BIG SEAMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

OCTOBER1-3 THEWORLD OF JEWTOPIA

BOOTH PLAYHOUSE1-2 THE DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA

CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

1 MARY CHAPIN CARPENTERMAXXMUSICKNIGHTTHEATER

1 AN EVENINGWITH LEDISI &ANTHONY DAVIDTHE SOL KITCHENMcGLOHONTHEATRE

2 THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHESCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

2 EDDIE FROM OHIOMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

5-10 9TO 5:THE MUSICALOVENS AUDITORIUM

8-16 DRACULANORTH CAROLINA DANCETHEATREKNIGHTTHEATER

8-9 DVORAK - FROMTHE NEWWORLDCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

8-23 REEFER MADNESS:THE MUSICALQUEEN CITY THEATRE COMPANYDUKE ENERGYTHEATRE

9 RICHARD MARXMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

12-24 BASICTRAININGSTAGE DOORTHEATER

14 THE PETER ROWAN BLUEGRASS BANDMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

15 SLAMCHARLOTTE POETRY SLAMMcGLOHONTHEATRE

16-17 TRICK ‘RTREATNORTH CAROLINA DANCETHEATREKNIGHTTHEATER

16-21 COSÌ FANTUTTEOPERA CAROLINABELK THEATER

17 COMEDYTURNS RIGHT: COMEDYFROMTHE POLITICAL RIGHTTHE COMEDY ZONEBOOTH PLAYHOUSE

17 INDIGO GIRLSMcGLOHONTHEATRE

17 SPEAK UPYOUTH POETRY SLAMDUKE ENERGYTHEATRE

18 ANEVENINGWITHDAVID SEDARISBELK THEATER

20 BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARSPRESENT BOMBAY BELLYWOODMcGLOHONTHEATRE

22 KNIGHTSOUNDS: PLANETCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAKNIGHTTHEATER

24 LILYTOMLINBELK THEATER

26 FAREED ZAKARIALEARNING SOCIETY OF QUEENSBELK THEATER FALL!

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTEROCTOBER 1 • KNIGHT THEATER

THE PETER ROWANBLUEGRASS BAND

OCTOBER 14 • McGLOHON THEATRE

RICHARD MARXOCTOBER 9 • McGLOHON THEATRE

AN EVENING WITHJEFF DANIELS


COMING

BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARSPRESENT BOMBAY BELLYWOOD


19

BENISEOCTOBER 31 • KNIGHT THEATER

NEW ORLEANS NIGHTS NOVEMBER 6 • KNIGHT THEATERALLEN TOUSSAINT, PHOTO BY LEE CRUM; JOE KROWN TRIO 2009; NICHOLAS PAYTON, PHOTO BY MICHAEL WILSON.

STEEP CANYON RANGERS NOVEMBER 13 • McGLOHON THEATRE

NATALIE MACMASTERCHRISTMAS IN CAPE BRETON

DECEMBER 17 • KNIGHT THEATER

RED CLAY RAMBLERSDECEMBER 10 • McGLOHON THEATRE

GTHIS

27-29 THE LONDON BROIL SHOWDUKE ENERGYTHEATRE

28 AN EVENINGWITH JEFF DANIELSMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

28 NBC’S LASTCOMIC STANDING LIVEGOODNIGHTS COMEDYKNIGHTTHEATER

29 LEANN RIMESCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

30 THRILLSAND CHILLSCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

31 BENISEKNIGHTTHEATER

November2-7 REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY:THE

COMPLETEWORLDOF SPORTS (ABRIDGED)BOOTH PLAYHOUSE

5 MIKE BIRBIGLIATHE COMEDY ZONEKNIGHTTHEATER

5 HOT RIZEMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

5-6 BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO. 7CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

6 NEW ORLEANS NIGHTSKNIGHTTHEATER

8 HARLANDWILLIAMSTHE COMEDY ZONEMcGLOHONTHEATRE

9-14 DREAMGIRLSBELK THEATER

11-13 INNOVATIVEWORKSNORTH CAROLINA DANCETHEATREKNIGHTTHEATER

13 STEEP CANYON RANGERSMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE

17-19 THE LONDON BROIL SHOWDUKE ENERGYTHEATRE


19-20 HAYDNCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAKNIGHTTHEATER

20 AN EVENINGWITH JOHNMcCUTCHEONMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE


21 THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC OFMANNHEIM STEAMROLLERBELK THEATER

26 - DEC. 5 HOMEON Q PRODUCTIONSDUKE ENERGYTHEATRE

26-27 PROKOFIEVCHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

28 CELTICTHUNDERBELK THEATER

29 HANDEL’S MESSIAH ROCKSBELK THEATER

30 - DEC. 5 MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN,MY FATHER’SJEWISH& I’MHOME FORTHEHOLIDAYSBOOTH PLAYHOUSE

