Kahlil Ashanti is one tough cookie, so to speak. Of course, I’m basing this off of his one-man act, titled Basic Training, which visited Charlotte last year during its first national tour. The show is based off of true events from Ashanti’s life, including his army experiences — most notably with a hardcore drill sergeant, his hard work in becoming a member of the U.S. Air Force’s entertainment troupe Tops in Blue, and his own personal journey into finding himself and his biological father. Ashanti uses quick wit and pure talent, as he portrays 23 different characters — and I mean characters. Show contains adult language and content. $24.50 and up. Oct. 21-22, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 23-24, 8 p.m.; Oct. 25, 3 p.m. Stage Door Theater, corner of 5th Street and College Street. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2009.
