Theatre Alliance to perform Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story

The Theatre Alliance, located at 1047 Northwest Blvd. in Winston-Salem, will present The Buddy Holly Story 

Performance Dates:

Friday, April 15, 2016 at 8 pm

Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 8 pm

Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 2 pm

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 8 pm

Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 8 pm

Friday, April 22, 2016 at 8 pm

Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 8 pm

Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 2 pm

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 8 pm

Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 8 pm

Friday, April 29, 2016 at 8 pm

Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 8 pm

Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 2 pm

Written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinso

Music and Lyrics by Various Artists

The Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be The Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “The Day The Music Died”. The show features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including “That’ll Be The Day”, “Peggy Sue”, “Everyday”, “Oh Boy”, “Not Fade Away”, “Rave On”, and “Raining In My Heart”, plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace”.

The incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock & roll, continues to live on in Buddy.

Gray Smith is no stranger to Theatre Alliance patrons or to portraying real people. He says of this role, “I have portrayed Hank Williams and George Jones, which were challenging in their own respect. With Buddy Holly, though, comes an energy that exudes through his music. It is exciting music to sing every evening. I think the audience is really going to enjoy hearing the music as much as we do by performing it!”

Omar Sosa is newer to Theatre Alliance and playing a childhood favorite. "Being able to portray one of music's greatest stars is truly an honor. Playing Ritchie Valens with this cast has been such a fun journey as our work is very detailed and stays true to the lives of the celebrities we are interpreting. I grew up listening to ‘La Bamba’ along with some of Ritchie's other tunes, so being able to bring this role to life and pay homage to him means very much to me, and I hope that the audience enjoys our portrayal and hard work."

Says Artistic Director Jamie Lawson, “I dare you to leave the theater without humming ‘Peggy Sue’, ‘Oh, Boy!’, or ‘Everyday’! Buddy Holly’s music is infectious (‘Words of Love’ is one of my personal favorites), and it’s the best medicine to cure what ails you. The party will be happening at Theatre Alliance, and we hope you can all make it!”

"The audience is elevated to joyful chaos." — Clive Barnes, New York Post

"These musical numbers will have you up on your feet clapping. Buddy is a blast!"

— Pia Lindstrom, WNBC-TV

“Remarkable…It’s a bona fide crowd pleaser!” – Variety

The Theatre Alliance production is directed by Jamie Lawson and musically directed by Tommy Jackson. The title role will be played by Gray Smith, seen starring in this season’s THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, and the cast also features Omar Sosa as Ritchie Valens and Tim Swift as The Big Bopper.

Buddy is sponsored by S & L Painting and Decorating, Inc.

(PG)

Tickets to Buddy are priced at $18 for Adults and $16 for students/seniors. There is also a $2 per ticket discount available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets to Buddy may be purchased in person at the Theatre Alliance Box Office (Fridays from 12:30-3:00 p.m.), online at www.wstheatrealliance.org or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006. Please call Theatre Alliance at (336) 723-7777 with any questions about this or future shows.

Student Rush: $14 before any performance. Tickets will go on sale five minutes before show time. MUST show current, valid student ID. Attendees must wait in a standby line until 5 minutes to show time, at which point, available seating is released. Tickets may not be reserved for Student Rush, under no circumstances; they must be purchased at the Box Office, 5 minutes prior to that day's performance. Limit one ticket per student. All seats subject to availability.

WEBSITE: http://www.wstheatrealliance.org

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/wstalliance

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/WSTheatreAlliance"

- A Press Release

Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance to perform BENT

The Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance, located at 1047 Northwest Blvd, will present BENT starting Jan 15. 

 By Martin Sherman

In 1934 Berlin on the eve of the Nazi incursion, Max, a grifter and his lover Rudy are recovering from a night of debauchery with a SA trooper. Two soldiers burst into the apartment and slit their guest’s throat, beginning a nightmare odyssey through Nazi Germany. Ranked lower on the human scale than Jews, the two men as awoved homosexuals, hope to survive with each other for comfort and courage.

Bent is a difficult story, one that does not hold back from the very ugliest of humanity.  But that makes it all the more important, as we either learn what those who came before us had to survive, or we see what people like us did to others who were “different”. 

