Something Ruthless This Way Comes!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If you need something fresh and exciting in your life, a great opportunity awaits you, right now, right here, and in our own backyard.

"Ruthless! The Musical!" opens Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the Open Space Cafe Theatre and will run for two weeks, Thursday-Sunday both weeks.

The Open Space Cafe Theatre is located at 4609-A West Market Street in Greensboro, across from Bert's Seafood Grille.

Tickets are $20.00 each. Seniors only pay $17.00 per ticket. If you organize a group of 8 or more (the more, the merrier!), each individual receives a $2.00 discount on his/her ticket.

To reserve your tickets today, call 336-292-2285. If you reach voice mail, just leave your name, phone number, the number of tickets you need, and the date you want to attend. Someone will return your call to confirm and process your order, and then you'll have set yourself up for a fantastic night (or Sunday afternoon) of entertainment.

The specific dates of the shows are:

• Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 8:00 PM
• Friday, September 25, 2009 at 8:00 PM
• Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 8:00 PM
• Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 2:00 PM
• Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 8:00 PM
• Friday, October 2, 2009 at 8:00 PM
• Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM
• Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 2:00 PM

Here's a description of "Ruthless!": "The young Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking, and she will do anything to win the part in the school musical. Anything includes murdering the leading lady! A cynical and slightly evil romp, loaded with parodies of The Bad Seed, Gypsy, All About Eve and a host of other shows."

I have never seen "Ruthless," but I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've ever seen at the Open Space Cafe Theatre and fully expect to be treated to another amazing performance when I attend this show. Unless you're just one of those people who don't enjoy plays and musicals, I'll go out on a limb and say that I strongly believe that, if you attend a show there, you will have an amazing time at the Open Space Cafe Theatre and you will not leave disappointed. I never have, and I sincerely hope that when you attend your first show there ("Ruthless!" maybe), you will have as great a time as I always do.

Almost forgot to mention another important detail about the Open Space Cafe Theatre: save some room for dessert before you attend a show there. You can purchase a range of tasty desserts and drinks before the show and during intermission, and as an added bonus, you can actually take these into the theatre to enjoy while you're watching the show. In other words, at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, it's OK to "play with your food"!

May your entire Open Space Cafe Theatre experience be as fun and wonderful for you as it always is for me!

Mom's 66th Birthday Celebrated at (and by) the OSC Theatre--(Thank You, OSCT!)

I've been looking forward to seeing "Dinah Was!" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre ever since I saw "Rounding Third" there. Mom's birthday is August 29th, and since that was one of the dates for "Dinah Was!," it worked out perfectly as something to do on Mom's birthday.

Before the play, we ate at Bert's Seafood Grille, immediately across the street from the Open Space Cafe Theatre.

I had picked up a cake at Ganache, and Bert's kept it refrigerated for me while we ate dinner. Earlier, I had secured permission from the OSC Theatre management to bring a cake for our party. The theatre sells cake slices and other desserts, but I wanted to ensure that there was enough for our party without "stealing" desserts that other play-goers might want.

We waited until intermission to cut into our cake. It was delicious!

But the real treat came right before the show continued. "Dinah Was!" Director Robin T. Rich McGhie took the stage to select a couple winners for some free tickets to the next show, "Ruthless! The Musical" (September 24-October 3).

But Robin also announced Mom's birthday and then initiated a full-house singing of "Happy Birthday" to my mom. The small band even played. It was one of those special touches that only added to an already perfect evening.

The show itself was a true crowd-pleaser. Along with the drama, listening to LaShon R. Hill sing Dinah Washington's music made you feel like you were enjoying a live concert. Hill captured the power of Dinah Washington's personality while also making us aware of her struggles with alcohol and pills. (I couldn't help but think of Michael Jackson; August 29th would have been Michael's 51st birthday.)

The supporting cast did a very good job also. Toward the end, Ronell Kiensler grabbed the audience's hearts and imagination with her scene-stealing portrayal of Violet, a hotel cook who receives an unexpected invitation from Dinah Washington to join her on stage. Given the chance to take the stage, Violet rises to the occasion, eventually becoming an even more enthusiastic performer than Dinah was at this point in her career.

Dinah Washington died at the age of 39. But she ended up having a stamp with her image on her, allowing us the chance to lick the back of her head, as someone put it.

The August 29th show was a sell-out, as were several others for "Dinah Was!"

Your next chance to visit the Open Space Cafe Theatre is when "Ruthless! The Musical" opens September 24th; it runs through October 3rd. Apparently, Britney Spears and Natalie Portman were understudies for the central role of Tina.

