"Driving Miss Daisy" opens this week at the Open Space Cafe Theatre (4609 W. Market Street).
For visual previews, visit the OSC Theatre's blog or this Fox 8 morning broadcast (which includes a short scene from the play).
If you haven't visited the Open Space Cafe Theatre before, I highly recommend that you check out one of our community's most recently added theatrical treasures. Before the shows and during intermissions, you can even purchase desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy while you watch the performance.
These are the dates for "Driving Miss Daisy": June 11 (TONIGHT!), 12, 13, 18, 19, & 20 at 8:00pm, with a June 14 matinee at 2:00pm.
Tickets are $10.00 each if you're under 17, $17.00 for seniors and college students, and $20.00 for everyone else. There's a student-rush price of $10.00 ten minutes before showtime (if seats are still available).
I always try to organize groups of 8 or more friends and family members so that we can each receive a $2.00 discount off our individual ticket prices. We often eat dinner down the road at Elizabeth's Pizza before visiting the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and right across from the theatre is another great dining option: Bert's Seafood Restaurant. 12 of us are already on-board to see "Driving Miss Daisy" this Saturday.
To order your tickets, just call the box office at 336-292-2285. If the voice mail answers, just leave your name, phone number, the date you want to attend, and how many tickets you desire. Artistic Director Joe Nierle or another staff member will call back to confirm your ticket order.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT WARNING: if you do plan to attend, be prepared for a wonderful experience and many positive memories. Your only regret will likely be that you missed all the shows that came before.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Remembering "Blood Brothers"
I made a horrible mistake on Saturday, October 11, 2008 when I went to see the musical "Blood Brothers" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre: that was the show's final performance. And that meant that I wouldn't have an opportunity to see it a second time. I enjoyed it so much that I would have seriously considered seeing it a second time, and I definitely would have tried to talk others into seeing it. I did get together a group of 12 others to see "Blood Brothers," and every one of us thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the show. We laughed out loud in parts, and by the end, I'm guessing that I was not the only one whose eyes became a little moister.
If you missed "Blood Brothers," you missed an incredible show. Two friends who saw it with me here in Greensboro had seen it in London two summers ago, and they both had liked it enough that they wanted to see it again. They also told me that an even tougher audience--the high school students with whom they were traveling--had also cited "Blood Brothers" as one of their favorite experiences while traveling overseas. Beyond telling a highly engaging story, Willy Russell's musical also confronts some of the issues of class and economics that have become even more timely here recently.
I'm definitely hoping that "Blood Brothers" will return to the area in the not-too-distant future.
In the meantime, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has a new-and-improved website for you to check out.
If you missed "Blood Brothers," you missed an incredible show. Two friends who saw it with me here in Greensboro had seen it in London two summers ago, and they both had liked it enough that they wanted to see it again. They also told me that an even tougher audience--the high school students with whom they were traveling--had also cited "Blood Brothers" as one of their favorite experiences while traveling overseas. Beyond telling a highly engaging story, Willy Russell's musical also confronts some of the issues of class and economics that have become even more timely here recently.
I'm definitely hoping that "Blood Brothers" will return to the area in the not-too-distant future.
In the meantime, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has a new-and-improved website for you to check out.
An Easy Early-Voting Maze at Bur-Mil Park
Earlier this evening, I decided to vote early. The only thing that took a long time was driving from High Point Central High School to Bur-Mil Park.
Arriving some time after 6:00 PM, I parked and walked toward the building that I believe is referred to as the clubhouse. As I got closer, I stopped to take a card from a man seated out front. It was a business card for Teresa Sue Bratton, MD, the only candidate represented by more than a sign stuck in the ground. (I didn't take time to count, but there were a lot of signs lining the path to the clubhouse.)
Catching up with the one lady in front of me, we both ventured to the right toward the front entrance, only to be greeted by a sign indicating that we needed to go around to the back. I voted at Bur-Mil once before, and if I remember correctly, I entered the front way the last time. While there were signs pointing to the left of the building, some signs seemed to be pointing toward the front entrance also, so for a brief moment, one lady and I were briefly confused. Once we figured out that we needed to follow the path to the left, we headed that way and walked around to the back. We bypassed the entrance that was set up for handicapped individuals. We then walked up the stairs and followed a mini-maze that was set up for us to follow. I'm guessing that there have been or will be times when the line meanders back to the back of that maze, but she and I just moved forward because there were no people in front of us.
