Julie (Maggie Birgel) talks to the nurse (Madison Rigger) in "Romeo and Juliet" at Davidson College. (Bill Giduz photo)

By KATIE LOVETT
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson College Theatre Department kicked off its 2011-2012 Mainstage Series this weekend with a rendition of “Romeo and Juliet.” A cast of 13 students, freshmen and seniors alike, ranging from biology to German majors, performed William Shakespeare’s famous work with intense energy, passion, and their own unique twist on a classic play.

Director Mark Sutch joined the Davidson faculty in 2006 after five years with the Rhode Island Trinity Repertory Co. Serving as the artistic associate and casting director, he directed productions of “Suddenly Last Summer” and “A Christmas Carol,” while also logging time on stage in “Peter Pan,” “The Henriad,” and “A Christmas Carol.” Since arriving at Davidson, Mr. Sutch has brought many exciting productions to Cunningham Theatre and Duke Family Performance Hall, including “Dark Ride,” “Women Beware Women,” “Hamlet,” “Leading Ladies,” and “Into the Woods.”

Maggie Birgel and Brandon Smalls star in "Romeo and Juliet" at Davidson College. (Bill Giduz photo)

Senior Brandon Smalls and sophomore Maggie Birgel star as Romeo and Juliet. Both are veterans of the theater department and have been involved in a wide variety of theatrical productions.

Smalls, a theater major from LaGrange, Ga., said he was “staggeringly excited” to be performing in his very first Shakespeare play. He has participated in more than six theater department plays, with his favorite roles being Sir William Lucas in ‘Pride & Prejudice,” Butch in “Leading Ladies,” and the Mouse and Dormouse in “Alice in Wonderland.”

Ms. Birgel, a fellow theater major from Warren, Pa., is well known on campus for her performance as Little Red Riding Hood in the spring 2011 performance of Into the Woods, for which she received a Metrolina Theatre Assocation (MTA) nomination. She also has taken on roles as Lydia Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice” and Lily/Sarah in “Women and Wallace.”

The supporting Romeo and Juliet cast fills the play with sword fights, fistfights, instrumental accompaniment, and Shakespearean puns galore, both on stage and in the aisles of Duke Family Performance Hall. Senior Ryan Chiles plays the impassioned Capulet Tybalt, who duels and murders the Montague Mercutio (sophomore Allen Rigby) in a blood-pumping sword fight scene. Set Designer Joe Gardner designed the stage to extend over the orchestra pit, bringing the violence, love, lust, and drama right out to the audience.

Romeo and Juliet at Davidson College. (Bill Giduz photo)

Other notable performances included Madison Rigger’s rendition of the Nurse. A senior biology major from Decatur, Ga., Ms. Rigger counts Romeo and Juliet as her third mainstage production at Davidson, having served in other vital roles such as Granny in “Into the Woods” and Mrs. Bennet in “Pride & Prejudice.” Her perfectly pitched humor never fails to earn laughter from the audience.

Parents attending the play may want to leave children at home with a babysitter. The climactic Romeo and Juliet love scene does feature mature content and a scanty level of clothing.

WANT TO GO?

Davidson College’s production of “Romeo & Juliet” continues Friday, Oct. 28, at 8:15 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. at Duke Family Performance Hall. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $11 for seniors, $9 for faculty/staff, and $6 for students. For more information please visit: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x44256.xml To buy tickets: http://www.davidson.edu/tickets

Death of Juliet, in Davidson College's "Romeo and Juliet." (Bill Giduz photo)

This weekend in and around Davidson brings a 1-year anniversary celebration at Discovery Place Kids’ in Huntersville, the opening of “Romeo and Juliet” at Davidson College, and a “Think Pink” fund-raising dog show in Davidson.

On Friday night, Discovery Place Kids holds its inaugural Can Can’s Masquerade Ball fundraiser, and Discovery Place Kids will have special activities for kids and their parents on Saturday and Sunday.