Based on all of my experiences at the Open Space Cafe Theatre over the last couple years, I can only strongly suggest that you consider attending a show there. As I've said before, I think it's very possible that you'll fall in love, just as I have.

Thank you, again, Open Space Cafe Theatre, for yet another special night on my Mom's 66th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mom! You deserve it!

Two Local Blogging Theatres Provide Provocative, Highly Entertaining Shows for Our Community

The Open Space Cafe Theatre is blogging about its current show.

Triad Stage is blogging about its preparations for its season-opening production.

You might still be able to get tickets to the final two shows of "Dinah Was!" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre this weekend (7:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2009 and 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2009). [Box office: 336-292-2285]

Triad Stage's "Picnic" opens with its preview performances on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM. The show runs through September 27th, with performances every day of the week except Monday. [Box office: 336-272-0160]

I highly recommend both theatres, particularly for everyone who has never experienced these theatres' fantastic shows. You really can't imagine what great local and professional talent you're missing out on, but once you see either theatre's shows, you'll know.

If You Don't Have Plans This Weekend, You Might Not Be Too Late . .

If you're looking for some great entertainment this weekend, you should seriously consider trying to get tickets to "Dinah Was!" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre.

The OSC Theatre's most recent blog post indicates that there may still be some tickets left for the 7:00 PM performance on Saturday, August 29, 2009, and the 3:00 PM show on Sunday, August 30, 2009. (You may be too late, but for your sake, I hope you're not.)

To find out if you can still get tickets, call 336-292-2285. If voice mail picks up, just leave your name, phone number, how many tickets you want, and which show you'd like to attend. Someone will return your call. You can also drop by the box office about an hour before the show to see if tickets are still available.

The Open Space Cafe Theatre is small, intimate, and very unintimidating. It's the kind of theatre where anyone should feel comfortable. (It's not the only theatre in our community about which this is true; Triad Stage, the Broach, and other local theatres also make you feel right at home.)

Before the show and during intermission, you can purchase drinks and desserts to take back to small tables. And if you have a larger group, the OSC Theatre staff and volunteers put smaller tables together so that members of your group can sit together.

I've enjoyed every performance I've seen at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and I've absolutely loved some of the productions.

People who pay a lot more to see shows in other venues should seriously consider giving the Open Space Cafe Theatre a chance. ($20.00 per ticket; $17.00 for senior citizens; $2.00 off each ticket if you have a party of 8 or more.) By attending the Open Space Cafe Theatre, you risk falling in love like I have, and if that happens, you won't want to miss another show.

Emmett Till's Murder a Part of Our Unimaginably Horrible, Shameful Past

In last week's Go Triad, Joe Scott helped me make a decision about what play to see at the National Black Theatre Festival. Written and performed by Mike Wiley, "Dar He: The Story of Emmett Till" turned out to be a very solid choice.

I knew the very basic details about what happened to Emmett Till: at the age of 14, while visiting relatives in Mississippi, this African-American boy from Chicago allegedly whistled at a white woman and was later brutally murdered. His mother decided to leave his casket open so that others would have an opportunity to see the handiwork of white Southern men.

For about an hour-and-a-half, Mike Wiley went seamlessly back and forth among several different characters, including Till, his mother, the white woman he supposedly whistled at, and the two white men who later confessed to murdering Till after being acquitted in court. (I lost track of exactly how many characters Wiley ultimately played; one suggestion for future programs would be to list all of the characters and include a brief biographical description of each. That would be useful for audience members, many of whom, like me, probably learned far more than just the basic details we might have known before seeing the play.) Wiley is a mesmerizing performer. When he's in front of you, you can't take your eyes off of him; you want to follow his every word, his every movement, his every expression, and you marvel at how he so thoroughly becomes each of the characters he plays.

Seeing the play reminded me of something that I've long known but which becomes easier and easier to put in the back of one's mind: while America is a great and sometimes absolutely amazing country, there are pieces of our country's history for which we should all be deeply ashamed. Emmett Till's murder is one of those pieces. Audience members last night spent more time watching the play than the 12 white men on the jury spent deliberating before delivering a "not guilty" verdict for the two men tried for Till's murder.

It's been 50 years since Till was murdered. If he was still alive, he'd be between the ages of my father and mother, both in their sixties. While 50 years is a long time ago, it is still within the memory of a signficant portion of the population. Till's 1955 murder (one day before my mother turned 12 and Michael Jackson turned 3) occurred at a time when many white people didn't see anything wrong with how black people were treated in our country, even when such treatment went as far as murder. Such attitudes were still commonplace even more recently than 50 years ago.