Once we arrived at the large voting room, we were led to a long table behind which a few workers awaited to verify our voting status. I gave a gentleman my name and address, and then he gave me a form to sign. I then gave the form to a lady who escorted me to one of several voting machines. While I didn't have to wait in line, there were about 8-10 voting machines with individuals behind each one using the push-screen to cast their votes. I voted at the one nearest the door, so I lifted up the left side of the machine to keep my votes a secret from anyone entering while I voted. (Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one or two more people enter the voting room while I voted.) I skipped the straight-ticket option, and I voted for some Democrats, and I voted for some Republicans, but not in equal numbers. I chose not to vote for one candidate who didn't have any competition, but had there been another name on the ballot, I would have voted for his opponent. I didn't keep track of how long the entire process took, but I definitely didn't need to warm up my car by the time I returned to it. And I didn't have time to read a single word of the newspaper I carried inside in case I did have to wait in line.
Now, I just have to wait two weeks to find out if my picks win. I only voted for the best candidates, so I sure hope they win.
Arriving some time after 6:00 PM, I parked and walked toward the building that I believe is referred to as the clubhouse. As I got closer, I stopped to take a card from a man seated out front. It was a business card for Teresa Sue Bratton, MD, the only candidate represented by more than a sign stuck in the ground. (I didn't take time to count, but there were a lot of signs lining the path to the clubhouse.)
Catching up with the one lady in front of me, we both ventured to the right toward the front entrance, only to be greeted by a sign indicating that we needed to go around to the back. I voted at Bur-Mil once before, and if I remember correctly, I entered the front way the last time. While there were signs pointing to the left of the building, some signs seemed to be pointing toward the front entrance also, so for a brief moment, one lady and I were briefly confused. Once we figured out that we needed to follow the path to the left, we headed that way and walked around to the back. We bypassed the entrance that was set up for handicapped individuals. We then walked up the stairs and followed a mini-maze that was set up for us to follow. I'm guessing that there have been or will be times when the line meanders back to the back of that maze, but she and I just moved forward because there were no people in front of us.
Once we arrived at the large voting room, we were led to a long table behind which a few workers awaited to verify our voting status. I gave a gentleman my name and address, and then he gave me a form to sign. I then gave the form to a lady who escorted me to one of several voting machines. While I didn't have to wait in line, there were about 8-10 voting machines with individuals behind each one using the push-screen to cast their votes. I voted at the one nearest the door, so I lifted up the left side of the machine to keep my votes a secret from anyone entering while I voted. (Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one or two more people enter the voting room while I voted.) I skipped the straight-ticket option, and I voted for some Democrats, and I voted for some Republicans, but not in equal numbers. I chose not to vote for one candidate who didn't have any competition, but had there been another name on the ballot, I would have voted for his opponent. I didn't keep track of how long the entire process took, but I definitely didn't need to warm up my car by the time I returned to it. And I didn't have time to read a single word of the newspaper I carried inside in case I did have to wait in line.
Now, I just have to wait two weeks to find out if my picks win. I only voted for the best candidates, so I sure hope they win.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Just For You, A Wonderful Opportunity Extended
If you didn't get around to seeing the Open Space Cafe Theatre's production of "Crowns," two shows have been added for August 23 and 24. Call 336-292-2285 for more information and to purchase tickets.
When you visit the theatre's website, a slideshow provides a glimpse of scenes from this highly entertaining musical. In addition to great music and all-around impressive performances, you'll also learn about the diverse culture of hat-wearing among some African-American women. Bennett College and the Greensboro Sit-Ins are a part of the historical snapshots revealed.
More here and here.
When you visit the theatre's website, a slideshow provides a glimpse of scenes from this highly entertaining musical. In addition to great music and all-around impressive performances, you'll also learn about the diverse culture of hat-wearing among some African-American women. Bennett College and the Greensboro Sit-Ins are a part of the historical snapshots revealed.
More here and here.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Will Strom Thurmond Speak Out About John Edwards's Confession?
On 101.1 WZTK, I've had the pleasure of hearing Strom Thurmond come on the show and pass along some of his wholesome, conservative values.
I'm hoping Thurmond, a true conservative who has always stood up for family values, will be able to visit "Brad and Britt Show in the Morning" and provide much-needed commentary about that lousy, stinky Democrat John Edwards and his finally-confessed lack of marital faithfulness.
I'd be most curious to hear Thurmond's comments about the two quotes I found most fascinating from John Edwards's statement:
"But being 99 percent honest is no longer enough." (I just wondered if his calculation of 99% might be just a tiny-bit high in this particular instance. Edwards might need to tweak his calculating methods a little.)
"In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic." (I'd love to hear from Senator Thurmond if he ever found himself guilty of feeling that way about himself. I doubt it because I certainly don't like to think anything negative about the Good Senator, but I'd appreciate hearing from the man himself.)
I'm hoping Thurmond, a true conservative who has always stood up for family values, will be able to visit "Brad and Britt Show in the Morning" and provide much-needed commentary about that lousy, stinky Democrat John Edwards and his finally-confessed lack of marital faithfulness.
