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/66832
Lynn Pryer Will Take His Final Bow at Gala by STEPHANIE CRIDER Fayetteville and founded Gilbert Theater. He's decided it is time to move on, but like it or not, he won't be going quietly. Well-wishers, friends and Gilbert Theater supporters and patrons are invited to the Century Celebration on June 1 at 6 p.m. at Gilbert Theater to celebrate Pryer's many accomplishments and to wish him success in his future endeavors. The $50 ticket to the black-tie event includes heavy hors d'ouevres and admission to the performance of Musical of Musicals (the Musical). "There will be entertainment, music, some door prizes and a presentation," said incoming Artistic Director Robyne Parrish. "The presentation is at 7 p.m. and then more merriment at 8 p.m. followed by dessert and coffee supplied by the Hilltop House. I think it is going to be great fun. The tickets are selling really well." The legacy Pryer built is one of endorsing It's been 18 years, 18 seasons and 100 shows since Lynn Pryer moved to creativity, spirituality and love, and all four of these elements are present here. I am so grateful. I had those four things I needed and I was able to use that as a base to reach out to the theater community. I am extremely grateful to this town … it welcomed us with such care and affection and love." As he enters a new season, or act three of his life as he calls it, Pryer has ditched his plans to head back to his childhood home in California. From the moment he took the house off the market, it felt right. Like so many who come to Fayetteville from all corners of the globe, Pryer has succumbed to the trademark charm and warmth of the local community. His plans to retire from Gilbert Theater remain in tact though. "I have always wanted to live a meaningful life," said Pryer. "I require beauty, creative freedom and producing thought-provoking, entertaining and sometimes edgy shows. During his tenure, Gilbert Theater was home to a wide range of shows including The Rocky Horror Show, The Vagina Monologues and the much-loved A Christmas Carol, which has become a longstanding tradition the week after Thanksgiving. "We are very excited about what is happening at the Gilbert Theater," said Bill Bowman, publisher Up & Coming Weekly and sponsor of the Century Celebration. "Lynn Pryer created a successful arts venue for our community. It is thriving. Now he has taken it to another level with introduction of the new Artistic Director, Robyne Parrish. It is only fi tting that we help excentuate and illuminate this type of event, and honor Lynn for his contributions to the arts community." From the basement of his Haymount home, to the Arts Council to Bow Street, Pryer nurtured the Gilbert into a fl ourishing theater. He credits the community for its success. Incoming Artistic Director of Gilbert Theater, Robyne Parrish with Lynn Pryer. aware of each other and have work shops and share calendars and who knows what other things will grow from it. I think it will be an important thing to have happen. There are more groups out there than most people know about." but Fayetteville has not seen the last of Pryer. It's been a good run at the Gilbert, STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. Celebrate the Musical of Musicals at the Gilbert by STEPHANIE CRIDER June is a young girl struggling to pay the rent. Her evil landlord threatens her. It is a storyline that makes for great theater. A skilled writer and talented director could take that in many directions. Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), written by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell, takes it in several directions — fi ve, actually. All fi ve have the same plot, each in the style of a different composer. In the fi rst act the piece pays homage to Rogers and Hammerstein, whose music was featured in Oklahoma, The King and I and South Pacifi c. Next up is the style of Stephen Sondheim, composer of Company, A Little Night Music and Sunday in the Park With George. The work of Jerry Herman of Hello Dolly, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles has a place in the show as well. Andrew Lloyd Weber, composer of shows including Jesus Christ Super Star, Evita and Phantom of the Opera gets a nod as do Kander and Ebb who worked on Chicago and Cabaret. Musical of Musicals, (The Musical!) opens at Gilbert Theater on May 31 and runs through June 17. The production not only ends the 2011/2012 season, it is also the 100th play to be performed at Gilbert Theater under outgoing Artistic Director and founder Lynn Pryer. Directed by Dr. Gail Morfesis, the play ends Pryer's tenure on a high note. "When I announced my retirement a year ago I knew I wanted to go out with some levity," said Pryer. "Gail has directed for us before and she always does a bang up job." Morfesis chose this show to end the season with Pryer in mind. "Often I am asked, 'What musical-theater composition or opera is your favorite?' My answer is always the same. I have many favorites but it is impossible to choose just one due to the many wonderful composers and their varying styles," 12 UCW MAY 23-29, 2012 that was part of the plan when I set the season." After the fi nal performance on June 17, Pryer plans to say a few words and she said. "Eric Rockwell, composer and Joanne Bogart, lyricist, have attempted to answer this quandary for musical theater lovers in Musical Of Musicals, (The Musical!) Thus when approached by Lynn Pryer, Artistic Director of The Gilbert theater to suggest a musical to conclude his tenure at the Gilbert, his 100th show and the close of the 2011-2012 season, I instantly thought of this work — and of course the old television show, Name that Tune." While the production has fi ve segments with four characters in each one, Morfesis chose to use 13 performers in the show. "We had people who came back from prior seasons who wanted to be involved and wanted to be in Lynn's last show, and new people who were interested in joining the Gilbert Theater," said Morfesis. "I think it is nice we picked a work that has a lot of variety." Pryer is delighted with the choice as well. "I knew I wanted to leave on a note that was literally and fi guratively fun and upbeat, so recognize the people who have supported him through the years. Of course, there will be carrot cake involved and probably some reminiscing, too. "We always serve snacks after every performance and carrot cake is sort of our signature dessert that we serve with refreshements," said Pryer. Thursday-Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-$19 per person. Reservations are highly recommended. Find out more at www.gilberttheater.com. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM "On June 17, after the fi nal performance of Musical of Musicals (the Musical) I will hand over the gong to the new Artistic Director, Robyne Parrish," said Pryer. "She has sterling credentials and I'm sure she will do great things here. If I am ever needed for a shoulder to cry on or a bit of wisdom I will be available, but I am going to be 78 next month and Bob and I just want to be able to travel and do things with out worrying about scheduling confl icts." Although he is stepping away from the Gilbert Theater, Pryer is not going far. "I am going to spend my time organizing a theater alliance," said Pryer. "It will work to make theaters