Opening Week Quiz!!!

Hey folks! The Glass Menagerie opens this week, so it's time to decide when to see this sure-to-be excellent production. If you happen to be a slightly indecisive person like me, there's hope - I've created a helpful little quiz to decide for you!

Don't know which event of Opening Week to attend? 

Take this quiz to find out which night fits you best! 
Enjoy...

1. When you plan an evening out, you get most excited when:

      A. ... you get a great bargain while doing something you love.

      B. ... it's an extension of your post-workday festivities.

      C. ... there's stimulating conversation that plumbs the depths of your curiosity.

      D. ... you're celebrating something with friends - birthdays, the weekend, whatever!

2. When you pick up the Mountain Xpress, the first section you look at is:

      A. Freewill Astrology

      B. Food

      C. Commentary

      D. Conscious Party

3. Which famous movie quote fits you best?

      A. "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."

      B. "As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again."

      C. "You ain't heard nothin' yet."

      D. "Hello gorgeous."

4. Of the choices below, what type of animal would you choose?
      A. Badger
      B. Squirrel
      C. Meerkat
      D. Penguin

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Answer time!
If you had mostly A's...
You should attend Pay What You Can Night on Wednesday, June 1!  The minimum ticket price is $6.  How are we able to do it?  Check out this old blog entry for PWYC FAQ.  For tickets to this night's performance, you should call the NC Stage box office at 828.239.0263.  

If you had mostly B's...
You should attend Happy Hour and a Half on Thursday, June 2!  Right when our box office opens at 6 PM, you're welcome to enjoy the delicious (and complimentary) food from the Colorful Palate Catering.  Beverages (beer and wine) from our concessions are also complimentary up until showtime. 
 
If you had mostly C's...
You should attend Friday Night Insight on Friday, June 3!  We love hearing from folks who've seen the show and thought a lot about it, and this is your opportunity to think out loud and ask questions of the director and cast.  Stick around after the show for insight and discussion about the production.
 
If you had mostly D's...
You should attend the Opening Night Gala on Saturday, June 4!  Yes, all of our opening week events are in celebration of finally having an audience to perform for, but Saturday's the official opening performance.  Join us in the lobby after the show to meet the cast, sip some Champagne, and celebrate the production with us.

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If you've decided, now it's time to actually get those tickets.  You can purchase them online, over the phone (828.239.0263), or in person at the NC Stage box office Monday - Friday, 10 AM-5 PM.  

We look forward to hearing from (and seeing) you soon!

Goings-on at NC Stage

Wow! It's May already? Amazing. 

Time just keeps blowing by around this place with everything going on. 

It's hard to believe that in exactly four weeks, The Glass Menagerie opens! That's right, our final Mainstage production of the 2010-2011 season is quickly approaching.  It's actually a co-production with the Immediate Theatre Project, and we're excited about it.  It runs June 1-19, so Pay-What-You-Can Night is the first performance -- Wednesday, June 1.  Wondering about how PWYC Night works?  One of our older posts from the blog really breaks it down for you, so be sure to check that out. 

Tickets went on sale to the public on Monday, and this Sunday, May 8, Mother's Day, we have our (For)Play Reading of The Glass Menagerie.  If you've never been to a (For)Play Reading before, you're missing out.  You get to hear the actors do a read-through of the play before rehearsals actually start. If you enjoy watching the artistic process unfold, we encourage you to come to this initial reading and then buy a ticket to see the fully realized production.  For an even more in-depth look, buy a copy of the script at Malaprop's Bookstore, which is stocking all of NC Stage's plays this season.  Plus, since it's a holiday and all, we're making this (For)Play extra special and bringing you free coffee and baked goods! 

Also, as this week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, we've announced that teachers get free tickets to see this production of The Glass Menagerie for the first week of the run.  "[It's] a gesture of gratitude to the hard work of teachers in the community and a celebration of the end of the school year.  Equally important, this is a relatively rare opportunity for area teachers and students to see a live, professional production of a play that is often taught in schools."  Are you a teacher or have friends who are?  Please, pass the word along to them!

So what else? In case you haven't heard, Sugar Shack Burlesque is performing one night only at NC Stage tomorrow, Thursday, May 5.  I'm pretty sure that with all the buzz in the paper lately, it's going to fill up quickly. 