I prefer an emphasis on how far we've come, but it's a mistake not to acknowledge how horrible the not-so-distant past was. "Dar He" makes you realize how far we've come, but it also reminds us of how far we had to come to get to where we now are.

"Dar He" is part of a two-part performance at the National Black Theatre Festival. Nora Cole opens the show with "Voices of the Sprits in My Soul." About an hour later, Mike Wiley performs "Dar He." This two-part show is being performed right now at the Ring Theatre on Wake Forest University's campus (3:00 PM start time), and it will play one more time at 8:00 PM this evening at the same theatre. Tickets are $37.00 each. You may call 723-7907 or try to secure tickets at the door. (Last night, tickets were still available at the door.)

To view excerpts from Mike Wiley's performance of "Dar He," visit here. (Past reviews of "Dar He.") Details about some of his other productions that Wiley brings to life can be found here.

"Just Because He Hit a Woman . . . "

This review of "Mad at Miles" (highly recommended) provides more background information than I provided earlier, and it also connects some of the recent domestic-abuse dots from recent and past headlines.

As the as-far-as-I-can-tell unidentified review writer puts it, "I mean come on. Just because he hit a woman, you can’t stay mad at Miles, right?"

Whether you have trouble answering that question or not, I highly recommend that you consider attending "Mad at Miles" in Winston-Salem on Thursday, August 6, 2009, either at 3:00 PM or 8:00 PM. Look back here for more details (scroll toward the bottom).

"Mad at Miles" Recommended For Men and Women of All Races

I've read about the National Black Theatre Festival for years, but I only attended for the first time two years ago. I had an ulterior motive: to preview a play that I knew that Triad Stage planned to offer the following February and see if it might be appropriate to take my eighth-grade students to see. As it turned out, "From the Mississippi Delta" included content that definitely would NOT have been appropriate for middle-school students, but I appreciated the play enough to check it out again when it did appear on Triad Stage.

I've seen two of the plays that are being performed next week in Winson-Salem: "Mad at Miles: A Black Woman's Guide to the Truth" and "Extremities."

I've never seen "Extremities" on stage; I've only seen the movie version that starred Farrah Fawcett and Alfre Woodard. As I remember, the movie dealt powerfully with painful, provocative issues surrounding rape. On stage, this story might be even more intensely felt by audience members who will witness the action and the characters' interactions live. Attending the play might remind some viewers of the strong performance delivered by Fawcett in the main role. (I believe that Wendy Raquel Robinson, who played Principal Regina "Piggy" Grier on "The Steve Harvey Show," will be playing the part that Fawcett played.)

"Extremities" will probably be worth attending, but if you want a recommendation, plan to see "Mad at Miles." As far as I know, you can't rent "Mad at Miles," and even if you could, I'm not sure that anything less than a live performance could do its content justice.

"Mad at Miles" was peformed on Triad Stage earlier this year in its Cabaret theatre, and while it was an in-your-face performance about how too many men (including Miles Davis) mistreat women, it wasn't a one-note (unforgivingly angry) performance. You wouldn't expect to laugh or feel inspired by such a horrible topic, but as put together by Pearl Cleage and as performed by its three female stars, "Mad at Miles" brought to the surface just about any and every emotion you could imagine, making you feel hopeful at the same time that you felt the intense anger pouring out of its protagonists.

I'm not sure if the same three actresses will be performing "Mad at Miles" in Winston-Salem at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009. If it's the same three performers, be prepared to witness an amazing production, and if any or all of the actresses are different than the ones who performed on Triad Stage, hopefully they too will do this important play justice.

Call 336-723-7907 to order tickets ($25.00 each). If voice mail picks up, just leave your name and phone number, and you'll receive a call back. I don't think you'll regret putting forth the time and money to see this play. Just keep in mind that the content is very mature, and it's probably not appropriate to take children to see.

Here are some more details: Venue: RJR Black Box. Phone: 336.723.2266. Thursday, August 6, 2009, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. 301 N. Hawthorne Rd. Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

At Least Two Local Theatres Blogging Away

Two local theatres have blogs that highlight both current and upcoming productions: the Open Space Cafe Theatre Blog and the Triad Stage Blog.

Up next at the OSCT is "Dinah Was!: The Dinah Washington Musical," running from August 20-30, 2009.

Triad Stage is preparing for a "Picnic" that will be held between September 6th and September 27th.

If you've never visited these theatres before, I recommend both very highly. The only regrets I've ever experienced with these two theatres are the performances I haven't found/made time to attend. While very different from one another, what they share is the ability to bring highly entertaining, very provocative productions to life on their respective stages.