On Thursday, the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will hold its sixth-annual Public Safety Officers Luncheon, which honors officers from the Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Davidson College police departments, members from North Meck Rescue, area fire departments and Crime Stoppers.

The Davidson Community Players will wrap up its run of the play “Love Letters” this weekend, with performances Friday through Sunday at the Armour Street Theatre, while the Davidson College Theatre Department opens its run of “Romeo and Juliet” with shows on Friday through Sunday at the Duke Family Performance Hall.

Got a few dog lovers in the family? Check out the third-annual Think Pink Dog Show Saturday afternoon at the Davidson Village Green. The event, organized by middle school students Ally Miller and Christianna Brueggemann, benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

And let’s not forget several ongoing events — the Haunting Hayride at the Latta Equestrian Center in Huntersville on Friday and Saturday night, the Amazing Maize Maze continues its run at the Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville on Friday through Sunday, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival is open Saturday and Sunday at the festival grounds off N.C. 73.

These events and more below, or in our day-by-day calendar at right. Also, at right on this page, see our movie show times listings for Our Town Cinemas.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

Davidson Town Hall Photo Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Oct. 31, Davidson Town Hall rotunda, 216 S. Main St., Davidson. Group exhibit of photography and digital art by local artists Kevin Childress, Jan Black, Lyndsay Kibiloski, Rachel Goldstein, Steve Marsh and David Boraks on display in the Town Hall rotunda.

"Cloud Dome" by David Boraks is among the artworks on display at Davidson Town Hall this month.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

"The History of Cornelius: The Conard Collection" is on display at Cornelius Arts Center.

The History of Cornelius Exhibit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 17-Nov. 12, Cornelius Arts Center, Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Unit 1, Cornelius. The Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission and Cornelius Parks and Recreation Department present “The History of Cornelius: The Conard Collection” from Oct. 17-Nov. 12. An opening reception is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 20. View photos from the collection of local resident Jack Conard, whose personal interest in the history of Cornelius has led to the single-largest accumulation of photographs known to exist of the town. Information: Visit www.cornelius.org.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

The Haunting Hayride, 7 p.m.-midnight, Oct. 7-8, Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 27-29, Latta Equestrian Center at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6201 Sample Road, Huntersville. Park Avenue Properties and the Latta Equestrian Center present The Haunting Hayride, a Halloween-themed ride through the Equestrian Center’s wooded trails. A kid-friendly area is also on-site and includes a straw maze, pony rides, cow train and bonfire marshmallow roasting. Proceeds from the event benefit Kids Rein, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes the use of the horse for individuals with physical, emotional and learning disabilities. The hayride will run Friday and Saturday nights in October (except for Halloween week, when it will run Thursday-Saturday). Tickets: $10 adaults, $8 children age 12-under for the hayride; $3 for the straw maze and pony rides, $2 for cow train rides and $1 for marshmallow roasting in kid-friendly activities. For more information, visit www.HauntedTrailLKN.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Amazing Maize Maze, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Rural Hill farm, Neck Road, Huntersville – The Amazing Maize Maze is an outdoor challenge in a 7-acre cornfield. Find your way out by following clues and assembling pieces of a map puzzle. Open Fridays to Sundays through Nov. 13. Friday night flashlight mazes Sept. 30 to Nov. 4 (till 8:30 p.m.). Food and drink available. $10 for ages 13 and up, $7 for kids 5-12. Info: www.ruralhill.net.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Carolina Renaissance Festival, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Carolina Renaissance Festival grounds, on Poplar Tent Road just south of N.C. 73 – 18th Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival, with food; crafts; music, juggling and other circus entertainments; jousting demonstrations; fun rides and games of skill. Continues Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 20. Info: RenFestInfo.com, 704-896-5544, toll free 877-896-5544.

THURSDAY, OCT. 20

Dine Out for Books! All day Oct. 20, Zink American Kitchen, the Village at Southpark, 4310 Sharon Road, Charlotte. The Southpark-area restaurant will donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library system for books and materials. Special menu items and drinks will be available throughout the day, and evening diners (between 5:30-10 p.m.) can reserve a patio table for $25 to enjoy live music. Reservations can be made by calling 704-909-5500 or visiting www.harpersgroup.com.