 

Then next weekend, May 12-14, we have our second to last (penultimate... I like that word) Catalyst Series production of the season as well.  It's a one-man show called Rattlesnake, and it's written and performed by John Hardy, acclaimed actor and director from the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia.  Want to see a glimpse of it?  Check out the video below!

Also coming up, we have the final performance of our students, both youth and adults, in our Acting Intensives who have taken classes with Michael MacCauley for twelve weeks this spring.  That performance is Sunday, May 15 at 7 PM at NC Stage, and it's free!... though we welcome any donations, as they go towards supporting NC Stage's Education Program offerings including in-school residencies, after-school programs, outreach to local schools and colleges, and acting classes.

Whew!  Well, we hope to see you in the coming days and weeks around these parts.  And if somehow we miss you in May, we'll surely see you in June when The Glass Menagerie opens. Until next time... 

Pay-What-You-Can Night: February 16th!

Amazingly, we still have some tickets available for Boeing-Boeing's Pay-What-You-Can Night Wednesday, February 16th. Sometimes folks don't call for tickets because they think the performance is full, or that they don't qualify - not true! You can still get tickets, but don't wait too long!

For fun, here's a little FAQ about our Pay-What-You-Can Nights, which we've been doing since our very first performance in 2002.

Q: Can I really pay what I want? What's the catch?
A: Well, there is a $6 minimum, but other than that, you truly can pay what you can afford. It's an honor system. We don't even ask for your tax return!

Q: How can you possibly afford to give out $6 tickets?
A: We do take a big hit on Pay-What-You-Can Nights, but we're able to subsidize the costs because we're a non-profit and we have a loyal group of supporters. Our individual donors and business sponsors make it possible, so if you see a name in the playbill that you recognize, please thank them for making theatre affordable for our community!



Q: How do I know when you're going to have a Pay-What-You-Can Night?
A: For Mainstage productions, Pay-What-You-Can Night is always the first Wednesday of the run. Sometimes the companies we host through our Catalyst Series also choose to do a Pay-What-You-Can Night. We'll always post the information on our website and include it in our email newsletters.

Q: Wow, this is a really generous offer. How can I help support it?

A: Thanks, that's very kind of you! It costs about $1,000 to subsidize each Pay-What-You-Can Night. You could sponsor an individual Pay-What-You-Can performance for that amount and be recognized on all of our marketing and publicity. Or you can support NC Stage's annual fund with a gift of any amount. Contact our Development Director Barbara Benisch for more information.

Q: I heard you have to fight for a seat that night. What gives?
A: We've gotten much more efficient at seating over the years. Just call ahead to get your name is on the list, then pay for your tickets and choose your seats the night of the show. Our box office opens at 6:00pm, so the earlier you get here, the better choice of seats you get. Once you have your tickets, you can go have dinner, or make yourself comfortable in our lobby and enjoy our concessions until the show begins at 7:30pm. No need to elbow anyone for a seat.

Q: What if I forgot to call ahead - am I out of luck?
A: No! Make sure you get on the waiting list. Despite everyone's best intentions, there are always some cancellations and no-shows. If patrons haven't shown up by 10 minutes before curtain, we start offering tickets to the waiting list. You have to be here in person to get waiting list tickets, but isn't that worth it for a $6 ticket?

Q: How do I pay for my tickets?
A: We apologize for any inconvenience, but for maximum efficiency in the box office, we only accept cash, and we're not able to make change. There's is an ATM just two blocks from NC Stage, and our box office staff will be happy to give you directions.

Q: What about nickels, dimes and quarters?
A: We'll be honest, it's kind of a hassle for our box office staff. But it's legal tender, so we'll take it! We recommend counting the coins out ahead of time, or you may get some glares from the patrons in line behind you. (On the other hand, we do love dollar coins - they're so handy for getting out of the parking garage!)

For reservations, call (828) 239-0263

Pay-What-You-Can Night tickets begin at $6. Cash only, exact change only at the door. Reservations highly recommended. Tickets for other performances range from $16 - $28, with $10 student rush tickets available at 2:00pm the day of the show.

Read more about Boeing-Boeing here!

Any other questions, post below, or email us!