Knowing date ranges for each theatre's next productions, you seriously should consider making plans to attend these shows. Unless you make plans to do so, chances are high that you will end up missing great opportunities to see great entertainment practically in your own backyard.

Laughter Raises Serious Issues About Athletics

It's too late to catch it at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, but if you were lucky, maybe you saw "Rounding Third" before the show closed last Saturday (July 25th).

Two men with very different philosophies about what should matter most for young people who play sports are forced by circumstances to coach the same baseball team. Veteran coach Don knows that the only way that playing baseball can really be any fun is for the team to win. To win, he understands that he must select the players who already possess the most positive potential. Michael has very little experience with baseball and has never coached before, but for a variety of reasons, he's interested in doing so now. Fate leads Michael to become Don's assistant coach. You couldn't ask for a better mismatch of personalities, and in scene after scene, the stark differences in these two coaches' approaches and views jump out at the audience.

With some recent local events, a more timely play couldn't have been selected to help us examine our own personal views and attitudes about youth athletics.

Ken Ashford and Scott Stevens did an outstanding job of capturing the spirit of these two coaches, and their constant back-and-forth dialogue provided just about non-stop laughs. The lines are well-written for these characters, but Ashford and Stevens made sure that they were delivered in ways that guarantee their maximum impact (laughter!) on audience members.

I made it to the closing night performance with a group of 10 others, and we were thoroughly entertained. For that evening's performance, just about all the theatre's seats were taken. I was told that a few other nights didn't enjoy the numbers in the audience that this show and its performers deserved, and more than anything, that's an unrealized loss for anyone who didn't get a chance to see "Rounding Third."

The play doesn't ultimately answer the question of which philosophy is the superior one, but it gives both coaches a fair shot at making their cases for their respective views.

Guilford County has several venues for great theatre, and if you're not taking advantage of these opportunities to see live theatre in your own backyard, you probably don't realize what you're missing.

To get a glimpse of "Rounding Third," check out the Open Space Cafe Theatre's blog posts about this production (with photos included!): here's one, another one (with a Greensboro Grasshopper tie-in), a third one, and the final one.

Blogging Miss Daisy

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• 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

Enjoy!

Almost Ready for "Almost, Maine"?

Look at your calendar, and see which of these dates will work for you:

Wednesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 2 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 8 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 9 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 10 at 8:00 PM

Thursday, May 15 at 8:00 PM
Friday, May 16 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 PM

These are your 11 opportunities to see the Triad premiere of "Almost, Maine" at the Open Space Cafe Theatre.

In its second season, the OSC Theatre offers a completely unique play-viewing experience. Located at 4609 W. Market Street in Greensboro, you could ride by every day without noticing it. But once I found it, I fell in love and have been back to see every show since. I've thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated every experience I've had at the OSC Theatre, and I'm constantly recommending that others give this theatre a shot. I highly recommend that you consider setting aside a day to visit the OSC Theatre too--I don't think you'll be disappointed, and you might become as big a fan as I've become.

Expect intimacy. At the top of this link, you'll get a slight sense of what to expect. But those photos only begin to capture the atmosphere that's been created for your enjoyment. Small tables are set up throughout the theatre, and as you're seated, your hosts will come around and light candles at each table. Playbills adorn the walls, with the OSC Theatre's own posters being added to the collection. Back at the entrance, you can purchase yummy desserts and drinks to take back to your table and enjoy. As mentioned, it's a very different experience.

Once the plays begin, you're likely to fall in love with the performers. On the stage, they're up-close-and-personal, and in some instances, they even come out into the audience. Come to enough shows, and you'll see some of them again, taking on new roles, sometimes dramatically different ones from their previous roles. During intermissions, you have another chance to purchase some refreshments, and on one recent visit, an actor from a previous show was serving up cake and other treats. You'll feel as if you've entered someone's home and are being welcomed into an extended family.

This is the description for the current offering, "Almost, Maine":

"The Triad premeire of a new romantic comedy. The citizens of the little, remote town of Almost find through trial and error that the warmth of love can melt the cold snows of Maine . . . sometimes. 4 actors/ 18 characters. Funny, clever, full of laughs and ahh's!"

Again, these are the steps I'd suggest taking:

1. Select one of those dates I mentioned earlier.

2. Call the box office at 336-292-2285. You'll probably get voice mail, but just leave your name and phone number and indicate which day you'd like to attend and how many tickets you want. The OSC Theatre staff members are great about getting back in touch.