December3-5 THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRABELK THEATER

4 JON REEPTHE COMEDY ZONEBELK THEATER

7-12 IRVING BERLIN’SWHITE CHRISTMASOVENS AUDITORIUM

8-19 LIVE FROMTHEWVL RADIOTHEATRE:IT’SAWONDERFUL LIFENORTH CAROLINA STAGE COMPANYBOOTH PLAYHOUSE

10-19 NUTCRACKERNORTH CAROLINA DANCETHEATERBELK THEATER

10 RED CLAY RAMBLERSMAXXMUSICMcGLOHONTHEATRE


17 NATALIE MACMASTERKNIGHTTHEATER


PLEASEVISITBLUMENTHALCENTER.ORG FOR

THE LATEST DETAILS ONALL SHOWS.

Ticket-buyers who call the Center may recognize KevinGrooms’ voice since he’s a comforting presence as they make apurchase or get more information on a show. This summer,The Charlotte Observer published a story about Kevin’s generousspirit.

For nine years through the nonprofit ChildrenInternational, Kevin has supported Gerardo, a boy inHonduras, with monthly checks and holiday gifts. Throughthank you notes and letters, the pair developed a friendship.The bond deepened in January when Kevin traveled toHonduras to meet Gerardo and his family.

Kevin decided to help even more by raising $6,000 tobuild a house for the family. After making that commitment,he found out that he also needed to buy the land. Thefundraising goal increased to just over $10,000. To read the fullstory, visit blumenthalcenter.org/kevingrooms. In late August,Kevin gave us an update on the fundraising and Gerardo:What has happened since the Observer story published on July 25?

With the support and the encouragement of Mr. (Tom)Gabbard (the Center’s president), we have gone over thefundraising goal for the land and the house. When former NCFirst Lady Mrs. Dottie Martin made her contribution in lateJuly, that put us over the limit, and money is still trickling in!

Your story is inspiring because it shows that you don’t have tobe a millionaire to make a difference. What advice do you havefor people who want to get more involved?Follow your passion and go with what brings you joy! I’ve hadfolks call in to buy tickets who saw the story, and they’ve saidthe kindest things to me, like “What a beautiful way to live alife.” It has blown me away. I also recently got a letter ofcongratulations from the chair of our Board of Trustees, Mr.Walter Fisher.

Where do things stand with buying the land and building thehouse?I am waiting on pins and needles for a call to tell me when theland is purchased. They are buying in a safer area out in theirpart of the countryside. Their new home will have twobedrooms, a full bath, a living area to the side of the smallkitchen and good connections to electricity, sewage anddrinkable water.

What’s going on with Gerardo and his family?Until the land is purchased, they still do not know about this.I’m told they are curious as to the questions they’re gettingabout their home and living situation. Gerardo is in school, ofcourse, at Instituto Tecnologico Sampedrano where he madethe soccer team and is taking a full load of courses. He is alsohelping with art work for different projects on campus.

What have you learned through this experience?Everyone can make a difference, no matter how small thesituation may seem. I’ve also learned to never underestimate thepower of one.

Are you still accepting donations?People can definitely still give! I’d like enough overage to buy asmall gas range, a refrigerator and a sofa! Any overage abovethat would go towards his school expenses for next year. Visitfirstgiving.com/gerardoshouse for more information.

CENTER EMPLOYEE’S GENEROSITYMAKES HEADLINESMonthly Giving Leads To A Journey That Leads To Building A HouseBy Crystal Dempsey

20


MEMBERSHIPnewsExperience the arts at a whole new level! Become a Member at www.BlumenthalCenter.org/Supportand receive unique membership benefits available at any giving level. Membership highlights are below. 21


DIRECTOR’S COUNCILMr. and Mrs. William B. McGuire, Jr.Scot and Diane Powell

PRESIDENT’S COUNCILMargaret AdamczykJim and Cathy BailyMrs. Nancy B. Thomas andMr. William M. BarnhardtArthur D. Becker, Christine K. Becker,Kimberly K. BeckerThe Blumenthal Foundation -Amy and Philip BlumenthalBetsy and Alfred BrandMr. and Mrs. C. C. CameronMr. William K. Diehl, Jr.Walter and Michele FisherDorlisa and Peter FlurTom and Vickie GabbardBeverly and Jim HanceChuck and Diane HarringtonMr. and Mrs. David L. HauserSally Hawk and Tommi LeviJeanne and Rick PuckettEdgar and Karen Whitener

