Two news show from Opera House Theatre Company — one a musical revue of familiar pop hits, the other an original Southern comedy — lead the weekend’s entertainment options, which also include music and an excellent showcase of local stand-up comics.
This time last year, it was pretty common to read speculation about what kinds of art might emerge from the pandemic lockdown.
One example we can now point to is “The Thursday Night Bridge Circle,” an original Southern comedy by Ray Kennedy, who’s been directing shows for Wilmington’s Opera House Theatre Company for a couple of decades. The play has a sold-out opening night on July 8 at North Front Theatre, and continues its run there through July 18.
Kennedy, who’s mostly been known as a director of flashy musicals, and who for years booked entertainment for cruise ships, said he was inspired to write his first play after “the world shut down” last year.
With time on his hands, Kennedy’s thoughts turned to his upbringing in the small North Carolina town where he grew up, and the weekly gathering of women who benevolently manipulated the affairs of the people who lived there. (Kennedy said he’s convinced that he wound up going to the University of North Carolina Greensboro because that’s where the gathering of women his play is based on decided he should go.)
The play also delves into the entrenched racism that was common in the South at the time.
Kennedy has assembled an all-star cast of 11 women, including Wilmington actresses Heather Setzler, Suellen Yates and Beth Crookham. He’s also called in favors from the likes of renowned New York City interior designer Marshall Watson, who started his career as a set designer and created the 1970s Southern living room where the play is set.
Kennedy said he’s always been inspired by strong women, starting with his mother and sister, and in some ways “The Thursday Night Bridge Circle” is a tribute to their influence. And there’s more where this came from: Kennedy said he’s already written a second play.
Details: 7 p.m. July 8-10 and 15-17, 3 p.m. July 11 and 18 at North Front Theatre, 21 N. Front St., fifth floor, Wilmington. $30. OperaHouseTheatreCompany.org
After a performance this spring outside of Thalian Hall, Opera House Theatre Co. brings the pop musical revue “Legends Live On!” back to the stage. This time it will be an indoor performance at Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center.
The show features arrangements of pop hits from yesteryear (The Beatles) and more recent times (Bruno Mars), as well as R&B classics from acts like The Four Seasons and soul staples from Earth, Wind & Fire and other groups.
It’s a cast of heavy hitters, starting with Wilmington native Tracy Byrd, a longtime Opera House performer who was also on the Broadway tour of “Motown: The Musical.” DeAundre Woods played the title role in the Broadway tour of “Hamilton,” and Justin Reynolds has played Smokey Robinson in two different Broadway touring shows (“Motown: The Musical” and “Pride & Joy: The Marvin Gaye Musical”).
Alex Hairston played Donna Summer in the national tour of “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” and has appeared on Broadway in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” Matt Manuel has performed on Broadway in “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,” a show he’ll return to New York to perform in this October.
The four male cast members of “Legends Live On!” also form a singing group called Legacy.
Details: 7:30 p.m. July 9-10, 3 p.m. July 11 at the CFCC Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St., Wilmington. $23.75-$43.25, $75-$100 for VIP cabaret seats and opera box seats. 910-362-7999 or WilsonCenterTickets.com
Some of the best Wilmington comics working today will be part of this packed showcase at the Brewer’s Kettle hosted by Ellie Coleman.
The lineup includes the smart, sexy stylings of Bridget Callahan; true confessions of former grocery store barista Matt Coghlan; a recounting of awkward interactions by Julia Desmond; self-deprecation spiced with the occasional rant from Lew Morgante; and the deep, hilarious darkness of Jack Nelson.
Details: 8 p.m. July 9 at The Brewer’s Kettle, 4718 Oleander Drive, Wilmington. $5 at the door.
Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, the married couple who make up the North Carolina Americana duo Watchhouse, formerly known as Mandolin Orange, have been playing Wilmington since not long after they formed a dozen years ago.
More:Mandolin Orange brings sweet blend of country, bluegrass and folk to Greenfield Lake
Starting with small-scale club shows, they grew a national profile around the middle of last decade and graduated to headlining Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, where they’ll return for a two-night stand this weekend. “Watchhouse,” the band’s self-titled debut under their new name, is set for release on Aug. 13.
It’ll be their first local show since changing their name from the jam-band-redolent Mandolin Orange to the more stark and mysterious moniker of Watchhouse, which is more reflective of their deeply considered, almost meditative songs about life and love and relationships and all of their joys and failings.
Details: 6 p.m. gates, 7 p.m. show at the Hugh Morton/Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, 1941 Amphitheater Drive, Wilmington. $40 in advance, $50 day of show. GreenfieldLakeAmphitheater.com
Wilmington musician Randy McQuay has been at it for a long time, playing in local soul, rock and blues bands and carving out a career as a well-respected singer and songwriter.
McQuay is an excellent blues guitar picker, augmenting his sound with harmonica riffs and delivering a mix of blues standards and heartfelt, storytelling originals. Catch him in the laid-back environs of Waterline Brewing on Saturday evening.
Details: 7-9 p.m. July 11 at Waterline Brewing, 721 Surry St., Wilmington. WaterlineBrewing.com
Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.