3. If you choose to attend between April 30 and May 3, be sure to say "W-1", and you'll receive $5.00 off the normal price of $20.00. (That $15.00-$20.00 investment has always gotten me my money's worth, and I'm hoping you'll be equally satisfied.)

4. For all the other dates, the cost is $20.00. Tickets are only $17.00 for senior citizens and college students. Children who are 17 years old and younger can get tickets for $10.00. Students can also get $10.00 tickets a half hour before performances, if tickets are still available.

5. Invite your friends, family members, and co-workers. If you get together 8 or more people, everyone will save $2.00 off their ticket prices. (I don't think this applies for the already-discounted $15.00 tickets.)

6. Determine a place to meet and enjoy dinner before the play. I'd suggest getting together between 5:30-6:00 PM at a close-by restaurant. (My parties have gotten together at Elizabeth's Pizza a few times. Bert's Seafood Grille is also a good option (right across the street from the OSC Theatre--if you're careful, you can just walk across the street instead of getting back in your car), not to mention countless others in the area.)

7. Plan to get to the theatre between 7:30-7:45 PM, particularly your first time.

8. Enjoy!

9. Let me know how your experience goes.

10. Assuming that you had a great time, make plans to attend the next show.

From the Open Space Cafe Theatre's website:

About the OSC Theatre

Group Sales and Rentals

Photo Gallery (scroll down to see photos from a couple of the theatre's previous productions)

Directions (If you have time and are in the area before you're scheduled to attend, seek out the theatre ahead of time so that you're not stressing to find it the day of the performance.)

Auditions

Fun Acts: Stirring Up Drama for Your Friends, Family, and Co-Workers

My parents did me a wonderful favor when I was a child by exposing me to plays and musicals. Sure, I didn't always appreciate it back then, but today, I couldn't be more grateful that they planted the seeds for me appreciating drama as an adult.

Still, for a period of time, I wasn't proactive enough about making plans to attend plays. And without definite plans, far too many plays came and went without me being in the audience. I still don't find or make as much time as I'd like to take advantage of all the wonderful theatrical experiences our area provides, but I've gotten a lot better. I've also gotten into the habit of inviting others to join me. In the past year particularly, I've created a system that works well for me and others too, I think.

These are the steps I follow:

1. Find a theatre or two (or more) that you enjoy. I've fallen in love with three local theatres particularly, though I've also enjoyed plays at other venues. I fell in love with Triad Stage with the first show I saw there: "Dracula." I had read about it before then and heard positive things about it, but on my part, there was no follow through, so I missed out on seeing all the great performances that came before "Dracula." Even since "Dracula," I've missed out on seeing plays there, and I deeply regret having allowed those opportunities to pass me by. In the past year though, I've focused and planned better, and I haven't missed a show this season. (I even went back for seconds and thirds of Preston Lane's simply amazing "Beautiful Star.") I already have plans to see "Bloody Blackbeard" two or three times. At least. (It's a world premiere, and it doesn't open until June 8th, but I know in my heart that I will enjoy seeing it each time and gain something new from each viewing.) I've been glad that I've made the time to see each play that I've seen there. The same has been true with the Open Space Cafe Theatre. I have to thank Leslie Mizell for her review of "The Mystery of Irma Vep"--that's what led me to discover the OSC Theatre. What a wonderful find! Since then, I haven't missed any of its offerings either, and I've thoroughly enjoyed every visit there. I'm also a fan of the Broach Theatre--I absolutely loved "Always . . . Patsy Cline," and for his birthday, I took my brother there to see "Intimate Apparel," another great performance. The Broach Theatre is now in its 21st season of providing great entertainment for our region.

2. Make plans to attend. Sometimes, with our busy schedules, this is the hard part, but for follow-through and actual attendance to occur, you can't be half-hearted about this. You have to keep up with when plays are running, and you have to figure out a time for you to see them. Keep your calendar handy. Figure out which days of the week the play is being performed, and then determine which of those days will work best for you. If you make plans to see all the plays that a theatre has to offer, you have to stay committed to making that actually happen. Otherwise, the days will pass, and you'll discover that a play's come and gone without you witnessing the performance. (If you plan to see more than one theatre's plays, you have to plan even more ahead so that you can fit in everything that you want to see.)

3. Find out if tickets are available for the date you select. Call the box office--these theatres that I've mentioned have wonderful people waiting to work with you. They're genuinely interested in making sure that they take care of you and your needs as much as possible. When you tell them that you're hoping to bring a group of people, they'll appreciate your additional support.