I'd be most curious to hear Thurmond's comments about the two quotes I found most fascinating from John Edwards's statement:
"But being 99 percent honest is no longer enough." (I just wondered if his calculation of 99% might be just a tiny-bit high in this particular instance. Edwards might need to tweak his calculating methods a little.)
"In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic." (I'd love to hear from Senator Thurmond if he ever found himself guilty of feeling that way about himself. I doubt it because I certainly don't like to think anything negative about the Good Senator, but I'd appreciate hearing from the man himself.)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Aggies Strut Their "Crowns" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre
If you enjoy theatre and music, you should definitely make plans to attend Regina Taylor's "Crowns" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre. Beyond the pleasures of listening to beautiful music and witnessing great performances, seeing this musical is an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the popular custom among some African-American women of wearing hats, particularly to church.
Tall, thin, and tough, Yolanda (Whitney Chamblee, a rising senior at the Weaver Performing Arts Academy) walks and talks with an attitude, and she opens the show by explaining why: her brother Teddy was shot and killed, and she's been forced to move from her beloved Brooklyn, NY to the South and live with her grandmother, Mother Shaw
Mother Shaw (Sandra Jones) and four other African-American women take turns trying to convey to Yolanda why their hats are such an important part of their identities, hoping that she'll develop the same respect and appreciation for their hat-wearing traditions. While they share a love for hats, these five women each have different lessons and experiences to share, and their diverse personalities are reflected in the different colors and styles of their hats. After these women are first introduced under dim lights wearing only slips, background screens are turned to reveal individual closets in which we get to see the vividly colored outfits they will change into. As we listen to them tell their background stories one by one, we watch the others change into their full attire. Mother Shaw ends up wearing white; Mabel (Jamilla Curry) red; Velma (Tennille Foust) purple; Wanda (Melanie Matthews) orange; and Jeanette (Randi Martin) blue. All five of these actresses are graduates of N.C. A & T State University, and their performances only take Aggie Pride to even higher levels.
Tall, thin, and tough, Yolanda (Whitney Chamblee, a rising senior at the Weaver Performing Arts Academy) walks and talks with an attitude, and she opens the show by explaining why: her brother Teddy was shot and killed, and she's been forced to move from her beloved Brooklyn, NY to the South and live with her grandmother, Mother Shaw
Mother Shaw (Sandra Jones) and four other African-American women take turns trying to convey to Yolanda why their hats are such an important part of their identities, hoping that she'll develop the same respect and appreciation for their hat-wearing traditions. While they share a love for hats, these five women each have different lessons and experiences to share, and their diverse personalities are reflected in the different colors and styles of their hats. After these women are first introduced under dim lights wearing only slips, background screens are turned to reveal individual closets in which we get to see the vividly colored outfits they will change into. As we listen to them tell their background stories one by one, we watch the others change into their full attire. Mother Shaw ends up wearing white; Mabel (Jamilla Curry) red; Velma (Tennille Foust) purple; Wanda (Melanie Matthews) orange; and Jeanette (Randi Martin) blue. All five of these actresses are graduates of N.C. A & T State University, and their performances only take Aggie Pride to even higher levels.
Yolanda listens as these women tell their stories, but she is not always excited about or interested in what they have to say. There is a generational gap, and it takes time for her to gain the appreciation and enthusiasm they have for hats. A baseball cap turned sideways works for her throughout much of the play, and it is only with time that she embraces a hat that her elders might regard as more fitting and dignified.
These women have a full arsenal of approaches for sharing their love for hats: they tell stories, they pass along sayings (hatisms), they teach lessons, they sing, they dance, they provide both serious and humorous reenactments, and above all else, they model the hats they cherish. As if in a pageant, there is a competitive spirit among the women, but while there is a sense of wanting to wear and show off the best hat, there's also a respect and appreciation for seeing other women wear the beautiful hats they choose to wear. It wouldn't be as beautiful a world for any of these women ever to find herself alone as a hat-wearer.
While "Crowns" celebrates women, it does not ignore the role that men can play in women's hat-wearing customs. Joseph Level, a widely acclaimed radio personality with 1510 Big WEAL Gospel, plays the all-purpose Man for this show, and he adds a wonderful voice, diverse personalities, and his own collection of hats. (You can see him become a different character just by changing of hats.)
Director Donna Baldwin-Bradby, an Adjunct Professor and Director of Marketing and Publicity for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at North Carolina A & T State University, follows up her wonderful job directing Triad Stage's "From the Mississippi Delta" in the spring.
Darrell J. Hunt, a senior professional theatre major at North Carolina A & T State University, serves as the Stage Manager.
Stephanie D. Gray, a member of the Theatre Faculty at North Carolina A & T State University, serves as the Musical Director and Keyboardist. In her bio on the program, she expresses appreciation for "working with her favorite collaborator, Donna Bradby."