Thao Nguyen plays Greta, the tough, practical proprietor of a gay nightclub who is sent back to his wife and kids as the Nazis rise to power.  “This piece of art history holds a very dear spot in my heart ever since I first saw the Holocaust Museum in DC,” says Thao, “This is a story that falls into the shadows of history. People who were the minorities of the minorities and whose stories were seldom told. We tell these stories so that they may never be forgotten and to teach the children.”

Says Artistic Director Jamie Lawson: “Bent is a powerhouse of a show that delivers a slice of life that should have never been served.  The play allows us to explore, only superficially, the horrors to which millions were subjected.  Stories like this must be told over and over, so we cannot forget them, lest we, as a race, repeat our mistakes.”

“Powerful and provocative.” – The New York Times

The Theatre Alliance production is directed by Jamie Lawson.  The cast features Michael Ackerman, Seph Schonekas, John C. Wilson, Adam Plant, Zac Hiatt, and Thao Nguyen. 

Performance Dates:

Friday, January 15, 2016 at 8 pm

Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 8 pm

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8 pm

Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 8 pm

Friday, January 22, 2016 at 8 pm

Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 8 pm

Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 2 pm

Contains adult themes, nudity, and strong language. (R)

Tickets to Bent are priced at $18 for Adults and $16 for students/seniors.  There is also a $2 per ticket discount available for groups of 10 or more.  Tickets to Bent may be purchased in person at the Theatre Alliance Box Office (Fridays from 12:30-3:00 p.m.), online at www.wstheatrealliance.org or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.  Please call Theatre Alliance at (336) 723-7777 with any questions about this or future shows.

Student Rush: $14 before any performance.  Tickets will go on sale five minutes before show time. MUST show current, valid student ID.  Attendees must wait in a standby line until 5 minutes to show time, at which point, available seating is released.  Tickets may not be reserved for Student Rush, under no circumstances; they must be purchased at the Box Office, 5 minutes prior to that day's performance. Limit one ticket per student.  All seats subject to availability."

- A Press Release

Theatre Alliance to perform Nunsense II – The Second Coming

"Nunsense II: The Second Coming could easily be subtitled “the rest of the story.” This sequel to the international hit musical Nunsense takes place approximately six weeks after the first “benefit performance.”

The same five nuns are back on stage at Mt. Saint Helen’s School for what is billed as a “Thank You Program” for their supporters. Since their first time out was such a success, they have decided that they should stick to their successful variety show formula. However, this time they are forced to work around the set dressing of The Mikado which is being presented the following week by the Hoboken Music Society on the Mt. Saint Helen’s stage.

Nunsense II features some of your favorite male cast members from Theatre Alliance’s 2011 showstopper Nunsense A-Men! and the 2013 Theatre Alliance hit Nunset Boulevard! Traditionally, men are only allowed in Nunsense A-Men!, but Theatre Alliance has special rights to stage all-male versions of all of the Nunsense canon. 

With songs like “The Padre Polka” and “What Would Elvis Do?”, TA’s take on the Little Sisters of Hoboken is just the thing for an end-of-the-summer treat.

John C. Wilson is returning to the habit for the third time. Says Wilson, “I love these characters and what each of them brings to the show. They each have their own relatable wackiness. There are lots of laughs in store!”

“This is the third time Theatre Alliance has staged one of the Nunsense shows,” says director Jamie Lawson. “Our audiences love them because they can bring the family to them and enjoy an evening of silly humor. The interaction with the audience makes every show different and simply hysterical! You never know what is going to happen on the stage at Mount Saint Helens! Upbeat numbers, nonstop pacing, and tongue-in-cheek ribald humor make for the perfect summer show! The best part is you forget these are men in nun's habits."

The Theatre Alliance production is directed by Jamie Lawson and musically directed by Dennis Raley. The cast features returning nuns Gray Smith, John C. Wilson, and Justin Hall, and newcomers to the habit, but still familiar TA faces, Troy Hurst and Seph Schonekas.

PERFORMANCE DATES:

Friday, August 14, 2015 at 8 pm

Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 8 pm

Sunday, August 16, 2015 at 2 pm

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 8 pm

Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 8 pm

Friday, August 21, 2015 at 8 pm

Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 8 pm

Sunday, August 23, 2015 at 2 pm

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 8 pm

Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 8 pm

Friday, August 28, 2015 at 8 pm

Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 8 pm

Sunday, August 30, 2015 at 2 pm

*The Saturday, August 22 performance will be audio described for the visually impaired. 

