Brilliant Music, Complex Dramas, and a Poignant Comedy

by Riley Schilling –

Create a special night with your partner by attending any of these live performances, sure to sweeten your Valentine’s heart.

Choose from compelling dramatics, stunning sound, sensual dance, or any combination thereof! Single? So! What better way to spend the evening than in a darkened theater seat immersed in the enchantment of live theatre?

 

Asheville Community Theatre
A Chorus Line

This brilliantly complex fusion of dance, song, and authentic drama redefined musical theatre. Directed by Chanda Calentine, with Musical Direction by Gary Mitchell, and Choreography by Tina Pisano-Foor, A.C.T. is thrilled to produce this show for the first time. Truly an ensemble piece, Director Calentine says, “The roles in this show are all triple-threats… [requiring] 25 people who can really dance, sing, and act. Fortunately, we got exactly who we needed.”

If You Go: February 6-March 1. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$25. Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville. (828) 254-1320, www.ashevilletheatre.org.
NC Stage
Annapurna

Ulysses is a formerly celebrated poet and English professor, and after a 20 year estrangement, his wife Emma tracks him down and finds him living in a trailer park in the middle of nowhere. It’s a comical and poignant story of mending lost love, starring Michael MacCauley and Callan White.

If You Go: Now through February 22. Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets $10-$32. NC Stage, 15 Stage Lane, Asheville. (828) 239-0263, www.ncstage.org.
Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown
The Music of ABBA

The annual Music on the Rock series kicks off Valentine’s weekend with their most requested concert. This regularly sold out event, in an intimate acoustic space, seats only 250 per show. Featuring, for the first time, the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus led by Diane David, starring Music on the Rock series’ showstopper, Dustin Brayley, with Erin Mosher and Beth Kuhn. Musical Director is Michael Sebastian.

If You Go: February 12-15. Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15-$25. Flat Rock Playhouse, 125 S. Main Street, Hendersonville. (828) 693-0731, www.flatrockplayhouse.org
Hendersonville Little Theatre
The Miracle Worker

Opening their 50th Season, Director Theresa Cox leads her cast in presenting William Gibson’s play based on the true events of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan.

If You Go: February 13-15, 19-22, and February 26-March 1. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets: $10-$20. Hendersonville Little Theatre, 229 S. Washington St., Hendersonville. Details: (828) 692-1082, www.hendersonvillelittletheatre.org
Asheville Symphony Orchestra
Denk Plays Asheville Concerto

Nature-lovers are sure to enjoy this Valentine’s program themed in earthbound inspiration. The meditation on our beloved environment is punctuated with a piece crafted in our own backyard.

Bela Bartok spent the summer of 1945 in Asheville recovering from a serious illness that later carried him on in September of that year. During days of healing, the beauty and birdsong of our Appalachian woods inspired his most beloved Piano Concerto No. 3 for piano and orchestra. Internationally-acclaimed Jeremey Denk is featured on piano. Directed by Daniel Meyer. The evening also includes Zhou Tian’s A Thousand Years of Good Prayers and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

If You Go: Saturday, February 14, 8 p.m. US Cellular Center, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St, Downtown Asheville. Details: (828) 254-7046, www.ashevillesymphony.org.

 

Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre
Zelda and Scott Loved Dance

This fundraiser is themed in the “flapper” tradition of the 20’s, inspired by the Fitzgerald’s love of dance. Held at the Homewood in Montford (note: historical significance), featuring live music by the Warren Gaughan Trio and piano virtuoso Chris Zhang, a champagne bar (with beer and wine), heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and of course, dance! Enjoy shorts by Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (ACDT) and an open floor for guests to dance. Come in costume to earn a free drink. Proceeds benefit ACDT’s international tours.

If You Go: Friday, February 13, 2015. $25 before February 6, $30 at the door. Homewood, 19 Zillicoa St., Asheville. Details: (828) 254-2621, www.acdt.org.
Asheville Lyric Opera
Winter Gala

The Winter Gala opens the Opera’s 2015 season with an event destined to please newcomers alongside longtime members. The evening features fine appetizers, family style entrees, wines, coffee and desserts provided by select local restaurants as well as sneak-peak performances by lead artists.

A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the evening offering opera memorabilia, a private concert, tickets to ALO shows, area music and theatre, a chance to attend the PGA World Tour, and items from various Asheville artists, boutiques and vendors.

If You Go: Saturday, February 21 at 6 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton – Biltmore. Details: (828) 236-0670, www.ashevillelyric.org.

 

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You may contact Riley Schilling by email to riley@rapidrivermagazine.com