By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 5-17-07
GREENSBORO, NC – Gearing up for another long, hot summer? Looking for ways to beat the heat?
Consider “enrolling” in Theatre 232—a crash course in summer entertainment from UNCG Theatre and Triad Stage.
The summer theatre festival, in its second year, is named to suggest theatre courses at UNCG as well as the physical street address of Triad Stage, 232 South Elm St. in downtown Greensboro. All performances take place there.
The festival’s centerpiece is Triad Stage’s production of “Tobacco Road,” Jack Kirkland’s adaptation of Erskine Caldwell’s novel. The play is a heartbreaking and gritty look at Southern farm life, families and the struggles of poverty. Preston Lane, artistic director for Triad Stage, will direct the Southern drama. “Tobacco Road” opens June 10 and runs through July 1. Call (336) 272-0160 for “Tobacco Road” information or log-on to www.triadstage.org to purchase tickets or see specific dates and times.
Also in the season is “Carolina Jack’s Last Adventure” by Peter Duffy. Lori Ann Cargill directs this world premiere musical. The play features interactive retellings of Appalachian folktales to today’s iPod, Nintendo and TiVo generation of youngsters. Carolina Jack and his posse of misfit folktale heroes—including Brer Snake and Brer Possum—must bring today’s techno youth generation back to the beloved and treasured folktales of the North Carolina Mountains. This production contains acoustical music and is designed to delight the whole family.
“Carolina Jack’s Last Adventure” opens Tuesday, June 12, and runs through June 30. Special performances will be scheduled during weekday mornings and afternoons to accommodate summer camps, daycares and community centers’ children’s programming. Tickets are $7 for adults; $6 for students, children, and senior citizens; and $5 for groups of 10 or more. Call (336) 272-0160 to purchase individual/family tickets or log-on to http://nctyp.uncg.edu to reserve a group or for more information. Play dates and times are:
• Tuesday, June 12-Friday, June 15 10 a.m. performances
• Saturday, June 16 2 p.m. performance
• Tuesday, June 19-Friday, June 22 10 a.m. performances
• Saturday, June 23 2 p.m. performance
• Tuesday, June 26-Friday, June 29 10 a.m. and noon performances
• Saturday, June 30 2 p.m. performance
THTR 232 will also offer drama workshops, or Dramashops, for student/children groups attending “Carolina Jack’s Last Adventure.” If you reserve a youth group of 20 or more for “Carolina Jack,” stay for a free, hands-on Dramashop! Workshops enrich and expand upon the stories and characters introduced in the play. Kids can play drama games, learn the ins and outs of producing a play, and get the chance to enact their own North Carolina folktale. THTR 232’s theatre educators are also available to come to your school, community, daycare center, church or swim club. For more information about scheduling Dramashops, email THTR232@gmail.com or call (336) 334-4392.
For night owls, THTR 232 has the kitschy and kooky and slightly off-center, too, with Sick-n-Wrong Theatre. Immediately after the Friday and Saturday evening performances of “Tobacco Road,” patrons can stick around for Charles Busch’s plays, “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” and “Sleeping Beauty or Coma.” UNCG Theatre professor Jim Wren is coordinating these offbeat adult comedies in the late-night slot. Performances will be June 15 and 16, June 22 and 23; and June 29 and 30. The start time is tentative, approximately 10 p.m. Sick-n-Wrong Theatre runs approximately 70 minutes. Call (336) 272-0160 to purchase $10 general admission tickets for these late-night cult classics.
THTR 232 is proud to announce the acting company for these three productions: Ali Bayless, Brad Brown, Zac Campbell, Jon Douglas, Michael Flannery, David Harrell, Lesley Hunt, Stephen Losack, Mack McClain, Rosie McGuire, Ambien Mitchell, Becca Nerz, Beth Ritson, Rene Walek and Gordon Joseph Weiss.
THTR 232’s design and production team includes Jennifer Baker, James Bria, Lori Ann Cargill, Claire Garrard, Matthew Emerson, Julie Devore, Julie Marchiano, Annika Pfaender, Joshua Purvis and Parker Welch.
The Triad Stage and UNCG Theatre year-round production, administration and artistic staffs are also part of the THTR 232 company.