BENEFACTORMr. Howard C. BissellMr. and Mrs. Douglas BoltonJ. Michael Booe and Rebecca S. HendersonLaura and Sam BowlesDaniel and Marilyn DiMiccoCharlie ElbersonScott FullerLisa and John W. GallowayDavid and Barbara GoodmanCarol and Shelton GorelickHarry and Gail GrimBelinda and Timothy GunterMandy and Todd HouserThomas and Nora Hughes

Sunny and Wen HutchinsonDavid and Susan JamisonAmy Levine and Alfred DawsonHoward and Julie LevineKarmen and Russell MartinChris and Caroline McDowellThomas C. Nelson and Anna Spangler NelsonWendy and Frank RosenJane and Nelson SchwabThad and Bobbie SharrettMr. and Mrs. Donald J. SherrillMr. and Mrs. R. Glenn Sherrill, Jr.Jacqueline SnipesPam and Andy WarlickMr. and Mrs. E.I. Weisiger, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. WhiteCaroline and Lawrence A. Wilson

GRAND PATRONBill and Valerie AlexanderElizabeth AustinMr. and Mrs. John M. BarryDr. and Mrs. Edward S. BaumMike and Renee BaumbachRalph and Linda BeckMark and Louise BernsteinMr. and Mrs. Roy BivensMr. and Mrs. Alan BlumenthalCrandall and Erskine BowlesPeter and Cynthia BuckBret BurquestTony and Diane ByersNan and Hal ClarkeSteve and Elaine CoatsRoger CuddyAdelaide and Ned DavisMr. James W. DonahuePepper and Roddey DowdMr. and Mrs. James F. DownsMarica and Bob DynkoJane E. Faison

Beth and Jonathan FeitJoyce Staley FordPeggy and Heriberto GarciaJohn R. GeorgiusIn Memory of Judy GerhartAnne and George GoodyearBill and Patty GorelickMrs. Charles GraceRebecca and Carl GuidiceSharon and Benjamin HagerPamela G. Hanna, M.D.Mr. Ned HardisonBlaine and Robin HawkinsMr. and Mrs. Mark HawleyEleanor and Parks HelmsTim and Carolyn HiltonDr. and Mrs. Alex HorchakJim and Peggy HynesLynn JeffreyMr. and Mrs. Graeme M. KeithGinger KempVirginia A. KernMary Jean and Howard L. KushnerJanice S. LadleyRoss and Nance LevinThe Leon Levine Foundation-Sandra and Leon LevineMr. and Mrs. Kurt E. Lindquist, IILori MatthewsAshley and Scott MatteiGary and Jill MaxwellJane and Hugh McCollT. Bragg McLeodMr. and Mrs. W. Edwin McMahanElsa and Joseph McNamaraJohn and Donna MitchellMarie MitchellEd and Jill NewmanJanet and Peter NixonDonald O’Shields

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Prince IIIJim PutnamThe Raftelis FoundationNancy and David RankinSally and Russell RobinsonRobert and Lisa RollinsWilliam R. RollinsCarla and Ed RoseBill and Brenda RyanMr. and Mrs. Jason C. SchmidlyDale and Mary SedivecDr. and Mrs. Robert SeymourMr. and Mrs. Charles M. Shelton, Sr.Peggy and Pope ShufordJim ShupeThe Marc and Mattye Silverman FoundationTom and Sherry SkainsMr. and Mrs. Wayne B. Smith, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Marsh SpencerWalter and Ingrid SteeleDia and Paul SteigerMs. Donita StewartJohn and Mary SumnerMr. and Mrs. Jack H. ThomasDavid ThomasonEllen and Ron VilasGreg and Sandy VlahosLin and DP WashburnMary Ellen and Reid WilkersonRichard T. “Stick” WilliamsRip and Cathey WinfieldSteve WorthyGillian Albinski and Douglas YoungStephen C. Young

*Contributions received July 20, 2009,to March 31, 2010.

PRODUCER’S CIRCLE members

Center Members can now secure tickets to any of theeight shows in the Duke Energy Broadway Lights Series or sixBroadway Extras. As the demand for tickets is expected to behigh, become a Member today by calling 704-372-1000 andyou’ll be sure to see your favorite shows!