Public Safety Officers Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 20, Havana Banquet and Ballroom, Kenton Place, Cornelius. The sixth-annual salute to North Mecklenburg public safety officers is being hosted by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. Officers from the Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Davidson College police departments, as well as members from North Meck Rescue, area fire departments and Crime Stoppers will be honored. Dr. Lili Johnson, associate dean of the CPCC’s Merancas Campus, will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $16 for Chamber members and $18 for non-members, and are available by calling 704-892-1922.

Mecklenburg County Library Board of Trustees, 12 p.m. Oct. 20, Main Library, third level, Dickson Board Room, 310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Monthly meeting of the Mecklenburg County Library Board of Trustees.

Lake Norman Chamber Business After Hours, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 20, Country Suites Lake Norman, 16617 Statesville Road, Huntersville. Monthly after-hours gathering for members of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce. Information: Call 704-895-1922.

Wellness Lecture Series, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20, McKinney Academy, 412 Armour St., Davidson. Come join us for an informative night as we conduct another “Ask the Expert” session at McKinney Academy. Three panel experts – a pediatrician, an optometrist and an educator will contribute their knowledge as it relates to reading and learning success. Audience members will learn about topics that affect= children’s concentration and learning such as nutrition, vision, vitamin deficiency, sleep disorders, allergies and ADHD. Parents will also take away reading tools and tips from an educator’s perspective and how to let go of control by embracing student choice, failure, and encouraging a “do it better than you have to attitude.” Open question and answer session will follow expert discussions. Admission is free and open to the public. Information: Visit the academy’s website at www.mckinneyacademy.com or call 704-895-9664.

Davidson College Faculty Recital, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. Pianist Cynthia Lawing performing a program of works by Armenian composers. Admission is free.

Summit Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m. Oct. 20, Summit Coffee, 128 S. Main St., Davidson. Performances by Rob McHale, Paul Finnican, Magdalena Daley and host Mike Alicke. Information: Call 704-895-9090.

Leaders of Lake Norman, 8-9:30 a.m. Oct. 20, The Peninsula Club, 19101 Peninsula Club Dr., Cornelius. The sixth-annual event of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and the area March of Dimes will honor Randy Marion, owner of Randy Marion Auto Group. Tickets: $100 individual, $1,000 for 10-person table. Reservations can be made online at www.marchofdimes.com, by calling 828-464-8905 or by email at ktocci@marchofdimes.com.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

Can Can’s Masquerade Ball, 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 21, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. Halloween fundraiser for Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, with activities for parents and children. Masks and costumes are welcome, but not required. Tickets are $50 for adults and children age 14-over, and $25 for children 13-under, and can be purchased online at www.discoveryplacekids.org, by calling 704-348-1994 or by email at allisonb@discoveryplace.org.

Hough High football vs. Lake Norman, 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Hough High School stadium, Cornelius. The Huskies host Lake Norman.

Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, 2 p.m. Oct. 23, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by the Davidson College Theatre Department as part of its Mainstage Series. Individual and season tickets available online at www.davidson.edu or by phone at 704-894-2135.

Love Letters, 8 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum. A character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers. Runs Oct. 6-23. Tickets $20. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

Discovery Place Kids Anniversary, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 22 and 12-5 p.m. Oct. 23, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. A weekend of activities for families and children have been planned to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Discovery Place Kids’ facility in Huntersville. From face painting and bubble blowing in the Learning Garden to birthday-themed activities throughout the museum and visits with mascot Can Can, this special First Birthday Weekend will feature pint-sized play and family fun. Tickets are $8 p er person, with children under age 1 and DPK members admitted free. Information: Call 704-372-6261 or email info@discoveryplacekids.org.

Healthy Living and Wellness Fair, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 22, Davidson Town Hall, Main Street, downtown Davidson. The fair will feature a variety of informational booths on health-related programs, services, and providers located in the area. Educational sessions and activities will also be held every 30 minutes. Details: 704-892-3349 Ext. 279.

