(see full photo gallery at end of article)
The atmosphere was festive as CenterStage supporters arrived at the JCC on Saturday, June 27, for a preview of the 2015-16 season. There was a feeling of great anticipation in the air as people picked up their appetizers and drinks and settled into CenterStage’s comfortable, new chairs, and the crowd was not disappointed.
With the company’s Artistic Director John Leffert as emcee, Jordan Price, Walker Evans, Emmett King, Jessica Adamson, Julie McGuffey, Lauren McCombs, Cory Stephens, Remy Sisk, Maggie Patton, Tymika Prince, Amy Wheatley and Melissa Kenney Shepherd presented teasers from the upcoming season.
From well-known pieces like the theme from 9to5 The Musical performed by McCombs, McGuffey and Adamson to the lesser known “Fight the Dragons,” from Big Fish, that has almost become Price’s theme song, every piece left the audience eagerly anticipating the new season.
The Who’s Tommy, presented by j Michael’s Spa and Salon, has already completed its run, but there is plenty yet to come. 9to5, presented by Hilliard Lyons and ABCSignup.com, runs August 20-30 and promises an evening of music by Dolly Parton, comedy and fun as three quirky secretaries take on their chauvinistic boss.
From October 22-November 8, it’s the Charles Dickens classic Oliver! Emmett King and Walker Evans, two talented youngsters, provided a taste of the show with “Consider Yourself at Home” – which, of course, also goes for CenterStage’s invitation to the community.
That will be followed by Big Fish, presented by Platinum Travel, January 28-February 14; and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, presented by Hilliard Lyons.
While Melissa Shepherd didn’t offer a song from Patsy Cline: A Life in Concert, presented by Hilliard Lyons, she gave tantalizing hint of what theater-goers should expect from this updated version of her popular show. She even let it slip that Mike Fryman, one of the best male honky tong singers in the area, will be joining her on stage from May 11-22.
And in a first for CenterStage, The Rocky Horror Show will be running in rep with Patsy Cline.
Don’t have your tickets yet? Go to CenterStageJCC.org or call 502-238-2773 for more information or to purchase tickets.