While I've tried to use words to capture some of the essence of "Crowns," none of what I've written comes close to capturing the actual experience of viewing this musical in person. You need to see it for yourself. There was a good crowd for the opening show, but there was room for more to attend. It's a show that deserves an audience, and if you're around and have the time, you really should make plans to attend.
Here's information about the seven remaining shows, how you can get tickets, and where the Open Space Cafe Theatre is located:
- Friday, August 8 at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, August 9 at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 10 at 2:00 PM
- Thursday, August 14 at 8:00 PM
- Friday, August 15 at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, August 16 at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 PM
Call 336-292-2285 for tickets. If the answering machine answers, just leave a) your name, b)phone number, c) the number of tickets you need, and d) the date you wish to attend.
Tickets are $20.00 per person; $17.00 each for senior citizens; $10.00 for students 17 years old and younger. If you have a party of 8 or more, you will receive a $2.00 discount per ticket.
The Open Space Cafe Theatre is located at 4609 W. Market Street in Greensboro. It's a small, intimate theatre, located across from Bert's Seafood Grille and next door to a Public Storage facility. Directions can be found here.
The show is approximately 1 1/2 hours, and there is no intermission. Drinks and desserts may be purchased before the show begins, and you sit at tables at which you can enjoy your refreshments during the performance.
Be sure to spread the word about this show.
And I hope you'll enjoy "Crowns" as much as I did.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
8 Chances for You to See "Crowns"
Inspired by a book about the hats that some African-American women are famous for wearing, the musical "Crowns" opens at the Open Space Cafe Theatre on Thursday, August 7, 2008 and runs through Sunday, August 17, 2008.
Beloved by readers, "Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats" (by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry) moved playwright Regina Taylor enough to create a gospel-style tribute to these women and their hats.
The synopsis from the OSC Theatre website: "A musical tribute to the fabulous church hats and the African-American women for whom they are symbolic crowns, a means to express themselves in the presence of God. The story of a Brooklyn girl, staying with her grandmother in the South following a tragedy, is a springboard for an exploration of black cultural history and identity."
Receiving positive reviews in Orlando, New York, and San Francisco, "Crowns" will be directed locally by Donna Baldwin-Bradby, a North Carolina A&T State University adjunct professor and the recent director of Triad Stage's "From the Mississippi Delta."
If you haven't seen a show at the Open Space Cafe Theatre yet, this would be a great chance to see your first performance there. It's a small, intimate theatre, and since I first discovered the OSC Theatre a year ago, I've thoroughly enjoyed every production they've done. (The only show I've missed was "Godspell," and that's because it sold out before I was able to get tickets for the night I could have attended.) Knowing what an amazing job Baldwin-Bradby did with "From the Mississippi Delta," I'm looking even more forward to seeing "Crowns."
Here is all the information you should need to get your tickets and attend, and be sure to spread the word among your friends and family members:
Beloved by readers, "Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats" (by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry) moved playwright Regina Taylor enough to create a gospel-style tribute to these women and their hats.
The synopsis from the OSC Theatre website: "A musical tribute to the fabulous church hats and the African-American women for whom they are symbolic crowns, a means to express themselves in the presence of God. The story of a Brooklyn girl, staying with her grandmother in the South following a tragedy, is a springboard for an exploration of black cultural history and identity."
Receiving positive reviews in Orlando, New York, and San Francisco, "Crowns" will be directed locally by Donna Baldwin-Bradby, a North Carolina A&T State University adjunct professor and the recent director of Triad Stage's "From the Mississippi Delta."
If you haven't seen a show at the Open Space Cafe Theatre yet, this would be a great chance to see your first performance there. It's a small, intimate theatre, and since I first discovered the OSC Theatre a year ago, I've thoroughly enjoyed every production they've done. (The only show I've missed was "Godspell," and that's because it sold out before I was able to get tickets for the night I could have attended.) Knowing what an amazing job Baldwin-Bradby did with "From the Mississippi Delta," I'm looking even more forward to seeing "Crowns."
Here is all the information you should need to get your tickets and attend, and be sure to spread the word among your friends and family members:
- The Open Space Cafe Theatre is located at 4609 West Market Street/ Greensboro, NC 27407 (across from Bert's Seafood Grille; directions here).
- Call 336-292-2285 for tickets.
- $20.00 per ticket; $17.00 for seniors; $10.00 for students, 17 years and younger. (Groups of 8 or more receive a $2.00 discount.)
- Desserts, coffee, sodas, and wine may be purchased before the show and enjoyed at the tables that are a part of the theatre's cafe-style seating.
These are your 8 chances to see "Crowns":
- Thursday, August 7 at 8:00 PM
- Friday, August 8 at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, August 9 at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 10 at 2:00 PM
- Thursday, August 14 at 8:00 PM
- Friday, August 15 at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, August 16 at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 PM
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