Take your pick of stage shows in and around Davidson the next couple of weeks. Davidson Community Players are re-staging their fall production of “Almost, Maine” at Charlotte’s Spirit Square, with final performances this weekend. Meanwhile, Bailey Middle School seventh and eight graders will perform the hit musical “Grease” on Friday and Saturday, and tickets are a bargain-priced $2. And coming up next week, Davidson College theater department and Davidson Community Players’ Connie Co. children’s theater produce “Annavel & the Funny Little Man: A Rumpelstiltskin Tale” on the college campus.

Also, have any leftover lumber around for a set project?

‘GREASE’ AT BAILEY – ELECTRIFYIN’?

Sandy (Rebecca Kuzmanovich) and Danny (Tanner Colson) rehearse along with classmates for Bailey Middle School's "Grease."

Bailey Middle School students will perform the Tony Award-winning musical “Grease” Friday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m., in the school cafetorium, 11900 Bailey Road, Cornelius.

Admission is $2 at the door, and food will be available.

Set in 1958, “Grease” is the story of Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko, who meet during the summer. They don’t expect to see each other again. So when Sandy transfers to Rydell High, she’s surprised to find Danny isn’t exactly the guy she had met. With Rizzo and the Pink Ladies coaching the wholesome Sandy, and Kenickie and the other Burger Palace Boys razzing Danny, this fun musical includes the hit songs “Summer Nights,” “We Go Together” and “Greased Lightnin’.”

‘ALMOST MAINE’ IN CHARLOTTE

If you missed Davidson Community Players’ ^[1] production of the romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” last October, you’ll have another chance this weekend as a re-staging of the show continues at Spirit Square in Charlotte.

Performances are Jan. 15 & 16, 8 p.m., and Jan. 17 at 2 pm. in the Duke Energy Theater.

Isaac Josephthal and Kathryn Jeffords in "Almost, Maine." (Cindy Rice photo)

“Almost, Maine” is directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge. It follows the stories of 9 couples on a hopeful, heartbreaking, and hilarious journey through the mythical town of Almost, Maine.

Taking place on a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in Almost. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

Tickets are $18 to $20. This weekend, Spirit Square offers “Walk Up Special” tickets at the box office 2 hours before each show. Call 704-348-5741 2 hours before curtain time. For advance reservations, call 704-372-1000 or go online to www.carolinatix.org ^[2].

Read Meg Kimmel’s Oct. 17 review of “Almost, Maine” on DavidsonNews.net, “You should visit ‘Almost, Maine.'” ^[3]

ANAVEL AND THE FUNNY LITTLE MAN

Here you go kids: Davidson Community Players’ Connie Co. and Davidson College Theatre Department Present “Annavel & the Funny Little Man: A Rumpelstiltskin Tale” next Friday, Jan. 22, through Sunday, Jan. 24, in the Rupert T. Barber Theatre at the college’s Cunningham Fine Arts Center, 310 N. Main St.

The story, a retelling by the late Rupert T. Barber Jr. of the Grimm Brothers’ classic tale, will delight families and children ages 4 and above.  The show contains elaborate costumes and surprising plot twists that will capture any child’s imagination.

The popular tale is being performed by Davidson College students and is directed by Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, artistic director of Davidson Community Players & the Connie Co.

Performances are Friday, Jan. 22, at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 24, at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.  Part of the proceeds will support the Constance Welsh Scholarship for graduate studies in children’s theatre, which honors the late founder of Davidson Community Players and The Rupert T. Barber, Jr. Scholarship.

Tickets are $7. Reservations are strongly encouraged, and may be made by calling Davidson Community Players at 704-892-7953.

AUDITIONS FOR GOSPEL SINGERS

Davidson Community Players seeks gospel singers for its March, 2010 production of the musical, Violet. Singers will form a gospel choir that will enhance the group numbers in the show.

There will be a light rehearsal period and the opportunity to sing in as many as 15 performances. Singers must be available in the February/March timeframe, but depending on availability, DCP will consider singers for one, two or all three weekends of the run.

Auditions will be held Tuesday, Jan. 26 starting at 7 p.m., at Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour Street, Davidson. Those interested in auditioning should prepare a portion of a folk, pop or gospel song. An accompanist will be provided. Groups welcomed!

If you are not available during this time, please call the Davidson Community players office at 704 892-7953 to make an alternate appointment.

One of the most acclaimed off-Broadway shows of the ’90s, “Violet” astounded critics and audiences with its powerful story, its energetic, toe-tapping Gospel, Rock, Country, and Rhythm and Blues score by Jeanine Tesori, and its well-crafted book and lyrics by Brian Crawley that are not afraid to deal with important, sensitive issues. Set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement, Violet follows the growth and enlightenment of a bitter young woman accidentally scarred by her father. In hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her, she embarks on a journey by bus from her sleepy North Carolina town to Oklahoma. Along the way, she meets a young black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider.

WANTED: LUMBER FOR THE STAGE

A request from Davidson Community Players: “We are looking for salvage lumber for the set for our production of ‘Violet.’ We need quite a bit actually – ideally a barn or shed or both that has collapsed that someone would like to have cleared. We will come take the lumber and we’ll dispose of whatever we don’t use.” If you can help, contact Melissa Ohlman-Roberge, ncmor@aol.com ^[4].

THEATER AND FILM

THURSDAY, TO SATURDAY, JAN. 14-16, 8 p.m., , SUNDAY, JAN. 17, 2 p.m., Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St., Charlotte – Davidson Community Players re-stage their recent production of “Almost, Maine,” about the residents of a mythical Maine town who find themselves falling in and out of love in unxpected and often hilarious ways. For information call: 704-892-7953 or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org ^[5].

FRIDAY, JAN. 15, 7 p.m., and SATURDAY, JAN. 16, 1 p.m., Bailey Middle School cafetorium, 11900 Bailey Road, Cornelius – Bailey 7th and 8th graders perform the Tony Award-winning musical “Grease.” Tickets $2 at the door. Food available.

JAN. 22, 23, 24, Barber Theatre, Cunningham Theatre Center, Davidson College. Davidson Community Players, the connie company and the Davidson College Department of Theatre present “Annavel & the Funny Little Man,” A Rumpelstiltskin Tale. Performances Friday, Jan. 22, at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 24, at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.  For tickets call Davidson Community Players at 704-892-7953.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 7 p.m., St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane – Music at St. Alban’s series presents the classic Buster Keaton silent film, “The General,” with accompaniment by Charlotte-based ragtime pianist Ethan Uslan. Tickets available at the door or in advance by calling 704-941-0650. Box office hours: 9-4, Monday through Friday. General Admission: $15; students & seniors: $10; children under 10: free. More info at www.gostalbans.org/musicatstalbans.htm ^[6].

MARCH 23-28, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – The Davidson College Theatre Department’s 2009-10 Mainstage Series concludes with “Leading Ladies,” by Ken Ludwig, directed by theater professor Mark Sutch. Performances March 24-25 at 7:30 p.m., March 26-27 at 8 p.m., and March 28 at 2 p.m. Admission $15, seniors $11, faculty/staff $9, students $6. Details: 704-894-2135 or www.davidson.edu/tickets ^[7]