Arts Agenda Search – CL Recommends
The Divine Sister
Through June 20, 7:30 p.m. and Through June 22, 8 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
Move over Sister Act! When it comes to habits and Hail Mary’s, you’ve got competition from playwright Charles Busch’s The Divine Sister — stirring up hallelujahs at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, May 31-June 22. Actor Ashby Blakely stars as the leading lady, Mother Superior, in this heavenly production directed by Matt Cosper. Superior, who was a sassy reporter before she confined herself to the convent, faces the dreadful task of building a new school while dealing with the other sisters, each of whom has their own secrets lurking behind the cloister walls. There’s a young postulant who is experiencing “visions,” a sensitive schoolboy in need of mentoring, an unusual nun visiting from Germany, suppressed sexual urges among most of the nuns, and a former suitor intent on luring Superior away from her vows. No-nonsense nuns? We think not!
$17 during previews on May 31 and June 1; $26-31; Pay what you can on June 12
Appetite for Risk: Works by Emilio Stanzani
Through July 1Visual Arts
They say you are either remembered or forgotten after death. But Emilio Stanzani falls somewhere between those lines. A renowned Swiss sculptor and artist (1906-1977), his abstract works continue to circulate the globe, yet little seems to surface about Stanzani himself (try a quick Google search and you'll see what I mean). That makes the new exhibit of his works, Appetite for Risk: Works by Emilio Stanzani, at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art all the more curious. Though small, the exhibit only contains 12 works created by Stanzani between 1956 and 1968, it provides insight into the styles of his works, which vary from abstract drawings, sketches and paintings that are polychromatic and shape shifting, to more representational sculptures of wood, stone and bronze. While you're there, be sure to check out the museum's main exhibit, Artistic Relationships: Partners, Mentors and Lovers, as well as other collections of mid-20th century artwork by big name artists. $4-$8 (free for members and children ages 10 and under)
Artistic Relationships: Partners, Mentors, Lovers
Through July 29Visual Arts
It's not an exaggeration to say that love is in the air at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The museum's latest exhibit showcases more than 50 pieces by some of modern art's most renowned figures including Joan Miró and Alexander Calder. Artistic Relationships digs deep to expose the ways these artists were connected to one another through shared passions and more personal circumstances. Many of them shared friendships, love affairs (ooh la-la!) and teacher/student relationships. Think of this as the closest you're ever going to get to a Midnight in Paris-type experience. $4-$8
Dave Chappelle
Fri., June 21, 7:30 p.m. and Sat., June 22, 7:30 & 10 p.m.Comedy
It’s no big surprise that tickets to see one of the most popular comedians of our time at Belk Theater went like hot cakes — and led to a second and third show add (if not sold out already, they will be soon). Dave Chappelle remains a spearhead in the stand-up world despite his abrupt departure from Chappelle’s Show in the middle of the third season. Since then, he’s taken a rather low profile, leaving a void in the comedy scene — only filled with the occasional pop-up gigs, like this mini-tour stop in the Q.C. Rumors are circulating on the Internet about a stand-up super tour between Chappelle and Chris Rock in the future. So is this his big comeback before he hits the road with a partner in crime? We really can’t say, judging by Chappelle’s unpredictable behavior and what seems to be a fancy for reclusivity. But we do think this is one of those shows that shouldn’t be missed.
$52
Assassins
Thu., June 20, 8 p.m., Fri., June 21, 8 p.m., Sat., June 22, 8 p.m., Thu., June 27, 8 p.m., Fri., June 28, 8 p.m., Sat., June 29, 8 p.m., Thu., July 4, 8 p.m., Fri., July 5, 8 p.m., Sat., July 6, 8 p.m., Sun., July 7, 2:30 p.m., Thu., July 11, 8 p.m., Fri., July 12, 8 p.m., Sat., July 13, 8 p.m. and Sun., July 14, 2:30 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
In CAST's season-closing show Assassins, composer Stephen Sondheim sets music to murder in an interesting history lesson. Produced in 1990, the Tony-award-winning musical tells the real-life stories of successful and unsuccessful presidential assassinations. Who isn’t interested in seeing a psychopath sing? Director Charles LaBorde leads the 21-piece cast, taking the audience through the motives of nine infamous individuals — including John Wilkes Booth, John Hinckley, Lee Harvey Oswald and Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme.
