Theater

▶ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Theater
In The High Country

The performing arts have a long and storied history in the High Country. Most companies have spent years honing their craft and are now able to produce some of the best shows around. With professional theater productions like Lees-McRae Summer Theatre, Horn in the West and Ensemble Stage Summer Theater, community theaters like the Ashe County Little Theater, Heritage Hall Theater and student theaters like Appalachian State University there truly is something for every theater lover to enjoy in the High Country. Many shows sell out quick, so be sure to get your tickets to this year’s round of great productions soon!

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre

Phone: 1-800-280-4562
Address: 191 Main St, Banner Elk, NC
Website: www.LMC.edu

In 1985, Lees-McRae Summer Theatre started its first summer series with I Do! I Do!, The Mousetrap, Coming of Age and children’s production Where Are Friends When You Need Them. By 2004, the Summer Theatre had 100 paid performers, technicians and managers. Audience attendance topped at 6,000 guests each summer with an annual operating budget of $150,000. Today, average ticket sales are around 8,000. The shows have become known as one of the best series of summer theatre in North Carolina.

Tickets: The Summer Theatre Box Office is located in Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. More ticket information coming soon.

Ashe County Little Theater

Phone: 336-846-2787
Address 962 Mt. Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson, NC
Website: www.AsheCivic.com

The Ashe County Little Theater was first organized in September of 1959 by local radio manager, Walter Luce and high school English teacher, Elizabeth Barlow. The group became a formal organization in January of 1960 with the election of officers installing Elizabeth Barlow as president. Since that time, the little theater has produced three or four productions every year. Some past productions include Sound of Music, The Music Man, 1776, Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Camelot, Walking Across Egypt, I’ll Never Be Hungry Again, The Sugar Bean Sisters, Twelve Angry Men, The Fantasticks, A Streetcar Named Desire, On Golden Pond and Mame.

The Ashe County Little Theater is a volunteer group of folks from all walks of life in Ashe County. Presently, the Little Theater makes its home at the Ashe Civic Center.

2018 Calendar: April 6-8 Bus Stop | June 21-25 The Secret Garden | August 23-26 Savannah Sipping Society

Ticket Information: At this time, the box office at the Ashe Civic Center is not staffed. Tickets for events are available at the Ashe Arts Center in West Jefferson or can be ordered over the phone with a credit card at 336-846-2787.

Ensemble Stage Theater

Phone: 828-414-1844
Address: 130 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC
Website: www.EnsembleStage.com (tickets)

Ensemble Stage was conceived out of necessity and an unfaltering love of the performing arts and the unquenchable desire to share that love with the North Carolina High Country community. In order to provide the surrounding community with affordable access to quality performing arts, Ensemble Stage was created.

Ensemble Stage offers a variety of theatrical productions throughout the year, with both professional and amateur staff. The company also offers youth camps for youngsters to get into theater and memberships for frequent guests of shows. Some notable productions are the live radio shows, the holiday productions and the summer theater that High Country visitors and residents alike have come to love. Ensemble Stage also collaborates with other businesses to produce musical murder-mysteries and classic theater productions that young and old alike will recognize and enjoy.

2018 Calendar: June 8-June 16: Deadly Murder | June 23: Marmalade Gumdrops (Saturday Kids Theatre) | June 29-July 6: Red White and Tuna | July 14: Marmalade Gumdrops (Saturday Kids Theatre) | July 27-August 4: Slow Dance on the Killing Ground | July 28 Marmalade Gumdrops (Saturday Kids Theatre) | August 17-25 Weekend Comedy

Tickets for each show can be purchased online at www.EnsembleStage.com, by phone at 828-414-1844 or tickets can be purchased the day of the show up to curtain time at the curtain desk starting one hour prior to the start of the show. Cash or check only is accepted for ticket purchases at the door.
Show information coming soon

Horn in the West Theater

Phone: 828-264-2120
Address: 591 Horn in the W Dr, Boone, NC
Website: www.HornInTheWest.com

Loved by young and old alike, the Horn in the West outdoor drama is located in the heart of Boone, North Carolina in one of the most beautiful outdoor theatres in the country. This adventure, from our nation’s heritage, has offered thrilling outdoor entertainment for generations of American’s since the show first premiered in 1952.

