The Triangle Explorer

The Cast of Broadway’s CHICAGO
(Photo by Jeremy Daniel)

“Chicago” recently celebrated its 20th anniversary on Broadway in March. It’s now the longest-running American musical in Broadway history and you can see it right here in the Triangle next week when the touring production comes to the Durham Performing Arts Center with performances Friday, May 12th through Sunday, May 14th.

This a musical that tells story of  murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, and treachery set against the turbulent backdrop of prohibition era Chicago. The musical is based on a play of the same name by reporter and playwright Maurine Dalls Watkins  who covered the 1924 trials of accused murderers Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner for the Chicaog Tribune. At the time the press and public became mesmerized by the subject of homicides committed by women.

The story centers around nightclub sensation Velma (Terra C. MacLeod) who murders her philandering husband, and Chicago’s slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn (Eddie George) who comes to her aid to defend her. Things get complicated when Roxie (Dylis Croman) ends up in prison as well for murdering her lover. Billy takes on Roxie’s case as well and turns it into a media circus. Velma is not happy to see Roxie, who is stealing not only her limelight but also her lawyer and neither woman will be outdone in their fight against each other and the public for fame and celebrity.

Roz Ryan Plays Mamma Morton in the national touring company of “Chicago”

The Cook County Jail cell block Velma and Roxie are sent to as they await trial is presided over by the corrupt Matron “Mama” Morton (played by veteran Roz Ryan). Mamma runs a tight ship and keeps a list of those who owe her favors and those who have fallen in line and are on her good list. She helps Velma become the media’s top murder-of-the-week and acts as a booking agent for Velma’s big return to vaudeville.

Ryan is a Broadway and Hollywood veteran and I reached her by phone last week and had a wonderful conversation with her where she shared about what it is like to play this iconic role and traveling he globe with the production.

How long have you played Mamma Morton?
I’ve played Mama Morton on Broadway and in the touring production off and on for more than 18 years now. I never get tired of playing Mama. I started after auditioning for the first national tour. Spent a few years on Broadway then hot the road with the tour. I kind of view the role as Mama as mine. 

How did you land the audition to play Mamma?
It really is a Cinderella story. I was performing in Detroit and a musical director saw me and had me come in for an audition. I hadn’t seen the show at that point. So it was new to me when I was signed for the job. I saw it and a week later I was on stage performing in it. Ever Since then over the past 18 years, I’ve become the reliable ‘go to’ girl for the show. 

Playing such an iconic role for so many years, how do you keep it fresh?
It’s a little different each night. The character and performance is never exactly the same. Depending on the city you are in or the crowd in the theater there may be a different energy from night to night and performance to performance. My character gets to talk directly to the audience at some points during the show and that allows me to ad lib a little so I can always keep it fresh!

Where are some of the favorite places you have traveled with the show?
Oh we have been all over the world from Dubai to Australia. We are getting ready to visit Japan, Korea and the Philippines. They are all wonderful. One of my favorite pastimes is to scuba dive and take pictures of dolphins and whales. I’ve actually gotten quite good at photography. One of the benefits of traveling is not just seeing these wonderful places, but it provides me the opportunity to scuba dive in exciting locations. I actually received my scuba certification in Australia!

Do you have any other projects coming up you would like to highlight?
Well, I am always up to so much. Right now Chicago is my focus. But don;t forget I do a lot of voice-over work for cartoons and I love that too! Ultimately though I focus on the task at hand. I don’t make plans. God makes plans for me and I follow his plans.

CHICAGO opens at DPAC on Friday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 14th. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/mamma-mia-1.

Gonza Taco Truck Makes its First Appearance at the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo Sunday May 7th

Plenty of fun events going on this weekend. In addition to my picks below there are several other fun events going on this weekend I recommend checking out. These include opening night of “Mama Mia!” at DPAC on Friday (shows all weekend long). Also there is Wake Forest “Meet in the Street“, Triangle “Race for the Cure” 5k , and the Out! Raleigh Festival – all on Saturday. Then on Sunday check out the Grand Opening Celebration at 41 North Coffee in Wendell. Happy Exploring!

Friday – May 5th

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Gonza Taco
Each Gonza Tacoa y Tequila location will be open for both lunch and dinner serving from a special taco only menu and featuring live music, face painters, and street performers.

Pine State Coffee PopUp at Drink Drank Drunk
Friday night is First Friday in Raleigh. In addition to seeing art throughout galleries downtown make sure you stop by the Atomic Salon and their neighbor Drink Drank Drunk. Ry Watson will have paintings on display in Atomic while new local coffee roaster Pine State Coffee will be doing a pop up at D3’s front bar to serve some of their delicious coffee drinks! Fun starts at 6pm.

Saturday – May 6th

Compass Rose Anniversary Party
Compass Rose Brewery in North Raleigh is celebratin their 2nd Anniversary this Saturday. The party will include  live music, food trucks and a cornhole tournament.