3. Invite your friends and family members and maybe even some strangers to join you. To do this, you have to figure out all the information to share. Which play and what theatre? What's the theatre's address, phone number, and website address? When (date and time)? How much (including discount options)? Will you get together for dinner beforehand?--If so, where, and at what time? I've created a "Play-Goers" e-mail distribution list so that I can easily send potentially interested friends, family members, and co-workers invitations that include all the details.

4. Reserve the tickets. I sometimes have had to pay ahead of time, even before I've collected people's money. If you're able to do that, just let the people planning to attend know when they need to pay you. Once you've established a relationship with the theatre's staff members, they will often work with you, and sometimes, they'll allow individuals in your group to pay as they arrive for the performance. (Different theatres have different policies--just ask.)

5. Remind everyone who's planning to attend of all the details a few days before the performance. Again, e-mail works well for this communication. Make sure people have all of your contact information. When necessary, provide directions. If you are planning to meet to eat before the play, let the restaurant know how many to expect. (Backing up a little, it's often a good idea to select eating establishments that are in the vicinity of the theatre.)

6. Enjoy! Have a great meal! Enjoy the precious time you have to socialize with your friends and family members, and if lesser known guests attend, take advantage of the opportunity to get to know them. Enjoy seeing the fantastic performances you'll almost undoubtably witness.

7. Make plans to see the next play on your list.

8. Spread the word! Tell others about your experiences. Invite them to join you. Create your own e-mail distribution list, and create an invitation system that works best for you. Ask people in person also--sometimes, a more personal touch is even more persuasive.

I already have plans to see at least three plays over the next couple months. These are plays I think you too might enjoy, at theatres I highly recommend. Next week, "Almost Maine" opens at the Open Space Cafe Theatre, and I'm planning to get together with at least 8 friends and family members for dinner-and-"Almost Maine." (If you haven't seen a play at the OSC Theatre yet, now's the perfect time to start. I really think you'll enjoy this uniquely intimate theatre and its productions.) At the same time, "From the Mississippi Delta" opens at Triad Stage. At least four of us are looking forward to seeing that play. And as I've already mentioned, I'm planning to see Triad Stage's "Bloody Blackbeard" at least 2-3 times when it opens. At least 24 of us are planning to see it one evening, and I'm trying to get others to join us as well. (I love everything about Triad Stage, including its commitment to constantly evolving excellence.) The Broach Theatre is also offering "The Dixie Swim Club"--if I can fit it in, I'll be there too, with at least a friend or family member or two. Care to join us?

Open Space Cafe Theatre Has One More Show Left In Its 2007 Inaugural Season

Timing hasn't allowed me to see the Open Space Cafe Theatre's last two productions prior to their closing shows, so I was only able to recommend "The Fantasticks" and "Deathtrap" based on my positive experiences with the theatre's two previous plays, "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and "Vanities." Having just seen "Deathtrap" last night, I thank the Open Space Cafe Theatre for providing yet another highly satisfying evening of entertainment. My only regret is that I missed the theatre's first four plays.

Before 2007 ends, I'm looking forward to seeing "Plaid Tidings," the theatre's last production of its inaugural season. And though I haven't yet seen it, I'll go out on a limb and suggest that if you're looking for high-quality entertainment, you too should make plans to see "Plaid Tidings." If it's on the same level as the other Open Space Cafe Theatre productions I've seen, you'll get more than your money's worth and have a great time as well. Right now, local theatre goers who haven't yet discovered the Open Space Cafe Theatre just don't know what they've been missing. As the theatre closes one season and prepares for its next, now's the perfect time for you to experience your first OSCT production.

"Plaid Tidings" runs November 29-December 15 and December 27-31. Shows run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM and on Sundays at 2:00 PM.

Tickets are $17.00 for senior citizens and students and $20.00 for everyone else. You can get $2.00 off each ticket by getting together a group of 8 or more. Also, if any tickets are still left, college students can drop by the theatre 30 minutes prior to a show and get their tickets $10.00 each.

Call the box office at (336)-292-2285. Just leave a message with your name, phone number, how many tickets you want, and which date you want your tickets. The theatre's staff is great about returning calls and confirming orders.

The theatre is located at 4609 West Market Street.

For more information about "Plaid Tidings," visit here.

This Weekend's Your Last Chance To See "Deathtrap"

This week is your last chance to see two great theatrical offerings in Greensboro: the Open Space Cafe Theatre's "Deathtrap" and Triad Stage's "Sleuth."

The Open Space Cafe Theatre finally has the front page of its new website up, just in time for its final three performances of "Deathtrap." (There's a 1982 movie version of "Deathtrap" that starred Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.)

