who: Immediate Theatre Project presents The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me ...
what: A one-man play about growing up gay in America
where: NC Stage Company
when: Through Sunday, May 11 ($15-$20. http://www.ncstage.org or 350-9090)
why: The Immediate Theatre Project has already earned high marks from local theater patrons from their productions of the high-concept (and post-mortem) atomic-bomb drama Copenhagen and their co-production (with NC Stage) of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. This fast-paced and unflinching one-man comedic show about being gay in contemporary America might just be their biggest challenge to date
who: The Philadelphia Story
what: Fast-paced witty play
where: Asheville Community Theatre
when: Through Sunday, May 18 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. $22, $19 students, $12 children. http://www.ashevilletheatre.org or 254-1320)
why: On the eve of wealthy Tracy’s marriage to George, two high-profile acquaintances go missing. In the ensuing confusion, two more marriage proposals surface and Tracy has some serious 11th hour decisions to make. The original show premiered on Broadway in 1939; Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart stared in the first big-screen adaptation. After 70 years this play has earned its classic status.
who: Archiglas
what: A five-piece Russian a cappella ensemble
where: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
when: Thursday, May 8 (7 p.m. Free, but donations welcome. http://www.archiglas.com or 253-0043)
why: Hailing from St. Petersburg, the Archiglas, which translates to “outstanding voice,” will perform a concert featuring sacred pieces by Russian composers and a variety of Russian folk music. Directed by Dimitry Vorobjev, the ensemble’s sound is said to resonate with the “brilliant force of a full choir.”
who: Bambu Station
what: A “heavy and captivating” night of reggae
where: Grey Eagle
when: Saturday, May 10 (10 p.m. $14. http://www.thegreyeagle.com or 232-5800)
why: With more than a decade of music-making behind them, Bambu Station creates spiritually infused roots-reggae that’s captivated audiences across the globe (as well as WNC’s own Lake Eden Arts Festival, where they’ll also be performing this week). Bambu Stations will be performing with Reggae Infinity and the trip-hop and dub group Deep Roots Soundsystem.
who: Flat Rock Playhouse presents Dames at Sea
what: A 1930s-style musical that will carry you across the sea
where: Flat Rock Playhouse
when: Through Sunday, May 18 ($34, discounts available. http://www.flatrockplayhouse.org or 693-0731)
why: Featuring tap-dancing gals and seafairing guys, this family-friendly musical follows the adventures of an all-American girl on a search for glamour and love in New York City. Can the would-be Broadway star tap her way to success and win over her sailor-boy? (Hint: It’s a musical; a good song and dance will fix most any problem.)
who: Titillation, Torch and Tantrums
what: Female-fronted rockers take the stage
where: Garage at Biltmore
when: Thursday, May 8 (8:30 p.m. $7. http://www.thegarageatbiltmore.com or 505-2663)
why: Fusing blues, jazz and alt-country rock, The Leigh Glass Band (pictured) creates a sexy, energetic sound described as both “soul-stirring and ass-shaking.” They will be performing with local songbird Nikki Tally and the bluesy soul of Peggy Ratusz & Daddy Longlegs.
