THEATER HISTORY: AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' - the 1988 3rd Season Opener featuring this performance of YOUR FEET'S TOO BIG - was inspired by Stage Director Robert Cacioppo who persuaded Producer Mark Wilson the musical could be mounted on the limited Pre-Union rehearsal timetable of less than six days, with performances ending on night #5. This cast worked all day, then in the cast housing 'til 4am, sleeping 3 hours a night to get the show ready. Only champions could jump in that ring, and still be standing on this Monday night closing performance. (This rare video is from a single back-of-house camera with 23+ year old vhs tape recorded for archival preservation, educational purpose and documentation.)
This was the first African-American production and performance EVER in the "quaint village" of Blowing Rock, where population was scarcely diverse in the 1980's (or today). This was also the same year the musical was a Revival on Broadway, garnering a Tony Award Nomination, having won Best Musical exactly 10 years earlier. CONTROVERSIAL IN 1988? The performers would agree the significance of their presence within that context cannot be overstated. The atmosphere wasn't quite as warm outside the theatre for these hot performers. Loren Harper, Judy Young, Keith Roberts, Terry Henry and Denise Gray are remembered also for their dignity in facing the cold quiet climate off-stage, where their own warmth was conspicuous as coal in snow. Every performance began with circled prayer backstage.
AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' distinguished the company in many ways locally during that critically important third season, including solid professional performance energy and a spirit of proud independence.
The music documented is live. The company never produced a musical with canned music during its first 12 years' production history. The small school "Off Broadway" style venue (and later Union Contract wages) spared the public tired Rogers & Hammerstein fare, forcing innovation on a smaller scale - adhering always to an aesthetic of as many musicians as the stage could hold and afford. Loren Harper IS performing here in front of a 7-piece live band with brass in a small house, including stride pianist Blake Pace - WITHOUT microphone amplification - old-school belting! These were the days BEFORE this theater had FM microphones or stage amplification options (or union wages...or benefits..or single room accommodations). There were recording mikes at stage edge for this evening's performance only.
The STANDING ROOM ONLY audience was on their feet for every performance, with folks upset they couldn't get in. There were folding metal chairs on the end of every row, bringing audience number close to 250 a night, demand far beyond capacity. And NO air conditioning. That's right. 247 Euro-American audience members, 5 cast members, at least 7 band members, and the tech and box office staff - soaking wet, sweating - in an old red brick school building ... early 20th century style.
Today, as the Director of Performing Arts for The Salvation Army Ministries out of Detroit, Loren Harper conducts recovery-based music and theatre workshops nationally for those struggling with addiction. He is a highly-sought motivational and open speaker for Narcotics Anonymous. He has starred in and directed some of the most popular gospel plays in the country, and in the summer 2010 release of the feature film BLESSED AND CURSED. He first made national headlines when he and his partner were the 1986 $50,000 Grand Prix Winners of NBC's DANCE FEVER.
The Blowing Rock Stage Company produced 24 consecutive seasons, establishing for two decades the regional standard for professional excellence, and providing the seminal inspiration for Blowing Rock North Carolina's lavish permanent performing arts center. "One never knows, do one..." - Fats Waller
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Blowing Rock NC Theater Black History Loren Dean Harper Honeysuckle Rose 1988 (S3P1)by marskat7598 views
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