Spring 2013 Performance Schedule
Appalachian Music Concert: Hello Stranger, featuring Dale Jett
Saturday, February 23 7 pm
Adults-$10; Students free
A third generation member of the legendary Carter Family (son of Janette Carter and grandson of A.P. and Sara Carter), Dale Jett carries on his family’s music tradition. Hello Stranger, which also features the talents of Teresa Jett and Oscar Harris, provides the closest link possible to the Original Carter Family as the ensemble continues the unbroken circle of music that has influenced them. This Carter Family Legacy Concert blends traditional songs, historical facts, and stories about growing up within the “family circle.” This concert is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Eric Byrd Jazz Trio
Friday, March 22, 7 pm
Adults-$10; Students free
Glorifying the age of traditional jazz, the Eric Byrd Trio provides an energetic and modern approach to standards and original compositions. The group has performed internationally, and has served as Kennedy Center/United States State Department Jazz Ambassadors. The primary composer of the group, pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, has been playing professionally for more than 30 years. Along with swing and be-bop, rousing gospel-tinged chords and trilling blues lines are fundamental elements of his performance style. A graduate of the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles, acoustic bassist Bhagwan Khalsa’s original arrangements are essential to shaping the sound of the trio. No one – no one – plays quite like drummer/percussionist Alphonso M. Young, Jr., whose energetic swing style can only be described as breathtaking.
Blithe Spirit
Thursday – Saturday, April 11-13 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 14 3 pm
Adults-$10; Students free
Hoping to gain material for his next novel, writer Charles Condomine invites the clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance. His plan backfires after the event, when he is haunted by the ghost of his annoying first wife, Elvira, who attempts to disrupt Charles's current marriage to Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost – but can’t help noticing her husband’s erratic behavior. Randy Lilly directs this BRCC student production of Noel Coward’s comic play.
The Stories of Scheherazade
Friday - Saturday, May 17-18 7 pm
Sunday, May 19 3 pm
Adults-$10; Students free
Take a dazzling trip on a musical magic carpet ride through the colorful legend of Scheherazade, the greatest storyteller of the ancient Arabian world. Scheherazade is called upon to use her tale-spinning talents to save her people from certain destruction. Betrayed by his betrothed, the hot-tempered King Raynah decides to punish all women in his kingdom. Armed only with her wit and just a smattering of magic, Scheherazade weaves the classic Arabian tale — underscored by captivating musical themes — for the king himself. Her enchanted story transforms royal counselors into powerful genies and mutates the king into his own worst enemy — a woman. By the final curtain, the king has become a victim of his own revengeful plot. Adapted from the Arabian Nights stories by Susan Pargman, with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur, this production is co-directed by Justine Juart and Sarah Layman.
Past Performances - Fall 2012
Comedy Concert Featuring Matt Jernigan
Friday, August 24
Get the school year off to a rousing start with Matt Jernigan’s clean comedy routine! Matt’s humorous combination of song parodies and celebrity impressions range from Elvis Presley and Justin Bieber to Smash Mouth, Lady Gaga and Donald Duck. A talented actor, Matt has performed in some of the nation's top comedy clubs, and appeared on television shows including The X Files, Days of Our Lives, Comedy Central's Make Me Laugh, and Matlock.
Twelfth Night
Friday, September 21
Shakespeare provides a feast of language and songs — and a stage full of memorable characters — from the lovesick Orsino and Viola to the alesick Toby Belch, from the acquiescent Sir Andrew Aguecheek to the pompous Malvolio. Twelfth Night breaks rules and bends gender to show love in all its guises and disguises in this American Shakespeare Center on Tour production.
Parallel Lives
Friday – Saturday, October 5-6
Sunday, October 7
DUE TO SUBJECT MATTER AND LANGUAGE, THIS PERFORMANCE IS FOR MATURE AUDIENCES.
Step into an outrageous universe, where two actresses play men and women struggling through the common rituals of modern life: teenagers on a date, sisters at confession, a man and a woman in a country-western bar. Written by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy, and featuring the talents of community theatre veterans Barbara Spilman Lawson and Sandi Belcher, this BRCC Fine Arts Center production exudes boundless humor while reexamining the human quest to find parity and love. “Parallel Lives is a smart, provocative show." — Variety
Virginia Hunger Symposium
Empty Bowl Dinner
Thursday, October 25
Tom Paxton: Virginia Hunger Symposium Benefit Concert
Friday, October 26
$20 per person minimum donation (proceeds help support Blue Ridge Area Food Bank)
Considered a pillar of the songwriting and folk music community, Tom Paxton has performed thousands of concerts around the world, written hundreds of songs (recorded by artists from Willie Nelson to Placido Domingo to Johnny Cash), and authored critically acclaimed children’s books. An internationally recognized and loved cultural figure, Tom Paxton’s place in folk music is secured not just by a 45-year career that includes hit records and awards, but also by the admiration of three generations of fellow musicians.
The Hudson Trio
Sunday, Nov. 4
Join the Hudson Trio on a musical tour around the world with spritely trios by Bright Sheng (China), timeless melodies of Fritz Kreisler (Austria), the impressionistic music of Maurice Ravel (France), an Edwardian love-song from Edward Elgar (England), Appalachian inspired folk tunes from fiddler Mark O'Conner (America), and much more. Experience the special flavors of cultures from near and far through music. No passports necessary! This concert is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, with special support from Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.
Oliver Twist
Saturday, November 17
Sunday, November 18
Enjoy again the fascinating characters from this exciting story: the Artful Dodger, Fagin, menacing Bill Sikes, and the kind-hearted Nancy. Travel with Oliver as he becomes involved in a plot containing mystery, robbery and revenge; until Oliver’s true identity is discovered and he finds a home and happiness with his benefactor, Mr. Brownlow. Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, and adapted for the stage by Joellen Bland, this BRCC Children’s Theatre Workshop production is directed by Matthew Grandpré.
