High Point Theatre Launches a Season of “Eclectricity”
Energy, excitement, ventures into the memory vault, tickling touches of hilarity and evenings of drama, music and dance are on tap for Triad residents in the High Point Theatre’s new season, Eclectricity. “This year, we’ve put together a fun and lively selection of performances in four widely divergent categories,” says High Point Theatre Director Louisa Hart. “Progressions brings some of today’s most creative jazz bands to town. Sidesplitters offers exceptional contemporary comedy. Flashbacks features some fantastic acts from days gone by, and Assortimento offers up some brilliant stage productions and variety acts.” It all starts on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m., as Acoustic Alchemy delights jazz lovers with a smooth sound that flows from laid back pop-soul to a lively and exotic Latin vibe. Next, the first sidesplitter of the season takes the stage on Friday, Oct. 22 in the person of Jon Reep, winner of season five of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” Jon’s quick-witted take on the differences between small town and big city lifestyles — as experienced in Hickory and his current hometown of Los Angeles — has generated guffaws in sold-out shows around the country. And to close out the opening month, the Irish National Dance Company flies in to wow the town with high-energy traditional dance and music, complete with gorgeous costumes, in their two-hour interpretation of the history of the Irish Celts, Rhythm of the Dance.November features a white-hot flashback to the bar band sounds of the early ’80s. Packing houses across the country, The Georgia Satellites crank out the blistering Southern rock that made them famous in their chart-crashing hits, “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and “Hippy Hippy Shake.” The Holiday comes with an encore of an old favorite for area audiences. On Tuesday, Dec. 21, It’s A Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre offers a heartwarming stage adaption of the great Frank Capra film, and adds a fresh twist — presenting the tale of George Bailey as a live 1940s-era radio show.
The chilly winds of winter blow in the great Brazilian-born jazz artist, Deodato, who is perhaps best known for his Grammy Award winning 1970s hit 2001: A Space Odyssey — a funky reinterpretation of a Richard Strauss classic. On Saturday, Jan. 29 he’ll treat Triad music aficionados to a varied selection of genrebending compositions that artfully counter-pose rock/pop, R&B/ funk, Brazilian/Latin and symphonic/orchestral sounds. Comedy comes to cheer the final weeks of winter on Saturday, Feb. 12 in a sidesplitting look at modern home life, as seen by Dr. Etta: Family Specialist. This new one-woman show by award-winning comedian Etta May, will move you from laughter to tears — and back again in this heartfelt but decidedly PG-13 performance.
March features two shows that are sure to be crowd pleasers. On Saturday, March 19 we flash all the way back to the 1960s to groove on the tunes of Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, the legendary pop band that outsold all other acts — including the Beatles — with faves such as “I’m Into Something Good,” Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am.” Just three days later, on Tuesday, March 22 In the Mood takes the stage for a 1940s music and dance revue that offers a rare chance to experience the swing, rhythm, romance and artistry of the big-band era.
The crazy relatives, overly sensitive parents, out-of-control environmentalists and other assorted loons of James Gregory’s wacky world are sure to give your funny bone a jolt on Saturday, April 19. Expressing his crazed whimsy with a rubber face and exaggerated body language, Gregory gives a truly unique “reflection of life seen from the front porch.” “Queen of Hearts,” “Angel of the Morning” and “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me” are just three of the well known hits brought to us by ’80s pop/country superstar Juice Newton. On Saturday, May 7, this Grammy Award winning artist brings all that and more to town for an emotional tour-de-force that’s acclaimed as one of the most riveting performances in music.
The season of Eclectricity closes on Saturday, May 21, with the soulful sax stylings of jazz maestro Boney James. Heralded by the Philadelphia Tribune as “an unbelievable technician” and “a tough act to follow,” James is considered a major force in both Contemporary Jazz and R&B. And it’s not just the critics who love him. To date, he’s sold more than three million albums and earned a string of 12 hit records, including eight trips to #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts.
“With 12 great acts, offering something for just about every taste, whim and inclination, this may be the most extensive and wide-ranging season we’ve ever produced,” concludes Hart. Tickets for each performance are easily available through our website, www.highpointtheatre.com, or at the box office. So, no matter what suits your fancy, we’re always ready to entertain.”