$18-$28
Damn Yankees
Fri., June 21, 8 p.m., Sat., June 22, 8 p.m., Sun., June 23, 2:30 p.m., Tue., June 25, 7 p.m., Wed., June 26, 7:30 p.m., Thu., June 27, 7:30 p.m., Fri., June 28, 8 p.m. and Sat., June 29, 8 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
Baseball was very, very different back in the 1950s. New York baseball teams — there were three of them — won eight of the 10 World Series, while Washington’s team, the lowly Senators, barely stayed through that decade before skulking off to Minnesota. No wonder Damn Yankees struck a chord with Broadway musical and baseball fans alike. Divine intervention really seemed necessary for the hapless Senators to even contend with the mighty Yankees. Or, as the scenario of the 1956 Tony Award winner surmised, it would take a bargain between an ardent Senators fanatic and the devil himself. The debonair Dennis Delamar will portray archfiend Mr. Applegate in the CPCC Summer Theatre production at Halton Theater, tempting Joe Hardy with the promise of baseball glory. And, when celebrity and heroism aren’t enough to keep Joe on the road to damnation, he’ll send in a leggy siren named Lola as his relief pitcher. The tenuous balance between good and evil is maintained by the musical’s two hit songs, “(You Gotta Have) Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets).”
$10-$22
Kyle Kinane
Mon., June 24, 8 p.m.Comedy
Comedian Kyle Kinane has a knack for twisting mundane, everyday life occurrences. With his witty, unmotivated attitude, he ventures into the kind of territory that anyone who lacks a quirky sense of humor may not follow. He’s not lazy, but there’s something about this bearded fella that will resonate with slackers. Whether he’s talking about his experiences at Trader Joe’s, growing up in suburbia and/or living alone, Kinane mixes in his own commentary and turns a simple observation into a humorous, cynical tongue-lashing of sorts.
$15
900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite B3
Uptown
980-321-4702Altered
Through June 21Visual Arts
Having opened to the public on Earth Day, the Altered exhibit at Cornelius Arts Center up in Lake Norman features what you could call sustainable art. Four artists — Andrea Vail, Jessica Naples, Amy Bagwell and Laurie Schorr — have used found and/or discarded objects to create the works on showcase. As upcycling’s popularity grows, we’re reminded of the power that items of the past possess. The reception for the exhibit is slated to go down during ’Tawba Walk, an art crawl with entertainment.
Free admission
The Pajama Game
Thu., June 20, 8 p.m., Fri., June 21, 8 p.m., Sat., June 22, 8 p.m., Sun., June 23, 2 p.m., Thu., June 27, 8 p.m., Fri., June 28, 8 p.m. and Sat., June 29, 2 & 8 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
A seven-and-a-half-cent raise? This is what the protagonist of 1950s-set The Pajama Game pitches a fit for. The Tony Award-winning musical comedy is set in a PJ factory, where labor activist Babe Williams is fighting for a higher income. But in the midst of his demands, he seems to be getting cozy with Sid, the new superintendent. This has workplace drama written all over it.
$12-$24
Frankenstein
Wed., June 19, 7:30 p.m., Thu., June 20, 7:30 p.m., Fri., June 21, 8 p.m. and Sat., June 22, 8 p.m.Theater/Dance/Performance Art
Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, Mary Shelley’s classic sci-fi gothic, is usually unrecognizable when adapted to another medium. So calm your excitement if you’re expecting Shakespeare Carolina’s upcoming Frankenstein to be true to the original 1818 novel. On the other hand, the new adaptation by Conrad Bishop and Elizabeth Fuller doesn’t try to deliver anything like the old-timey Hollywood scarefest. Science has marched far closer to achieving synthetic creature creation — and conquering death — since Boris Karloff was hunted down with pitchforks. Chris O’Neill, S. Wilson Lee, and Katie Bearden star in a millennial version distilled for three players, with fresh imagery by Jon Pritchard and original music by the Clamor Sound Collective.