Bicycle Safety Fair, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 22, Davidson United Methodist Church parking lot, 233 S. Main St., Davidson. The Davidson Police Department will host a bicycle safety program for children during the town’s Healthy Living and Wellness Fair.

Cornelius History Walk, 10 a.m., Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave., Cornelius – The Cornelius Historic Preservation Commission offers a guided walking tour, “South of Catawba.” The tour covers about 1 1/4 miles and lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Details on CorneliusNews.net, http://corneliusnews.net/blog/2011/10/17/take-a-walk-through-cornelius-history-sat/

Think Pink Dog Show, 1:45-4 p.m., Davidson Village Green, Concord Road and North Main Street, Davidson – third-annual Think Pink Dog Show, organized by local middle school students Ally Miller, Christianna Brueggemann and friends. Benefits Susan G. Komen Foundation. Enter your pets: $10 donation for first dog entered, $5 for siblings. Sponsor tents also open including PetCo, Red Mango, Carolina Springs Auto Spa and Impeccable Paws. Mutt Strutt Parade at 2:15 pm, judging for Best Trick, Best Costume, owner lookalike, and Best of Show. See “Think Pink Dog Show scheduled for this Saturday” on our Pets & Animals page.

Love Letters, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum. A character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers. Runs Oct. 6-23. Tickets $20. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

Sip and Shop Wine Tasting, 4-6 p.m. Oct. 22, Wooden Stone Gallery, 445 S. Main St., Suite 200, Davidson. Stop by and taste delicious wines and enjoy refreshments while you browse over 5,000 items from over 600 artists! We will provide appetizers such as local pepper jellies and a complimentary wine glass. Tickets are $8 per person, and can be purchased online at www.woodenstoneconsulting.com.

LKN Wildlife Festival, 5 p.m. Oct. 22, North Harbor Club, 100 N. Harbor Place, Davidson. The Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists will celebrate its Wild Over LKN Community Habitat Project during the festival. A representative from the National Wildlife Federation will present an award to LNWC officials to honor all that participated in the project. Tickets are $50 per person, which includes a gourmet dinner, wildlife program, music, dancing and an auction. Dinner items will be presented from multiple serving stations. A cash bar will also be available, and a shuttle board will also transport attendees who anchor their boats in the harbor for the event. Reservations are limited, and must be paid in advance. They can be made online at www.lakenormanwildlife.org, or by mailing a check to the LNWC at P.O. Box 4296, Mooresville, N.C. 28117. For more information, visit www.lakenormanwildlife.org, email info@lakenormanwildlife.org, or call 704-309-0762.

Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, 2 p.m. Oct. 23, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by the Davidson College Theatre Department as part of its Mainstage Series. Individual and season tickets available online at www.davidson.edu or by phone at 704-894-2135.

SUNDAY, OCT. 23

Discovery Place Kids Anniversary, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 22 and 12-5 p.m. Oct. 23, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. A weekend of activities for families and children have been planned to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of Discovery Place Kids’ facility in Huntersville. From face painting and bubble blowing in the Learning Garden to birthday-themed activities throughout the museum and visits with mascot Can Can, this special First Birthday Weekend will feature pint-sized play and family fun. Tickets are $8 p er person, with children under age 1 and DPK members admitted free. Information: Call 704-372-6261 or email info@discoveryplacekids.org.

Romeo and Juliet, 8 p.m. Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29, 2 p.m. Oct. 23, Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by the Davidson College Theatre Department as part of its Mainstage Series. Individual and season tickets available online at www.davidson.edu or by phone at 704-894-2135.

Love Letters, 2 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St., Davidson – Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters,” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum. A character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers. Runs Oct. 6-23. Tickets $20. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

Classical Indian Voice, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Center, Davidson College, Davidson. Performance by Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam. Tickets are $25 for the general public, admission is free for Davidson College students and Classical Music Association of Charlotte members. Information and tickets: www.davidson.edu

Davidson mayoral election forum, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Alvarez College Union – Candidate forum, featuring the two candidates for mayor of Davidson: incumbent John Woods and challenger Vince Winegardner. Sponsored by the Philosophy, Economics and Political Science departments as well as the Student Government Association. Free. See our Election 2011 page, “College forum pits Mayor Woods vs. challenger Winegardner.”

