HAMLET – Columbia City Ballet returns Feb. 5 to the Cole Auditorium to present a world premier ballet based on one of the most iconic bands of all time, the Beatles.
Headlining the 2018-19 DeWitt Performing Arts Series, “Beatles: The Ballet” is an exciting new multi-media ballet that explores the Fab-Four and their impact on our culture. See how these dynamic young men helped fuel the cultural revolution of the 1960s in America and masterfully used their music to elevate social consciousness. Featuring more than 35 songs and conceived of by William Starrett, executive and artistic director of Columbia City Ballet, the ballet will include works by multiple choreographers, all under the artistic direction of Starrett.
Starrett was inspired to create the ballet through reflection upon the wide variety of music the group recorded in such a relatively short span of time. In addition, further inspiration arose from the fact that many of the issues the Beatles addressed in their work, continue to be current topics in today’s national conversation. Always searching for ways to broaden the ballet audience while keeping the art current, Starrett feels the inspiration and influence the Beatles continue to have on subsequent generations is the perfect catalyst for inspiring a new generation of audience members.
“Once again we are delivering a great mix of shows and performances at the Cole Auditorium for this season’s DeWitt Series,” Cole Auditorium Director Joey Bennett said. “We are excited to have the Columbia City Ballet back on our stage, because it offers southeastern audiences the highest quality ballet and includes dancers with some of the finest professional dance training. ‘Beatles, the Ballet’ is guaranteed to be an exciting and memorable production.”
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Cole, which is located on the main campus of Richmond Community College in Hamlet.
‘Catapult’ into the Show Series
A shadow dance company named Catapult will kick off the DeWitt Series with a transforming show on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Some may recognize this troupe’s name, as they made it all the way to the finals on Season 8 of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Catapult is all about the human body and its ability to transform. The talented Catapult dancers work behind a screen to create seemingly impossible dancing shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us.
Not only is the show packed with hundreds of shape transformations, but it is also full of humor, emotion and engaging stories. Catapult’s “Magic Shadows” includes eight stories told through music and shadows and six short shadow dance videos.
Rudolph Is Coming to Town
The beloved TV classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” soars off the screen and onto the Cole stage on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. in this holiday musical. A Christmas classic for those of every age, all the favorite characters from the special, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, come to life in “Rudolph: The Musical.”
With the TV special having debuted in 1964 and playing every year since, this is a holiday tradition that will be enjoyed by young and old alike. Projections, costumes and characters are faithfully brought to the stage against a backdrop of nostalgic set designs. The 12-foot-plus-tall Abominable Snow Monster is jaw-dropping. The cast brings high energy to classic songs and dialogue, while irresistible and loveable puppets highlight the charming “roughness” from the television show’s stop-motion effects.
Motown Party in 2019
Music fans are invited to the biggest party of 2019 as the unstoppable “Magic of Motown” show steams into the Cole Auditorium on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. This show celebrates the sound of a generation as the timeless music of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more are sensationally recreated for you by an exceptionally talented cast and band.
The show features 40 classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in an explosive concert experience. Go on a musical journey through all your favorite songs, including “Ain’t No Mountain,” “Signed Sealed Delivered,” “Grapevine,” “Get Ready,” “Dancing In The Streets,” “My Girl”, “Endless Love,” “All Night Long,” “Heatwave” and many more.
Get Your ‘Hot Ticket’ to Broadway
Broadway enthusiasts are invited to take a fascinating and unforgettable journey through the greatest Broadway shows, past and present, on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cole. “Broadway Tonite” is a fascinating, high-octane musical revue that is more than a musical snapshot of the Great White Way. It is a production designed to provide a “hot ticket” to all of the music, fun and excitement from the best Broadway has to offer.
The performers, which have starred in both national and international touring Broadway shows, will sing and dance their way into your hearts with the timeless songs you know and love, expertly choreographed. Sing along with all-time favorites from Oklahoma, Anything Goes, West Side Story, Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, Beautiful, A Chorus Line, Phantom Of The Opera, Rent, Wicked, 42nd Street, Chicago and many more.
It’s a Family Tradition
Cole patrons may remember Leahy, the Canadian Celtic group, which performed as a part of the 2008-2009 DeWitt Series. The adults in that group have passed the musician baton (as well as the talent and love for music) to a new generation of performers who are coming to the Cole on April 11 at 7:30 p.m.
“Next Generation Leahy” builds on more than three generations of musicianship as the six Leahy children, ranging in age from 8 to 16, are keeping the family tradition alive through music, song and dance. From the youngest to the oldest, they are not only successfully upholding, but also contributing to the Leahy family legacy created by the generations that preceded them.
Their show will be filled with the high-energy, infectious Celtic-based music. Fiddle, cello, French accordion, vocals, piano, and French-Canadian step-dancing all find a voice on stage.
Ticket Information
Season ticket holders from 2017-2018 are being given first opportunity to renew the seats they had for the past season. Ticket renewal packets will be mailed out soon, followed by an automated phone call to ticket holders from last season. Cole staff members are currently taking requests from those interested in purchasing season tickets who didn’t purchase last year. Those requests are fulfilled in the order in which they are received.
“There are season tickets available for the general public, even if you didn’t purchase last year or haven’t purchased in the past, so don’t think that we are sold out,” Bennett said.
Season ticket prices range from $125 to $175, depending on seating section, and includes reserved-seating tickets for all six shows. Although individual show tickets may be available, purchasing season tickets affords patrons a large cost savings and guarantees seats for the shows.
Individual ticket prices range from $35 to $50, depending on seating section.
Cole Auditorium staff will be offering patrons who purchase season tickets the opportunity to join The Director’s Circle. This optional membership-giving program supports the RichmondCC Foundation and offers special privileges for members, including a reception before each show and the possibility to meet and greet performers. A full season brochure can be viewed on the auditorium’s website at www.richmondcc.edu/cole-auditorium.
The box office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also call the box office at (910) 410-1691. Information is also available on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Editor’s note: It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format, as it was received, with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.
