NRACT Shines Like the Sun with 9 to 5 the Musical!

A few weeks ago, I told my parents that I would do anything to see 9 to 5 the Musical.  After years of seeing the movie and listening to the original cast recording, I was ready to see the show outside of a few youtube videos.  A random Facebook ad led me to hear about a local production of the show. Well, I did say I would do anything.

     

                                                            Photo courtesy of nract.org.

I was not expecting to be blown out of my seat by the sheer talent, force, and heart of North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre's production.

In 2009, Dolly Parton's musical, 9 to 5, opened on Broadway and earned fifteen Drama Desk Award nominations and four Tony Award nominations.  The show starred Allison Janney (NBC's The West Wing, CBS's Mom), Stephanie J. Block (The Boy From Oz, Wicked), Megan Hilty (NBC's SMASH, Wicked), and Marc Kudisch (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie).  While the production was short-lived, it certainly lived on among Dolly and Broadway fans.

Video courtesy of ABC via youtube.

Directed by James Ilsley, NRACT's production brings together some of the area's most talented to bring the show to life.  It should be noted that, unlike other groups, the cast and crew are volunteers - simply coming together to share their love of performing with each other and their audience.

    

               Mary Reilly, Mary Beth Hollmann, and AC Donohue as Judy, Violet, & Doralee. Photo courtesy of nract.org.

The show stars Mary Beth Hollmann, AC Donohue, and Mary Reilly as Violet, Doralee, and Judy respectively.  Alongside them, Bill Andrews plays Mr. Frank Hart, Natalie Turgeon plays Roz Keith, and David Kerman as Joe.  I cannot say how talented every person in the cast is; all have powerful voices that bring down the house in every number.  

A show like 9 to 5 requires a big cast to help carry the musical numbers, but the 18 performers in this production are the epitome of the phrase "less is more."  From the  beginning, a video of Dolly Parton leads the cast through the tale of three women who begin to fight back against their egotistical boss. The same video continues throughout the show providing the audience with a sense of location, as the sets are limited.  Following Dolly's lead, the cast brings audience members into the offices and homes of the characters.

Overall, the production is nothing short of stellar.  As mentioned, everyone involved is a volunteer - simply in it because they care.  It is rare to see a live show in which everyone is performing simply for the joy of performing.  Yes, the singers and actors are talented, but the passion is what makes this show shine like the sun!

9 to 5 runs until July 26!  Get your tickets now!

Be sure to like NRACT on Facebook, twitter, and instagram!  Also, check out their website for information about the rest of the season!

Nashville Predators Vs. Hurricanes Recap

Nashville the top team in ESPN's power rankings, #1 in their division, and riding a 4 game win streak came into PNC Arena Tuesday night with a lot of momentum. The Hurricanes coming off a loss Saturday against Pittsburgh was ready to play and look well rested after a day off Sunday and a strong practice Monday.

Liles 

Nashville came out strong testing Cam Ward early but Carolina matched their intensity and kept the offensive fore-checking going strong. Cam Ward saved 28 of 29 shots faced and had a save percentage of .970; even thought Cam's overall record doesn't reflect the type of performance he is putting on the ice, fans can really see the improvement for last season and the confidence he has gained under new goalie coach David Marcoux.

Victor Rask

Hurricanes got on the board late in the 1st period on a goal from Jeff Skinner who has 5 goals and 5 assists in his career against Nashville. The Hurricanes got another goal to add to the lead from Victor Rask and held that lead till Mike Ribeiro got a goal in the middle of the 3rd period. That was all the Predators could get past Ward; what didn't help Nashville was the 2 penalty they received half-way through the third period. Even though the Hurricanes did not score on those PowerPlays it took the momentum away from Nashville.

Hurricanes ended Nashville's win streak and also ended their own losing streak! A win over one of the top teams in the West had to be a great confidence booster for the team and for Elias Lindholm who celebrated his 20th birthday. This was also a family affair for Elias Lindholm; his cousin Calle Jarnkrok is a recent call up for the Predators.

Upcoming Hurricanes Home Game

#1 Star Skinner

12/4 - Washington Capitals @ 7pm
12/7 - Detroit Red Wings @ 5pm
12/8 - New Jersey Devils @ 7pm

Three Stars of the Game 
1. Jeff Skinner: 1Goal 1 Assits
2. Cam Ward: 28 saves
3. Victor Rask: Game Winning Goal

Hurricanes Goals
1st Period: Jeff Skinner (6) ASST: Nestrasil (3) Liles (4)
2nd Period: NONE
3rd Period: Victor Rask (4) ASST: Jeff Skinner (7)

Regular Season Game 4: Kings Vs. Hurricanes

Chris Terry 

The Hurricanes finished October with a record of 0-6-2; but when the calendar changed to November so did the Hurricanes. For the first time this season the Hurricanes have a win streak of 2 after defeating the Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings 3-2. After coming off the win the night before the Hurricanes came out a little slow allowing the Kings to get some good offensive chance but Cam Ward shined again for the second night in a row; Ward stopped 30 out of 32 shots faced.

Justin Williams

When the LA Kings came into Carolina they were already having a tough trip East losing the first 3 games and still looking for the 1st road win of the season. The Conn Smythe winner Justin Williams made his return to Raleigh; Williams is a beloved former Hurricane who was traded to the Kings in 2009 and has been an instrumental part of there success as well.