Plot Synopsis: Horn in the West is the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War drama that brings to life one of the most famous frontiersmen of history, Daniel Boone, and the hearty mountain settlers in their struggle to preserve their own freedom during the years of the War for Indepenence. The drama highlights the settlers who came to the Blue Ridge Mountains seeking freedom and an escape from British tyranny. Dr. Geoffrey Stuart, a prominent British physician, comes to the Carolina Colony to study the dreaded smallpox disease bringing with him his wife Martha and their teenage son, Jack. In May of 1771, a band of colonists who call themselves “Regulators” take up arms against the British authorities.

After being soundly defeated at the Battle of Alamance, the band of rebels is captured along with Jack Stuart who found alongside them. Dr. Stuart must find a way to rescue his son and save his family name. Through hardship and danger, house-raising and romance, the ties that bind the Stuart Family together with the small pioneer community grow. Dr. Stuart, struggling with the pride of his loyalist feelings and his dreams of returning to England finds himself the leader of the diverse mountain community.

The doctor’s aid and expertise lead to a friendship between the settlers and the Cherokee Native Americans, while the British attempt to urge the Cherokee to wage war against the settlers. Dr. Stuart’s aid among the native people leads to an understanding between the tribe and the villagers and with the help of Nane’hi, daughter of a Cherokee chief and Daniel Boone, the mountain settlement remains free. Dr. Stuart must choose between the love of a son and his loyalty to England and ultimately joins his son and neighbors on the long trek to King’s Mountain. There, they meet with the destiny that forged the future of a nation.

Hours and Admission: Nightly at 8 p.m., excluding Mondays. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
June 23-August 5

Rates:
VIP Package: Adult Vip ($35) and Child VIP ($24)
Gold Level Seating: Adult ($25) and Child ($13)
General Reserved: Adult ($20) and Child ($10)

Heritage Hall Theater

Phone: 423-727-7444
Address: 211 N Church St, Mountain City, TN
Website: www.HeritageHallTheatre.org

Started in 2005, Heritage Hall Theater has been providing the community with quality entertainment for all ages for a decade. For our 10th anniversary, Heritage Hall Theater will present a spectacular lineup of plays, musical performances, musicals and more.

2018 Calendar:
June 8, 9, 15 and 16 Your's Truly, Tom Dooley
June 23 John Mccetcheon: Songwriter, Folk Singer, Storyteller, and Instrumentalist
July 7 Privette Family Bluegrass Annual FREE Gospel Concert
July 10 "The Book of Mamaw" with Eugene Wolf
July 14 Phantom - The Sunflower Festival at Ralph Stout Park
July 21 David Holt and Josh Goforth
August 4 and 5 Kurt Sutton -"Mark Twain and Mr. Clemons, Tonight!"
August 17 The Malpass Brothers
September 2 Long Journey Home - Sunday Singing
September 15 Mountain Rose Band
October 6 Riders in the Sky, "America's Favorite Cowboys"
October 19, 20, 26, and 27 "Curtain Up On Murder"
November 3 Storyteller Donald Davis
November 6 Barter Theatre Presents: "Sally Mccoy"
November 17 An Evening with the Kruger Brothers
November 30, December 1 and 2 "Annie"
December 6 JCHS &JCMS Christmas Concerts
December 13, 14, and 15 The Living Christmas Tree

Appalachian State University

Phone: 828-262-3063
Website: www.tickets.com

Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance provides many theatrical shows throughout the year that are open to the public.

Shows held by the ASU Department of Theatre and Dance are held at Valborg Theater, The Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts or Greer Studio Theatre on the campus of Appalachian State University.

Tickets: Ticket prices and box office information can be found at www.theatre.appstate.edu/performances/box-office. Advance tickets are available for all performances and are available online, by phone or in person in advance or the day of the show.

Mainstage Productions:
adults: $15
faculty/staff and seniors: $13
ASU students and children under 8: $8

Studio Productions:
adults: $10
faculty & staff/senior: $8
ASU students and youth: $5

Reduced ticket prices are available for groups of ten or more persons by advance arrangement with the Box Office Manager for both Valborg and Greer productions.

The box office is located in the lobby of the Valborg Theatre. Tickets can also be purchased at the venue door one hour before curtain time. Cash, check and credit and debit cards are accepted. AppCards are not accepted for ticket purchases. Tickets can also be charged by phone at 828-262-3063 or online at www.tickets.com.

Show information coming soon

Theater In The High Country