Center Stage Theatre new season to begin with 'Into the Woods'
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on September 11, 2016 1:45 AM
A strange take on fairy tales, a dog's love and an old scrooge -- all of this will be part of Center Stage Theatre's new season of shows.
"We've got some awesome shows this year," said CST president Cathy Woods, "including three Tony Award winners."
This is CST's 39th year. Next year, there will be a big celebration for its 40th year.
Here's what's planned for this season:
* "Into the Woods" will be Sept. 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $15 to $18. Michael Manning is the director.
The story follows a baker and his wife, who want to have a child, Cinderella, who wants to attend the king's festival and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk.
"We have done it in the past," Ms. Woods said. "The first year we did it, a lot of people hadn't heard of it and didn't know a lot about it. When the movie came out, we thought this was the time to jump on it."
* "Sylvia" will be Oct. 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Wayne County Museum. Tickets are $10. Director is John Gillis.
The play centers around Greg and Kate, who moved to Manhattan after 22 years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg brings home a dog, Sylvia, who to Kate, becomes a rival for Greg's affections.
* "A Christmas Carol" will be Dec. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $15 to $18. Director is Steven Langston.
Since 2008, Center Stage Theatre has been performing this holiday classic, which has become a downtown Goldsboro tradition. It revolves around Scrooge's astonishing personal transformation from "bah humbug" to "Merry Christmas." It was written by a CST member.
"This is our ninth year of doing 'A Christmas Carol,'" Ms. Woods said. "It's a classic show for the Christmas season."
* Lend Me a Tenor" will be Feb. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $13 to $15. Director is Keith Parrish.
The general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company is ready to welcome Tito Morelli, the greatest tenor of his generation, for one night. The star arrives late and through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers, making the manager think he's dead.
* "Bye Bye Birdie" will be April 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. and April 30 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $15 to $18. Director is Sandra Evans.
The musical is about Conrad Birdie, an Elvis Presley-type rock and roll singer, who is about to be inducted into the Army. Conrad's agent concocts one final publicity stunt -- Conrad will bid a typical teenage girl good-bye with an all-American kiss.
* "Local Playwright One-Act Festival" will be June 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and June 11 at 3 p.m. at the Wayne County Museum. Tickets are $5.
It gives local writers the opportunity to see their original works performed in a theater setting.
Season tickets are $48 for adults and $45 for seniors 55 and older, military, students and children. Tickets are available through the Paramount box office, by calling 919-583-8432 or online at www.goldsboroparamount.com.
In conjunction with the shows, members of Center Stage Theatre also hold fundraisers and do charity work.
"Last year at 'A Christmas Carol,' we collected toys and canned goods for WAGES families," Ms. Woods said. "One year we did shoes for local schools during 'Cinderella.' We'd like to do a few more things as time goes on. I'd love to do a USO show and have that money go toward Wounded Warrior Project, this being a military town."
CST will have a booth at Beak Week and members will dress in costume for "Into the Woods."
Uniquely R's downtown has a display for "Into the Woods" in its window and is also putting some of the costumes in its window.
Ticket for CST shows are available at the Paramount box office, by calling 919-583-8432 or online at www.goldsboroparamount.com.