The OSC Theatre's last three shows of "Deathtrap" will be at 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 1st; Friday, November 2nd; and Saturday, November 3rd.

The theatre is small--if you've driven on Market Street between Holden Road and Spring Garden Road, you've passed by it. It's located at 4609 W. Market Street. (There's a coffee shop across the street. I'm not a coffee drinker, but the coffee shop has "Java" in its name, I believe.)

Tickets are $17.00 for students and seniors and $20.00 for everyone else. However, if you get together a group of 8 or more, you get $2.00 off each ticket. And if you're a college student, you can drop by the theatre 30 minutes before the show, and if there are any tickets left, you can get them for only $10.00.

Call 336-292-2285 to order your tickets for "Deathtrap." If the box office is not open, leave your name, how many tickets you need, the date you want to attend, and your phone number. For the three shows that I've already attended, the theatre's staff has been great about getting back in touch with me to confirm my ticket order.

I have not seen "Deathtrap" yet--I'm planning to see it this weekend--but if it's as good as the Open Space Cafe Theatre's last three productions ("The Mystery of Irma Vep," "Vanities," and "The Fantasticks"), then you're guaranteed to enjoy a great evening of entertainment there.

The theatre itself is casually intimate--it's small, and everyone's seated at small tables. Before the show and during intermission, you also have a chance to purchase drinks and desserts to take back to your table and enjoy during the show.

I highly recommend the Open Space Cafe Theatre. If you haven't already tried it, this weekend might be a great time to start. I hope your experience is as good as mine have been. (Let me know!)

Help Greensboro Honor Three Michael Caine Roles By Attending Two Local Plays

I haven't seen either play yet, but I have plans to see both Triad Stage's "Sleuth" and the Open Space Cafe Theatre's "Deathtrap."

In movie versions of these two plays, Michael Caine has played three different roles. In 1972, Caine starred in "Sleuth" opposite Laurence Olivier. Ten years later, he shared the screen with Christopher Reeve in "Deathtrap." Currently (though not yet in Greensboro), Caine appears in a 2007 version of "Sleuth"--this time he plays the role originally inhabited by Olivier, while Jude Law now fills Caine's original role.

Running from October 14th through November 4th, "Sleuth" is being performed every day except Monday, with 7:30 PM shows Tuesday-Thursday, 8:00 PM shows Friday and Saturday, and 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM shows every Sunday (except November 4th, which only has a 2:00 PM performance).

Triad Stage is one of downtown Greensboro's true treasures. The only regret I have regarding Triad Stage is that I didn't discover it sooner--I hate even thinking about all the shows I missed before "Dracula" provided me an introduction.

Triad Stage tickets range from $10.00-$42.00. A few tips: 1) the gallery seats overlooking the stage from both sides are only $10.00 a piece, are comfortable bar stools, and provide a fascinating perspective on the action and 2) educators only have to pay half price for their tickets. To get your tickets, call the box office at (336)-272-0160, order your tickets on-line, or just drop by Triad Stage at 232 South Elm Street. (Box office open 1:00-6:00 PM Tuesday-Friday, and you can visit the box office an hour before any production. You can't order the gallery tickets on-line.)

The Open Space Cafe Theatre is a more recently added jewel to Greensboro's theatre scene. I missed its first four plays, but I've been very fortunate to have enjoyed its last three. And I'm planning to see "Deathtrap," its current production. "Deathtrap is running from October 18th through November 3rd, with 8:00 PM performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2:00 PM Sunday matinees.

I've loved all three of the productions I've seen at the Open Space Cafe Theatre: "The Mystery of Irma Vep," "Vanities," and "The Fantasticks." Located at 4609 West Market Street, this theatre can almost be entirely missed from the outside, but once you're inside, you're treated to an atmosphere that's a cool blend of intimate and casual. Seated at small tables, you can eat desserts and sip on drinks while enjoying a great show.

Adult tickets are $20.00, and tickets for students and seniors are $17.00. If you get together 8 or more people, there's a $2.00 discount off each ticket. (14 of us got together at Elizabeth's Pizza on Market Street prior to "The Fantasticks," enjoying a wonderfully entertaining evening together.) Also, students who arrive half-an-hour before the show can get tickets for $10.00 if there are any seats available. Call the box office at (336)-292-2285 and don't be afraid to leave a message if you get the voice mail. The theatre's staff is great about calling back to confirm your order.

While I haven't yet seen "Sleuth" or "Deathtrap," I feel fairly safe recommending both productions for local theatre-goers. If you haven't tried out Triad Stage and/or the Open Space Cafe Theatre, you're missing out on two of Greensboro's best entertainment offerings.