Cornelius Concert Series, 7 p.m. Oct. 23, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion St., Cornelius. Performances by Mt. Zion UMC’s The Men of Zion, The Disciples of Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church of Charlotte and newly-formed quartet Heaven’s Reign. All three groups will be conducted by Tom Schmutzler, CSCPC’s associate music director, accompanied by Sheila Fetner, director of music at CSCPC; Dr. Marcy Mittelstadt, director of music ministries at CSCPC; and by Woody Washam, lead accompanist at Mt. Zion UMC. Admission is free, but offerings will be accepted. Information: Visit www.mtzionumc.net.

HAVE NEWS?

To have your event listed in our calendars, please send to listings@davidsonnews.net. Our events calendars appear on both DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net.

Cat Rutledge and WFAE's Mike Collins star in "Love Letters" this weekend.

The Davidson College Theater Department this month presents a bigger, bolder version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Also in this column, Davidson Community Players’ “Love Letters” continues its run, and the Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius brings shows for all ages this fall, with another interactive murder mystery by About Town Tours and an engaging show for children three years and younger by Play Play!. See below for details.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE THEATRE DEPT. PRESENTS ROMEO AND JULIET

The Davidson College Theatre Department invites the public to a bold, original production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on the weekends of Oct. 22 and 29.

Performances will be in Duke Family Performance Hall Friday, Oct. 21. at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at 8:15 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. General admission is $15, $11 for seniors and $6 for students. Tickets can be purchased by calling 704-894-2135 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, or online at  www.davidson.edu/tickets. The play is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Director Mark Sutch, assistant professor of theatre, says Davidson’s production of the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers and the tragedies that befall them will stand out through its special attention to creative storytelling and non-traditional staging.

Maggie Birgel ’14 (Juliet) and Brandon Smalls ’12 (Romeo) will both tackle Shakespeare for the first time in this production and are excited to give these iconic characters their own unique spin.

“It’s a special challenge, since everyone already has an opinion of the story and text,” Birgel said in a statement. “But the most important thing is to avoid playing the stereotype and to make the story our own.”

Sutch added, “They both have a great understanding of how to relate to this story and live out these characters’ deepest wants and needs, which is the most crucial thing in any play.”

Sutch believes what makes Romeo and Juliet the most revered love story of all time has little to do with its historical setting. Therefore, the Davidson production will avoid all typically applied Shakespearean styles and mannerisms and focus purely on Shakespeare’s compelling text and beautiful story.  In doing so, the production will create a world for the play free from any time period, highlighting the stark contrast between Romeo and Juliet’s pure, organic love and the artificiality of world around them.

“What makes their instantaneous love so powerful? Love becomes their alternative to existing in a rigid, man-made world that’s far gone from our natural wants and impulses as human beings,” Sutch said. “They see a love in each other that provides freedom from the manufactured world, and they realize that this love is far more honest than anything they’ve ever known before.”

The production also will bring the audience face to face with this world through use of the physical set. Set designer Joe Gardner, professor of theatre, is eliminating the first few rows of seating in Duke Family Performance Hall to extend the stage beyond its normal boundaries. Multiple platforms and bridges will jut across the open pit and out into the audience. Sutch said the intention is to place the performance into the laps of the audience members, producing a greater sense of overall intimacy and connection. Guest artist lighting designer David Fillmore will use “larger than life” lighting to express the huge stakes and heavy emotions encompassed in scenes throughout the play.

The show also will feature numerous actors’ talents with musical instruments, and Sutch has built opportunities for live music to be played by actors in the show, rather than by using prerecorded sound cues.

