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.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1475817
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 10 - 16, 2022 UCW 19 e Cape Fear Regional eatre invites audiences to follow them "Into e Woods" on Saturday, Aug. 20 for two performances of Stephen Sond- heim's Tony Award-winning musical. e story of a childless baker, his wife, and a cast of colorful fairy tale characters they meet along their journey will come to life on the CFRT stage. Performed by 24 graduates of the CFRT summer camp, the talented teens will present the fruits of their labor at 2 and 6 p.m. Since its debut in 1987, "Into the Woods" has garnered international praise, earned numerous nominations and awards, and continues to delight audiences to this day with its engaging plot and exciting musical score. With Sondheim's passing in 2021, his legacy of work has become more popular than ever, a fact kept closely in mind when choosing to undertake this challenging production. "is is a play theater people know well," director Marc de la Concha told Up & Coming Weekly. "ere are a lot of characters, and even though it's a fairy tale, there are so many life les- sons in it that are still relevant today." Due to its popularity and familiarity, de la Concha promises CFRT's version will put a unique spin on an old story with a few surprises the audience won't be expecting. He also praised the professional- ism and hard work of the production's young actors, aged 15 to 19 years old. "We have a great group of students," he gushed. "ey are so talented, and people will see that this is a celebra- tion of the youth in our community." Established in 1962 by a small ensemble of actors, the Cape Fear Regional eatre has grown into a powerhouse that serves nearly 50,000 people a year throughout its high- caliber, six-show season. e theatre, founded on a belief "in the power of storytelling and the visceral impact of live theatre," adheres to a strict com- mitment to artistic excellence evident in its performances' stagecraft and production value. at same level of commitment can be seen in the theatre's many pro- grams to educate children and teens across Cumberland County. Offering student workshops, internships, day camps, and military outreach pro- grams, CFRT understands its respon- sibility as a cultural touchstone within the community. "Into the Woods" is one of three student performances this summer that showcase the accomplishments of seasoned theatre kids and those new to the craft. e rigorous summer camps, particularly the one for teens, are meant to give students a full theat- rical experience. Aside from building future actors, theatergoers and stake- holders, de la Concha feels strongly about the value of educational theatre in the lives of young people. "I have always been a storyteller — I love a good moment," he joked. "e- atre can be a great way to escape, but educational theatre teaches so many skills in a fun way. It empowers kids to be their true selves and work together, which goes hand-in-hand with this production." Cape Fear Regional eatre is locat- ed at 1209 Hay Street in Fayetteville. To purchase tickets, visit the the- ater's website at www.cfrt.org/. Cape Fear Regional Theatre leads audiences Into The Woods by ASHLEY SHIRLEY ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 EVENTS Local organizers host best pitmasters in barbecue cook off by R. ELGIN ZEIBER R. ELGIN ZEIBER, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200 Barbecue lovers, beware. e "Black BBQ Cook Off " will hit the ground running at the Murchison Road Food Truck Park on Aug. 21 from 12 to 5 p.m. e cook off will coincide with the second annual "I Love My Com- munity Cookout and Giveaway," and the eclectic art show "Expression rough the Arts." e purpose of the "Black BBQ Cook Off " is to exemplify the best African American pitmasters Fayetteville has to offer, while bringing people to- gether, said Elizabeth Stiff, community organizer and L3 Brand Community Alliance owner. e goal of the "I Love My Commu- nity Cookout and Giveaway" is meant to "help families start the school year off in a great way through resources, giveaways and celebration." Scheduled guests of the event include Cumberland County Judges Tiffany Whitfield and Stephen C. Stokes, crypto-millionaire Kwame Stover, comedian Jesse Mitchell, Food Network's Chef Judy, boxing champ Michael C. Williams, Jr., NFL's Greg Gilmore, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, Spring Lake Mayor Kia An- thony and the Briarwood Cattle Farm. e cook off is being brought to life by pitmasters Bruce "Boo" Yeoman (the owner of the "Noth'n Fancy Food Truck"); Carl Pringle (the creator of the "FLIP FLOP SAUCE"); William Jerome Wright, L3 Brand Community Alliance; Tonya McNeill, owner of the "Salad Box" (a restaurant located within the truck park); and John David Ross, the owner of the Murchison Road Food Truck Park. "We had been talking about [having a cook off ] for about four or five years," said Yeoman. e deadline to enter the "Black BBQ Cook Off " is Aug. 10. Presently, there are 12 entrants with about 30 groups still deciding; in fact, there has been so much support from North Carolina pitmasters, as well as pitmasters from surrounding states, that the "Black BBQ Cook Off " had to be Fayetteville area pitmasters only for the first time. "At another time, we'll hold a cook off to see who's the best of the best in the Carolinas," Yeoman said. Although anybody can enter, each team's pitmaster must be African American. "What we wanted was to showcase [black BBQ] in a big way," Yeo- man said. at's the reason why the Murchison Road Food Truck Park was chosen for the location. Yeoman and his partners in the pit come from the Murchison Road area. "Pulling off this cook off is what the community needs to see," Pringle said. It's worth noting that the idea of a "Black" BBQ has caused some distress amongst Fayette- ville's public. Deeming the word divisive, those against naming the cook off the "Black BBQ Cook Off " argue that including race in the name is a recipe for segregation. However, the hosts want to make it clear that anybody can enter the competition, even though the cook off is meant to showcase the best African- American pit masters Fayetteville can muster. "e biggest thing is it's not about separation, it's about education," Pringle said. e Murchison Road Food Truck Park is located at 3421 Murchison Road, just north of Country Club Drive, on the south side of the street. e pits begin cooking at 5:30 a.m., free samples will be given out starting at 12:00 p.m., and the judges will make their decisions beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please visit L3Brand.com. Carl Pringle, an organizer of the "Black BBQ Cook Off," said the event showcases the talents of local Black pitmasters, but all are invited. (Photo by Elizabeth Stiff, courtesy L3BrandPhotography)