Open Space Cafe Theatre Worth Checking Out

I discovered Greensboro's Open Space Cafe Theatre earlier this summer, learning about it from a review of "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Leslie Mizell's review had made me curious about both the play and the theatre where it was being performed. While "Irma Vep" finished its run August 4th, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has since moved on to its next production.

"Vanities," a play by Jack Heifner, offers this basic plot: "Three women grow, or not, in this comic but biting look at the transformations from high school in the sixties, to college life, to real life in the seventies."

"Vanities" runs through September 1st, with these dates and and times remaining:

• Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Friday, August 24, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 2:00 PM
  
• Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Friday, August 31, 2007 at 8:00 PM
  
• Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 8:00 PM

Call the box office at (336)-292-2285. When I've gotten voice mail and left a message, someone has promptly gotten back in touch with me.

The theatre is located at 4609 West Market Street in Greensboro. (This is what the theatre looks like from outside.)

Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $17.00 for seniors and students.

There are special rates for groups of 8 or more. Also, there is a Student Rush--students can show up 30 minutes before show times and purchase tickets for $10.00 each (as long as there are still tickets left).

I'm thankful to Irma Vep introducing me to the Open Space Cafe Theatre. It's a small, intimate theatre, with small round tables facing the stage. You're welcome to arrive as early as an hour prior to the performance, with desserts and drinks available for you to purchase and take back to your table.

After "Vanities" finishes its run, the Open Space Cafe Theatre has three remaining shows for its 2007 inaugural season:

• "The Fantasticks" (September 13-October 6)
• "Death Trap" (October 18-November 3)
• "Plaid Tidings" (November 29-December 15 & December 27-31, with a special New Year's Eve Gala Performance)

Performances are Thursday through Saturday (at 8:00 PM) and Sunday (at 2:00 PM).

This theatre is a welcome addition to Greensboro's theatre community, and I encourage you to make plans to attend one of its plays and see how you like it for yourself.

Leslie Mizell pointed out that one of the theatre's weaknesses is not having its own website; for the time being at least, this post contains the basic information about remaining peformances, and hopefully the theatre will add its own website in the future.)

Only 4 Days Left To See Patsy Cline . . . Live!

(Scroll to bottom for information about remaining performances and tickets.)

I'm not a big fan of country music. I've enjoyed some country music over the years, but it's not the kind of music I turn to on the radio or that I usually choose to listen to.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed "Always . . . Patsy Cline."

Playing at the Broach Theatre in downtown Greensboro, "Always . . . Patsy Cline" is a cross between a play and a live-action concert.

The play part focuses on Houston housewife Louise Seger, who discovered Patsy Cline's music on the "Arthur Godfrey Show" in 1957. Played by Lee Strickland, Louise provides the play's narration and comic relief. With sassy spirit, honesty, and humor, Louise makes us interested in learning how she and Patsy got to know each other. There's some interaction between the two characters, but the play more often relies on Louise's storytelling skills to fill us in on the action.

When Patsy's around, she does what she's best known for: she sings. And performs.

Lisa Dames, a real-life country singer herself, pours enthusiasm and confidence into her role as Patsy. Whether Patsy's performing live or on the radio, we get to see and hear the results. While Louise wears the same outfit throughout the play, Patsy regularly changes costumes, starting with a beautiful purple dress and matching purple high heels. Just as you'd expect a high-quality performer to do, Patsy connects with her audience, making eye-contact, encouraging audience participation, and even stepping out into the audience to dance and flirt with a man or two.

The other performers in this play are the band members. They provide the background for Pasty's voice, and occasionally, they even become part of the conversations with Louise and Patsy. While always visible on-stage, they remain in the background and do not distract the audience from paying attention to the two women at the center of this production.

I can't imagine any country-music fans not having the time of their lives during this approximately two-hour performance. But I also think a lot people who don't typically gravitate to country music would have a great time. (I did!)

You only have four days left to see "Always . . . Patsy Cline":

• Wednesday, August 22, 2007
• Thursday, August 23, 2007
• Friday, August 24, 2007
• Saturday, August 25, 2007

Each of these performances begins at 8:00 PM, with a fifteen-minute intermission.

Call 378-9300 for tickets.

If you get voice mail, just indicate your name, phone number, the date you want to attend, and how many tickets you want.

Tickets cost $15.00-$20.00 each.

The Broach Theatre is located at 520 S. Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.

(Avoid procrastinating, and get your tickets today! Just as it did during its 2002 Greensboro run, this play tends to sell out its performances.)