Producer’s Circle Members ($1,000 or more) have theirpick of premium seats by utilizing their private MemberServices Concierge Service. Along with select cast parties, theywill also be invited to attend Dinner with the Cast events forDREAMGIRLS, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, IN THEHEIGHTS and SHREK THE MUSICAL. Join today bycalling our Individual Gifts Coordinator at 704-348-5823.

The Blumenthal also hosts events for Members beginningat the $100 level. From family-focused activities to pre-showcocktail receptions, these events attract passionate theater fansand give you the chance to meet people who share yourinterest in the arts!

Our Restaurant Partners continue to be generous withour patrons with special family-friendly and date night menus(and pricing)! As a bonus, many Restaurant Partners offercomplimentary and/or valet parking for dinner and the show.

Center Members enjoy the Wicked cast party following a performance in May.

CORPORATEThe Center recognizes the following major donors, corporate partners and individuals for their generous support.

OFFICIAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERCAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER

The Center is pleased to welcome Carolinas Medical Center asthe Official Healthcare Provider of the Blumenthal Performing ArtsCenter. “The sponsorship provides essential financial support forthe Center’s arts and education programs that impact thousands ofstudents and families each year,” said Center President TomGabbard. “It also gives touring artists and show personnel readyaccess to quality medical services should that need arise.”

“We are pleased to sponsor and provide our healthcareservices to the Center,“ said Michael C. Tarwater, Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Carolinas HealthCare System. “The partnership is avalued opportunity to give back to the community while ensuringhigh quality care for the artists and staff.”

Carolinas HealthCare System www.carolinashealthcare.org,one of the leading healthcare systems in the Southeast, includes 32affiliated hospitals in North and South Carolina, along with nursinghomes, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agenciesand other facilities. Altogether, CHS operations comprise morethan 6,300 licensed beds and employ more than 48,000 people.

DUKE ENERGY DONATES BOOTH ENDOWMENT GIFTDuke Energy recently provided the Center with a

leadership gift in honor of Doug Booth, a past director at thecorporation, toward the Booth Playhouse Endowment.

In receiving the gift, Tom Gabbard stated, "Thissignificant corporate contribution will provide ongoingsupport for the theater already named in Mr. Booth’s honor,and tangibly honors his key leadership in the creation of thePerforming Arts Center. It is yet another way that DukeEnergy significantly supports our Center."

“Duke Energy is proud to honor Doug’s manycontributions to this community in this way,” said Richard T.“Stick” Williams, the company’s foundation president.

Mr. Booth served on the Duke Energy board from 1968until he retired in 1989. His love of music spans frombluegrass to opera, and he generously supports the arts invarious ways throughout the region.

MAJOR giftsSIGNATURE gifts

CHAIRMANpartners


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Preferred Caterer of theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center

LEADERSHIP gift

Preferred Dining Partner of theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center

Preferred Snack Food Provider of theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center

partners

2010/11 Broadway Lights Series Sponsor

Official Healthcare Provider of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Official Airline of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

DIRECTING PARTNERSCherry Bekaert & Holland, LLP

EXECUTIVE PARTNERSDaniel and Ana AcetiAlston & Bird, LLPCrosland, LLCGoodrich CorporationHubbell Consulting, LLCHunton & Williams, LLPInterCon Building CorporationMcGrann Paper CorporationMcGuireWoods, LLPMidrex Technologies, Inc.NUCORParker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLPShurtape Technologies, LLCSPX CorporationSteelFab, Inc.

MANAGING PARTNERSAllen Tate FoundationBB&TBelk, Inc.The Broadway League Family First NightC design Inc.Carolina TractorClariant CorporationDirect Source, Inc.Grant ThorntonHeard Ratzlaff ConstructionIndependent Grant of theJack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc.Internetwork Services Inc.KBRLincoln HarrisMechanical Contractors, Inc.Modular Designs

NASCAR Media GroupNorth Highland CompanyPCL Construction Services Inc.Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.RSM McGladrey IncorporatedShook KelleySpectrum PropertiesTargetToshibaUnited Mechanical CorporationW. B. Moore Company of Charlotte, Inc.