Victor Rask 

Hurricanes got out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Victor Rask and Chris Terry; that was Rask 1st NHL goal and Terry got another powerplay goal for the Canes. With that power play goal the Hurricanes are 8-34 on the season. The Kings never got a lead and never tied the game but Elias Lindholm had the game winning goal in the 2nd period and he is now on a goal streak of 2 games.







When the Hurricanes return to PNC Arena on November 7th against the Blue Jackets it will be hockey fights cancer night. So make sure you wear some lavender!!!

Three Stars 
1. Cam Ward: 30 out of 32 Shots
2. Elias Lindholm: Game Winning Goal
3. Chris Terry: Powerplay Goal

Hurricanes Scoring
1st Period: Victor Rask (1) ASST: Terry (3) Boychuk (2)
Chris Terry (3) ASST: Sekera (4) Lindholm (2)
2nd Period: Elias Lindholm ASST: Gerbe (2) Nash (5)
3rd Period: NONE

Review: NC Theatre's 'A Chorus Line'

A Chorus Line is kicking off North Carolina Theatre’s 2014-15 season in a big way.  North Carolina Theatre is the region’s premiere nonprofit professional regional theatre and has been producing professional Broadway revivals for 30 years.  The current season includes some amazing titles beginning with the singular sensation that is A Chorus Line.

A Chorus Line tells the story of 17 dancers who are auditioning to be on the chorus line of an unnamed Broadway show.  The show centers on the dancers’ struggles and determination to get the job.   It is based on interviews of real chorus dancers by director and choreographer Michael Bennett.  Bennett transformed the stories he heard from dancers into a groundbreaking musical hit. Each character in the show is based off of the story Bennett heard from a dancer.

The woman who was the inspiration for the character of “Val”, Mitiz Hamilton, is the director and choreographer for NC Theatre’s production of the Broadway show.  Hamilton also played “Val” on Broadway and in the original London cast, and has directed more than 40 regional productions of A Chorus Line. 

NC Theatre is known for producing quality shows with casts of Broadway caliber talent, and A Chorus Line is no exception.  Every dancer in the show illuminates the struggles and hard work that it takes to be a dancer in the chorus line, while demonstrating the joy that comes from giving everything for your passion. 

Especially captivating is Jessica Lee Goldyn in the role of “Cassie”.  Her dancing was fantastic and even when she is in the line your focus easily falls to her.  The dance during “The Music and the Mirror” is long, but Goldyn’s movements kept it compelling throughout the entire number. 

Other standouts include Rachel Schur in the role of “Val” which can’t be an easy role to undertake when your director is the real-life inspiration for the character.  Schur hits her lines spot on and had the audience rolling during “Dance 10; Look 3”.  Hilary Michael Thompson played “Sheila” brilliantly and Alexandra Fassler in the role of “Diana” nailed the 11 o’clock number “What I Did For Love”.

The show culminates in a quintessential musical theatre number instead of the usual curtain call.  The final number is one of the best parts of the show and the set lends itself perfectly to making it a superb closing number.

Long story short, Mitzi’s still got it! This production is well worth seeing!

The show opened Tuesday night October 14 and runs through the 19^th at Duke Energy Center for the Performing arts. Buy tickets HERE.

Sara Bareilles Gets Her Little Black Dress On In Raleigh

On July 22, Sara Bareilles brought her magnificent talent and tour to the Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh, NC.  Bareilles is a force to be reckoned with.  She brings a raw and natural talent to the stage that is rarely found in artists today.  She commanded the audience with every breath, every word.  The stage is her home. The air was electric as she sang familiar hits, intertwined with newer songs.

Her presence was magnetic, even as she briefly came out on stage before the show started to introduce the opening acts, Emily King and Lucius, and as she stood side stage to watch the bands perform.  This was our first time seeing the singer-songwriter, but it certainly won't be the last!

The opening acts, Emily King and Lucius were both excellent and brought a quality to the stage that was delightfully unexpected from the stand point of an audience who in large part wasn't planning to take notice of the openers.  Emily King is a singer-songwriter from New York City who brought such a soulful presence that the audience couldn't help but turn their attention to the stage.  It only makes sense that an artist with so much pure talent (Bareilles) would bring talented opening acts on the road with her and that is exactly what she did.  After King performed a set of soulful ballads, Lucius came out on stage and rocked.  They simply rocked. Their debut album is out now, and it is worth purchasing. The lead singers, Jess Wolfe and Holly Lessig are enormously talented and every song they played pumped a new life into the audience in preparation for Bareilles taking the stage.

Bareilles began her set with "Little Black Dress" and took the audience on a journey of love, loss, laughter and life before ending with an encore of "Satellite Call".  Words can barely describe the tremendous and transcendent experience of the concert.  She was better live than on CD, DVD or video .  She had background projections for most songs, of those I especially enjoyed the projections for "I Choose You".  Two of the most spectacular songs from the evening were her cover of Sia's "Chandelier" and a new song from the musical adaptation of Waitress that she is writing entitled "She Used to be Mine".

Sara Bareilles always brings a night full of fun, tears, cursing, and most of all joy! Everyone should see her live! Don't miss her when the Little Black Dress Tour stops in your city!