Sunday – May 7th

Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo
Downtown Raleigh will be filled with Food Trucks this Sunday from 12-7pm with 50+ trucks from across the state including 10 trucks making their first appearance at the Raleigh Rodeo. As always I recommend getting there early to avoid the lines. You can veiw the list of food trucks for this event here

Midtown Bluegrass Series at North Hills
Kick off the Midtown Bluegrass season at Midtown Park in North Hills with veteran bluegrass band The Boxcars and rising stars ShadowGrass! You won’t want to miss this exciting pairing of musicians, where you can see for yourself how bluegrass continues to inspire future generations to play music. The afternoon will begin with a facilitated youth jam with local musicians Lynda and Jamie Dawson. View the performance schedule here.

Pictured, from left, are Cashelle Butler, Betsy Padamonsky, Sara Smith
Mamma Mia Farewell Tour – Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia, 2016.

This weekend “Mamma Mia!” is coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement with performances on Friday May 5th through Sunday, May 7th as part of its farewell tour across the US.

The show is filled with songs by the popular 70’s group ABBA, featuring some of their greatest hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Take A Chance On Me.” It is one of the most successful musicals of all time and the eighth longest running show in Broadway history. The musical is an upbeat display of song and dance that tells the story of a young woman about to be married on a beautiful Greek island. She invites three of her mother’s ex-boyfriends to the ceremony, thinking that one of them is her father, whom she’s never known. Things get complicated quickly.

“Mamma Mia!” closed on Broadway in September 2015, after a 14-year run and announced that it would embark on a “final farewell tour” in the 2016-17 season that would hit some 30 cities across North America. This is the third and final time Mama Mia will grace the stage at DPAC. Don’t miss your chance to see it!

Mama Mia! opens at DPAC on Friday, May 5th and runs through Sunday, May 7th. For tickets visit https://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/mamma-mia-1.

A new coffee shop you say? Well of course I need to check that out! A few weeks ago I paid a visit to the new 41 North Coffee Company located in the quaint little downtown area of Wendell. It is just 20 minutes down the road from Raleigh and I’m always up for exploring, especially when it involves coffee. I’ve been tracking their progress as they worked towards opening all winter and have really been looking forward to checking out this new shop.

The first thing that strikes you when you walk in the door is that it is a beautiful looking space. There’s exposed brick, acid stained concrete floors, tons of seating including heavy wood tables, high-tops, stools at the bar, and a couple of large comfy couches and chairs. The couches are situated by two large windows in the front of the shop that overlook Main Street that provide a ton of natural light which pours in over the earthy tones of the cafe’s interior. It is a well thought out space offering an environment that invites you to hangout and stay a while. They also have a good Wifi connection making it a great spot for getting some work done or hosting a meetup.

41 North serves coffee from local roaster Stockton Graham and has a full line of espresso and coffee drinks. They also have tea,  fruit smoothies, and an assortment of baked goods. I believe since my last visit they have also started offering a selection of sandwiches and salads during lunch.  When I visited I ordered an iced latte since it was pretty warm outside. The drink was well prepared and the staff were very friendly.

I noticed a nice stream of customers coming in and could tell the shop has already started to develop a loyal customer following. One of the drinks I overheard ordered the most was a ‘Cookie Butter’ latte. I typically stick to the basics, but I might have to give that one a try on my next visit to see what it’s all about. In the meantime I recommend paying 41 North a visit. It’s a fun spot to visit and a great excuse to pay downtown Wendell a visit and do a little exploring.

Grand Opening Celebration – Sunday, May 7th
Now that 41 North has been open for a few weeks and the warmer weather is upon us they plan to hold their Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration this Sunday from 2-6pm. It will be a fun filled Sunday afternoon in Downtown Wendell with face painting, a bouncy house, balloon art, free samples, and giveaways.

41 North Coffee Company
41 North Main Street
Wendell, NC 27591
website: https://41northcoffee.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/41northcoffee/
twitter: @41northcoffee
instagram: @41NorthCoffee

The touring production of CHICAGO comes to the Durham Performing Arts Center in May for a limited engagement with performances Friday, May 12th through Sunday, May 14th.

The show stars Dylis Croman as Roxie Hart, Terra C. MacLeod as Velma Kelly, and Eddie George, yes the former NFL Star and Heisman Trophy Winner, as the flamboyant Billy Flynn. The hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy, thousands of standing ovations and is now the #1 longest-running American Musical in Broadway history. It’s the classic tale of fame and fortune with one show-stopping song after another and some of the most amazing dancing you’ve ever seen on stage.

Whether you’re looking to see your very first musical, a fan of the award winning film and want to experience the show live on stage, or you’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers!

Tickets start at just $35 and can be  purchased by going to dpacnc.com or via the Ticket Center at DPAC either in person at 123 Vivian St. Durham, NC 27701 or by phone at 919.281.0818.

CHICAGO TICKET GIVEAWAY!
I’ve partnered with my friends at DPAC to give away two FREE tickets to a lucky Triangle Explorer reader for the Sunday evening performance on May 14th at 6:30pm. That’s Mother’s Day so if you win make sure you take your Mom! To enter leave a comment below about a fun experience you’ve have had at DPAC or why you want to see CHICAGO. I will randomly select one lucky winner on Friday, May 5th and contact them via email with details. Good Luck!