ASSOCIATE PARTNERSAcoustics IncorporatedAdams Electric CompanyAlfred Williams & Co.AREVA NP Inc.Ashley Furniture HomeStoreAster Group CorporationB&H Millwork and Fixtures Inc.BE&K Building Group Inc.B.E. Holbrooks Co., Inc.Blythe Development Co.Cabarrus Glass Co., Inc.Carocraft Cabinets, Inc.Carousel Capital CompanyCarroll Financial Associates, Inc.Charter Concrete Services, Inc.Chicago Title Insurance CompanyChoate Construction Co.C.M. Steel, Inc.Coca-Cola Bottling Co. ConsolidatedCochrane Steel, Inc.Collins and Wright Inc.Cox & Schepp Construction, Inc.Crowder Construction CompanyDesign Strategies LLCDixon Hughes PLLC

Doerre Construction Co., LLCEc,a Architecture, PCE.F. Belk & Son, Inc.Elm EngineeringErnst & Young LLPFamily Dollar StoreGalvan Industries, Inc.Garmon & Co., Inc. Commerical FlooringHarris Teeter, Inc.Hendrick Construction, Inc.Herlocker Mechanical Systems, Inc.High Performance Technologies, Inc.HITACHI Data SystemsHM PropertiesHood Hargett & AssociatesHoopaugh Grading Co., LLCIKON Office SystemsInformation Innovators, Inc.Interstate Electric Co. Inc.Ironworks ConsultingKDCKingGuinn Associates, P.A.Lantern Builders, Inc.LITTLEL.T. Mechanical, Inc.Madison Construction Group, Inc.Martin Marietta MaterialsMCC Mechanical, LLCMcCombs Steel Company, Inc.McCulloch England Associates ArchitectsMcNeary, Inc.MegaPath, Inc.Merrill LynchMonaghan Group PLLCMorrow Insurance Agency, Inc.MUZAK LLCMV Momentum ConstructionMyers & Chapman, Inc.

NASCAR FoundationNet Direct SystemsNorth American Lawn & Landscape, LLCOdell AssociatesQuality SprinklerR.E. Mason CompanyRed Moon MarketingReznick Group, P.C.Rogers Unloading ServiceSchindler Elevator Corp.Security Forces, Inc.Signature ConsultantsSilverado Group, Inc.The Southeastern Group Inc. -Paint, Drywall, TrimSouthern States Rebar ofNorth Carolina, Inc.SprintStaley Inc.Stewart Engineering, Inc.Sun Belt Office & Data Suppliers, Inc.Time Warner CableThe Title Company of North CarolinaToler, Bly & Associates, CPA, PLLCTropical Nut & Fruit Inc.Unique Express, Inc.Velligan Medical ServicesWalker Engineering, PAWarco Construction, Inc.Wells Fargo Insurance ServicesWhite Knight Engineered ProductsWillis

*Contributions received July 20, 2009,to March 31, 2010.


23

The Arts & Science Council supports the Center’s 2011 Fiscal Year budgetwith a Basic Operating Grant in the amount of $345,401.

The Center receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council,a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

CORPORATE partners continued

FOUNDATION gifts

THE DOCTOR FAMILY FOUNDATIONExpanding Horizons: The Broadway Experience! Program Sponsor

RESTAURANTpartners

Preferred Caterer of theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center

101W.WorthingtonAve. Suite 114Charlotte, NC 28203

704.333.9779bestimpressionscaterers.com

Preferred Dining Partner of theBlumenthal Performing Arts Center

222 S. Tryon St.Charlotte, NC 28202

704.338.9444ruthschris.com

435 S. Tryon St., Suite 180Charlotte, NC 28202

704.377.9911aquavina.com

Hearst TowerCorner of 5th & College St.Charlotte, NC 28202704.927.2583

bluerestaurantandbar.com

225 E. 6th St.Charlotte, NC 28202704.347.2749

www.brixxpizza.com

201 N. Tryon St.Charlotte, NC 28202704.348.1400

thecapitalgrille.com

139 S. Tryon St.Charlotte, NC 28202

704.601.4141chimasteakhouse.com

237 N. Tryon St.Charlotte, NC 28202704.332.4141dunhillhotel.com


rockbottomsouth.com


sonomarestaurants.net

400 S. Tryon St., Suite M-1Charlotte, NC 28285704.332.5521

uptowncateringco.com

onstageFall 2010

BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTERPO Box 37322Charlotte, NC 28237

Official Airline of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

O

ELTON JOHN’SNEW MUSICAL IS THE

“BESTMUSICAL

OF THE

DECADE!”-TIME MAGAZINE

10 TONY AWARDS INCLUDINGBEST MUSICAL!

© 2008 BILLY BROADWAY, LLC

JAN. 12-30 • OVENS AUDITORIUM704.372.1000 • BLUMENTHALCENTER.ORG

onstage fall 2010

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