Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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10 UCW JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2019 Best of Fayetteville Best Play/Musical This Season "Annie" at Cape Fear Regional Theatre 910-323-4233 or www.cfrt.org Cape Fear Regional Theatre's production of "Annie" was nothing short of spectacu- lar, often drawing cheers from a full house. With the book by Thomas Meehan, lyrics by Martin Charmin, music by Charles Strouse and a setting in the midst of the Great Depression, the adventures of a young orphan in search of her parents touched on a theme still relevant today. The contrast between Hooverville, where Annie takes refuge, and her life as a guest in Oliver Warbuck's mansion emphasizes the vast gap between the rich and the majority of citizens struggling just to eat and keep a roof over their heads. Lily Hogge alternated playing the title role with Zoi Pegues, and each girl dis- played an amazing vocal range for her young age. The Orphan Ensemble capti- vated from the beginning. Thanks to the orphans, the mood never descended into pathos. Their superb rendition of "It's A Hard Knock Life" and subsequent heck- ling of Miss Hannigan convinced the audience these were resilient little girls. Erin Fish's Miss Hannigan, a role she played on the national tour, was the vil- lainess we all loved to hate. Fish played Miss Hannigan for laughs, of which there were plenty. Robert Newman, in the role of Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, brought star power to Fayetteville, having appeared for 28 seasons on the long-running TV program "Guiding Light." Under the artistic direction of Mary Kate Burke, "Annie" was directed and cho- reographed by Robin Levine. Both the set, designed by Charles Glenn, and the costumes, designed by Sarah Harris, were simple yet evocative of the era in which the musical was staged. The orchestra, under the direction of Jillian K. Zack, was superb — taking care to enhance rather than overwhelm young voices. Best Art Gallery The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County 301 Hay St. 910-323-1776 or www.theartscouncil.com A perennial favorite, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County has been an essential force in our community since its founding in 1973. It administers programs in partnership with a variety of regional agencies to stimulate community and economic development through the arts. The Arts Council is built on the premise that art connects people faster than any- thing else and is worth promoting. Nonprofit arts and culture comprise a $59.2 mil- lion-dollar industry in Cumberland County, which is consistently higher than the national average. The Arts Council won national recognition and a $10,000 award from Ovation network and Spectrum this year as one of 12 organizations across the United States lauded for innovative programming and enriching communities. So far, community organizations and individual artists have received $652,429 in grants and support from the Arts Council during the 2018-19 fiscal year. The Arts Council benefits from events like the art walk-abouts that bring people downtown and also hosts several of its own events. 4th Fridays continue to draw visitors downtown to enjoy street music and art as well as local restaurants and brew pubs. Every September, the Arts Council produces the International Folk Festival to celebrate the city's diversity with dance and musical performances, authentic inter- national cuisine and the Parade of Nations. This year, Sunday, Sept. 29, is family day at the IFF. On the Friday following Thanksgiving, the Arts Council annually sponsors A Dickens Holiday. Horse-drawn carriages, artisans, carolers, period shops and a moving candlelight procession culminate in the mayor's holiday proclamation and a fireworks finale. Under the direction of Greg Weber, new president and CEO, the community can look forward to more great experiences with Fayetteville's favorite art gallery. A RTS FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND CO. w w w . b l a c k w e l l h e a t i n g a n d a i r . c o m 415 East Russell Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 • 910.483.4696 • Replacement Service • Free Estimates • Service Contracts • Duct Replacement #1 Thank You Cumberland County Residents For Voting Us Best Heating and A/C Company A trusted name in the community for over 80 years