Kimilee Bryant, one of the stars of Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway at the Davis Theatre.
For the past few years, the Cabarrus Arts Council has been busily exapnding the arts and culture offerings in Historic Downtown Concord. Beginning with the renovation of the Historic Cabarrus County Courthouse, the addition of beautiful art galleries, and finally, the completion of the Davis Theatre, they have been creating more and more reasons for people to come to this burgeoning cultural district.
Now, as the inaugural season of performances in The Davis Theatre is rapidly approaching, the cast for the Broadway revue opening on September 14 is has been announced. Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway will be headlined by Broadway veterans with impressive credentials: roles such as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Christine and Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, which has played to rave reviews all over the country, recreates memorable moments from the finest shows of the century including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, CATS, Jesus Christ Superstar and Cabaret. The five stars are accompanied by an all-star New York band led by lyricist/composer Berg, who is currently writing the music for the Broadway-bound Grumpy Old Men.
The show will kick off the Cabarrus Arts Council”s first On Stage at the Davis performing arts series with two performances, a matinee at 3 p.m. and a black-tie optional Grand Opening with reception at 7:30 p.m. These performances are being underwritten by Roy and Sue Davis, for whom the Davis Theatre is named, enabling the arts council to offer tickets well below cost. Tickets are $27 for the matinee and $40 for the grand opening.
With just 231 seats, the state-of-the-art theatre created from the former courtroom upstairs in the historic courthouse will provide an intimate setting for professional touring productions such as this.
The first On Stage at the Davis season also will include It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play on November 17, Canadian jazz singer Kellylee Evans on February 12, a cappella group Chapter 6 on March 17 and comedienne and folk singer Christine Lavin on May 9.
The cast of 100 Years of Broadway includes:
Neil Berg is the composer/lyricist of the off-Broadway musical The Prince and the Pauper, which ran for two years at the Lamb’s Theater in New York City. The New York Times described it as “soaring on the wings of theatrical fun.” He is currently writing the music for the Broadway-bound musical Grumpy Old Men, based on the hit film.
Charles Bergell performed the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway. He appeared as Monsieur Andre in the second national tour of Phantom of the Opera directed by Harold Prince and was a member of the 20th anniversary tour of Evita.
Kimilee Bryant appeared on Broadway in The Pirate Queen covering the role of Elizabeth I. She was Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, in Switzerland and Toronto and on the United States tour. She recently played the diva Carlotta in Phantom on both Broadway and a national tour.
Carter Calvert won critical acclaim for her starring role on Broadway as Peggy Lee, Patsy Cline and Mae West in It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues. She toured Europe in Smokey Joe’s Café, played Grizabella in the national tour of CATS and appeared in the title role in Always, Patsy Cline.
Lawrence Clayton has appeared on Broadway in Bells Are Ringing, It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues, The Civil War, Once Upon a Mattress, High Rollers Pleasure Club and Dreamgirls. His most recent New York appearance was as Montel/Jesus in Jerry Springer the Opera at Carnegie Hall.
Danny Zolli is best known for his monumental number of performances as Jesus, Judas and Annas in more than 15 productions of Jesus Christ Superstar throughout the world. He will soon be releasing his second solo album, Sometimes Simple is Best.
Tickets for 100 Years of Broadway as well as the other four On Stage at the Davis shows may be purchased through the Davis Theatre box office Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 704-920-2753, or anytime online at http://cabarrusartscouncil.tix.com. For more information, call 704-920-2753 or visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org
