Photos: The legendary Parkway Playhouse showcasing "The Bard of Avon" Quilt Block (part of the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina - underwritten by the owners of The Cove at Celo Mountain) and the locally commissioned, hand-forged entrance gate to THE COVE AT CELO MOUNTAIN. Enjoy our acclaimed art, our history, and some of America's most spectacular natural beauty. This is your Gateway to a new Lifestyle.
The 2011 Season (the 65th consecutive season!) of this Blue Ridge Parkway historic theater located in Burnsville, NC, is almost here!
This is the lineup of a Season of Heroes with added curtain-raisers during leaf season and Christmas! You are in for a treat that equals metropolitan theater across America. When we say we have more artists, per capita, in Yancey and Mitchell Counties than anywhere else in America - we are alluding to not only the visual arts and crafts but to the incredible talent in the performing arts here, as well.
May 6-14 THE MIRACLE WORKER by William Gibson-An inspiring and true story of heroism and faith about the remarkable Annie Sullivan who, against all odds, taught the deaf, mute, and blind child Helen Keller to communicate with the world.
June 3-11 WORLD PREMIER -AN UNCIVIL UNION: THE BATTLE OF BURNSVILLE-by Britt Kauffman-Set in Yancey County at the zenith of the Civil War and the 'worst winter in memory' a group of war weary mountain women make a courageous stand. Funny and touching, this world premiere play is an imaginative look at an actual event that reminds us that heroes can come from surprising places.
June 24-July 9 - 1776- a musical by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone-Daring to stand up and declare their independence from the British, the founding fathers of America embodied fearlessness and conviction. This powerful musical puts a human face on one of the most stirring events in our history: the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
July 22-August 6 - SEUSSICAL-a family musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty- A clever musical based on the works of the legendary Dr. Seuss will transport you to the Jungle of Nool where an elephant named Horton makes a bold stand on faith alone. Join us (and a certain famous hat-wearing feline) for an evening where anything imaginable.... is possible.
August 12-20 ROBIN HOOD: THE LEGEND OF SHERWOOD- a swashbuckling adventure by Jeff Douglas Messer and Robert Akers- The legend comes to life as the most famous "outlaw" in the world takes to the Parkway Playhouse stage to defy the menacing and oppressive Prince John and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.
August 23-September 6 - ALONG ABOUT SUNDOWN- an Appalachian mountain musical by Brenda Lunsford Lilly and Sandra Lunsford Mason-Meet Bascom Lamar Lunsford: minstrel, politician, and visionary hero. This intimate look at one of the most influential and creative native sons of North Carolina will have you clogging in the aisles.
October 21 (Tentative Opening) - DRACULA- a Gothic thriller- adapted from the Bram Stoker novel by Andrew Gall and Jeff Douglas Messer- The classic vampire story comes to heart-pounding life - a young woman falls victim to an unexplainable illness, a ghastly shipwreck is discovered, and a reclusive stranger from a remote land arrives in a seaside resort in England. Good is threatened by an unspeakable evil. As an unlikely band of heroes face off against one of the most feared and famous monsters of all time in this new adaptation of the first vampire novel.
December 1 (Tentative Opening) BEAUTIFUL STAR: AN APPALACHIAN NATIVITY-by Preston Lane and Laurelyn Dossett- A heartwarming retelling of the original Christmas story. Faith and redemption, new possibilities, and hope for all are re-discovered as a small mountain church uses music and love to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