$10-$15; Pay what you can on June 16 at 3 p.m.
Carolina's Got Art
Through July 27Visual Arts
Just because you live in NoDa doesn’t mean you support the arts scene. That’s because to really support the Carolina arts scene you’d have to venture outside of the Q.C. to spot the works of other artists who are doing things with canvas, ceramics or whatever other mediums they fancy. That’s where the folks behind Carolina’s Got Art comes in. Created in 2009 by Elder Gallery owner Larry Elder, CGA rounds up artists, both professional and non, from North and South Carolina for a competition and exhibition that brings their works into the public eye — and to Charlotte, where they showcase at Elder Gallery. This year, more than 1,000 artists submitted 2,800 different pieces of work, which is more than the gallery has room for. Not to worry, the entries are all being shown in three different exhibitions of work. Two exhibits, June 7-29 and July 5-27. For more information, visit www.carolinasgotart.com.
Free admission
Summer Solo Exhibits
Through Aug. 31Visual Arts
The new and improved Hidell Brooks Gallery just closed its 15 Year Anniversary Group show and is keeping the space occupied with three solo exhibits for the summer. Still-life paintings by artist Benjamin Shamback reflect natural items like flowers and shells, while Tony Hernandez creates carefree encaustic paintings out of oil pigments on birch panel with layers of beeswax and damar resin melted together. Also included are surreal landscape paintings by artist Ron Porter, who adds in unlikely elements, like big rig trucks.
Free admission
The Verdict
Sat., June 22, 2 p.m.Film
Paul Newman delivers one of the finest performances of his lengthy career in this absorbing drama directed by Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, 12 Angry Men). Working from David Mamet’s lean script (adapted from Barry Reed’s novel), Newman stars as a boozy lawyer struggling down the comeback trail via a medical malpractice suit. No one gives him a shot at winning, especially against a polished opposing attorney (James Mason), which means he also has crippling self-doubt as one of the challenges placed before him. This was nominated for five major Oscars: Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor (Mason), Director and Adapted Screenplay. And yes, the long-standing trivial tidbit is accurate: That is indeed a 20-something, pre-Moonlighting Bruce Willis as an extra in the final courtroom scene. This will be shown as part of the Main Library series Order in the Court: Seven Classic Courtroom Movies.
Free admission
Ida Kohlmeyer and Romare Bearden
Through July 27Visual Arts
One of the South’s finest abstract expressionist artists, New Orleans-native Ida Kohlmeyer’s works merit a trip to Jerald Melberg Gallery. The solo exhibition is comprised of paintings, limited edition prints and small sculptures. Kohlmeyer, who uses vibrant colors to dramatize her geometric shapes and shifting symbols, was influenced by abstract greats Hans Hofmann and Mark Rothko. In honor of Charlotte’s new Romare Bearden Park, there will also be a small exhibit of Romare Bearden’s St. Maarten watercolors.
Free admission
F.O.O.D. (Food, Objects, Objectives, Design)
Through July 7Visual Arts
In recent years, objects used for eating and drinking have taken interesting new turns — rubber ducky tea infusers are plenty proof of that! Mint Museum Uptown's newest exhibit F.O.O.D (Food, Objects, Objectives, Design) takes this concept a step further by showcasing innovative objects that are used to prepare, cook or present food. Antoni Miralda, an artist from Spain, curates the exhibit with products showcased from Alessi and black+blum. The exhibit is comprised of appliances and devices spread out among four categories: table, kitchen, pantry and garden. While you're there, be sure to check out two other new exhibits, Sociales: Debora Arango Arrives Today and Return to the Sea: Saltworks by Motoi Yamamoto.
$5-$10