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Theatre Alliance, 1047 Northwest Blvd; Winston-Salem, NC

WEBSITE: http://www.wstheatrealliance.org

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/wstalliance

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/WSTheatreAlliance

MILD INNUENDO (PG)

Tickets to Nunsense are priced at $18 for Adults and $16 for students/seniors.  There is also a $2 per ticket discount available for groups of 10 or more.  Tickets to Nunsense may be purchased in person at the Theatre Alliance Box Office (Fridays from 12:30-3:00 p.m.), online at www.wstheatrealliance.org or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3006.  Please call Theatre Alliance at (336) 723-7777 with any questions about this or future shows.

Student Rush: $14 before any performance.  Tickets will go on sale five minutes before show time. MUST show current, valid student ID.  Attendees must wait in a standby line until 5 minutes to show time, at which point, available seating is released.  Tickets may not be reserved for Student Rush, under no circumstances; they must be purchased at the Box Office, 5 minutes prior to that day's performance. Limit one ticket per student.  All seats subject to availability."

- A Press Release

Spirit Gum Theatre Company to present Stop Kiss by Diana Son at Theatre Alliance

"For the final show of their second season, Spirit Gum Theatre Company will present Stop Kiss by Diana Son, July 31st-August 2nd. This compelling drama tells the story of Callie and Sara, two young women from different walks of life who meet in New York City and unexpectedly fall in love. Neither have been involved in a homosexual relationship before and they struggle to express their feelings for each other and to come out to their friends. Their first kiss provokes a violent attack that changes their lives in ways they could never have anticipated. This show is presented with support from Theatre Alliance, who generously offered the use of their performance space.

CAST LIST (in order of appearance):

Callie.....Sarah Jenkins
Sara.....Becky Hill McLaughlin
Detective Cole.....Ken Ashford
Mrs. Winsley/Nurse.....Nichelle Wright
George.....Michael Ackerman
Peter.....Nick Zayas

Directed by Michael Ackerman

Stage managed by Caitlin Stafford

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES:

Limited engagement!

Friday, July 31st, 2015 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, August 1st, 2015 at 2:00 pm AND 8:00 pm

Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 at 2:00 pm

LOCATION:

Theatre Alliance

1047 W. Northwest Blvd.

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Tickets are only $10 and must be purchased with cash at the Theatre Alliance box office before the show, though general admission tickets can be reserved in advance by emailing spiritgumtheatreco@gmail.com. This play contains strong language and adult subject matter and is inappropriate for children 12 and under."

(For more information, please contact Caitlin Stafford at spiritgumtheatreco@gmail.com or visit us at www.spiritgumtheatre.com.)

“Diana Son’s Stop Kiss plays like an absorbing public-service announcement. The tale of the furtive lesbian romance that unfolds in the months before and after the commission of a brutal hate crime, the piece sensitively chronicles the sexual awakening of two appealing young women as they tiptoe around mutual desire.”

- Peter Marks, Washington Post

“To love is to declare oneself, and Stop Kiss should speak to anyone who has had to search deep within to find the strength and conviction to join hands with another. I can't remember when a love story has moved me more.”

- Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times

- A Press Release

Theatre Alliance to perform staged reading of My First Time

"My First Time features four actors in hysterical and heartbreaking stories about first sexual experiences written by real people. In 1998, a decade before blogging began, a website was created that allowed people to anonymously share their own true stories about their First Times. The website became an instant phenomenon as over 40,000 stories poured in from around the globe that were silly, sweet, absurd, funny, heterosexual, homosexual, shy, sexy and everything in between. And now, these true stories and all of the unique characters in them are brought to life.

For this staged reading, part of their By the Book series, Theatre Alliance asked patrons of their February production of The Wedding Singer to submit their own stories to potentially add to the script.  This one-night-only event will heat things up like the May weather!

“Funny and touching to sweet, sexy and silly!” – The Village Voice

All Theatre Alliance staged readings are free to the public, and no reservations are required.  Donations will be accepted at the door for Planned Parenthood of Winston-Salem.

SEXUAL CONTENT, MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY (R)

Performances:

Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 8 pm"

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Theatre Alliance, 1047 Northwest Blvd; Winston-Salem, NC

WEBSITE: http://www.wstheatrealliance.org

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/wstalliance

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/WSTheatreAlliance

- A Press Release