Romeo and Juliet contains a large number of violent fight scenes that require preparation and practice. To master the art of stage combat, Sutch enlisted the professional help of Dale Girard, a fight instructor at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Smalls, who plays the role of Romeo, said, “We have to work diligently at making the combat look convincing while making it safe, especially since we will be working on the extended stage with rapiers that are potentially dangerous. The close proximity of the sword fights should be very exciting for audience members.”

In addition to the scheduled productions, the Theatre Department will introduce area youth to Romeo and Juliet during a special matinee performance specifically for middle and high school students. Some of the actors also will offer Shakespeare workshops in nearby schools so students can interact with the actors before they see the show.

In addition to Birgel and Smalls in the title roles, the Romeo and Juliet cast includes Davidson students Ryan Chiles, Kara Copeland, Dinah Decker, Audrey Gyurgyik, Benjamin Heimfeld, Christa Johnson, Amelia Lumpkin, Nick McGuire, Allen Rigby, Madison Rigger, and Chance Ruder.

SEE ‘LOVE LETTERS’ FOR DATE NIGHT

Davidson Community Players presents “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Wrenn Goodrum, through Oct. 23. The play is a character study based on the lifetime exchange of letters of two people who grow from friends into lovers.

The play is a unique and imaginative celebration of the often lost art of old-fashioned letter-writing and the power it has to connect us emotionally and spiritually. The story chronicles the lifetime exchange of letters between two people who begin as friends, but grow up to lead separate lives, all the while sharing confidences.

Characters Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III discuss the hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have passed between them throughout their lives. One important letter reveals how, while physically apart, Melissa and Andrew were as spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.

“Love Letters” is being directed by Wrenn Goodrum, who previously directed Davidson Community Players’ productions of “Charlotte’s Web,” “Stuart Little,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream –Unplugged.”

For the show’s three-weekend run, Goodrum cast three pairs of actors, each bringing a different dynamic and perspective to the roles. Opening weekend featured retired Davidson College professor Max Polley and Nyra Brannon, his neighbor at the Pines Retirement Community. Local actor Cat Rutledge and WFAE-FM’s “Charlotte Talks” host Mike Collins will collaborate this weekend. The final week-end’s performances will include Ginny Darcy, who has been seen on the Players’ stage many times, and Hess Wertz.

Performances are Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at Armour Street Theatre, 305 Armour St., Davidson. Box Office: 704-892-7953. Info: www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org

A ‘PLAY PLAY!’ PLAY – AT THE WAREHOUSE NEXT MONTH

After a sold out run at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in August, PlayPlay! next month is bringing “Psshh” to the Warehouse Performing Arts Center in Cornelius. The theater company creates shows for children three years and younger. Its third, original production, “Psshh” (pronounced like the sound of water shooting) is the simple story of a boat, a cloud, the sun and water. The actors use sights, sounds, and song to engage the audience, so little people and their loved ones experience the story together through seeing, feeling and hearing.

WANT TO GO?

The Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Road, presents ‘Psshh’ Nov. 12-20 at various times. Click here to view the production schedule.

Because of the young audience, seating is very limited. Fewer than 35 tickets are available for each performance. Click here to buy them now.

WHODUNIT? ABOUT TOWN TOURS PRESENTS ‘EVIL NEVER DIES’

Detectives call for help from the audience as they try to solve a case involving Evil-Eyed Emil, in About Town Tours’ second interactive murder mystery, “Evil Never Dies,” Oct. 29 at the Warehouse Performing Arts Center.

The premise:

When Emil looked at people with his infamous right eye, bad things invariably happened. As he was being driven out of Reaper Junction on Halloween night 100 years ago, Emil vowed to return one day to wreak his vengeance.

Well, the time is here and Emil has been sighted. And true to his century-old proclamation, someone has been the victim of Emil’s anger.  Audience members must put on their sleuthing hats, meet the suspects and figure out “whodunit.”

WANT TO GO?

Join the case Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. at The Warehouse Performing Arts Center, 9216-A Westmoreland Road.

Tickets are $20.00.  For reservations call 704-619.0429 or email tickets@warehousepac.com