Theater and Performing Arts
Cape Fear Regional Theatre: From its humble beginnings as a small group of local actors in 1962, the Fayetteville theater has evolved into one of the best in the state. Last year's season ended in June with classic productions of "Singing in the Rain," "Twelve Angry Men" and "Good Ol' Girls," to name a few. The 2008-09 season is expected to be just as exciting kicking off with "Barnum" in September and wrapping up with the wildly popular "High School Musical 2" in June. Special events include "West Side Story," a collaboration with the Fayetteville Symphony, and a children's show. For more information, call 323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org.
The Gilbert Theater: Founded in 1994 in the basement of Lynn Pryer's home, the theater has flourished in its devotion to providing classical theatrical productions for the diverse community. Today, it stages its productions in downtown Fayetteville above the Fascinate-U Children's Museum on Green Street. The 2008-09 season includes "Assassins" (Oct. 2-19), "A Christmas Carol" (Nov. 28-Dec. 14), "References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot" (Jan. 29-Feb. 15), "On the Verge" (March 19-April 5) and "Exits & Entrances" (May 28-June 14). Call 678-7186 for more information or visit www.gilberttheater.com.
Temple Theatre: Since 1984 the downtown Sanford theater has been producing plays in a former vaudeville house. The theater attracts a regional audience with its blend of musicals, dramas and comedies. The 2008-09 season kicks off Aug. 28 with "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" and includes productions of "Hamlet" and "Little Women -- The Musical," to name a few.
Givens Performing Arts Center: The center is housed on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Its season features Broadway productions and a Distinguished Speakers Series. The 2008-09 "Broadway and More" series includes "Oliver!" (Oct. 24), "Ain't Misbehavin'" (Jan. 13) and "Sweeney Todd" (Feb. 6). For more information, call (910) 521-6287 or go to www.uncp.edu/gpac.
Harnett Regional Theatre: The theater company in Dunn stages a variety of productions at the Stewart Theater at 114 N. Wilson Ave. The 2008-09 season opens Sept. 12 with "Over the River and Through the Woods," a comedy about family and love. Call (910) 892- 8142 for more information or visit www.onlinehrt.org.
Robeson Little Theatre: The company stages a variety of plays annually. Call (910) 618-9401 for more information.
Methodist University: The university is known for putting on high-quality productions. Past plays have been "Shakespeare in Film" and "Tar Heel Tales." For more information, call 630-7000 or visit www.methodist.edu/Theatre.
Fayetteville State University: FSU is devoted to the fine arts, which shows in its productions and concert series performed at Butler Theatre and Seabrook Auditorium. Scheduled for this year are "The Woman in Black" (Oct. 2-4), and "Clue: The Musical" (April 23-25). For more information, call 672-1111 or go to www.uncfsu.edu.