14 things to do in Wilmington this weekend, from plays and comedy to art and festivals
Whether it elicits a sigh of regret or a sigh of relief, the 2024 N.C. Azalea Festival is officially in the books.
From here on out we are barreling headlong into summer, and this weekend's lineup of events is a truly diverse offering that should help ease (or heave?) us into the action-packed spring season.
There are indoor events to be sure, a combo of plays, musicals, comedy, dance and touring shows.
But the outdoor events are well-represented as well, with concerts, festivals, art shows and more taking place.
Let's dive right in and see what the Wilmington weekend has in store.
ALL WEEKEND
'Beauty and the Beast'
April 12-14 at Thalian Hall: Last weekend, Thalian Association Community Theatre opened a crowd-pleasing and surprisingly moving stage production of this beloved Disney movie musical at Thalian Hall. Don't be surprised if you shed a tear or two. (I was, and did).
I'm told this weekend's final four performances are getting close to sold out, so get tickets ASAP if you want to see this impressive show, which features excellent singing and entertaining performances and production numbers led by the assured hand of director Chandler Davis.
"Beauty and the Beast," of course, tells the story of Belle, a book-loving young woman from a "provincial" French town who enters an enchanted castle headed by a Beast who's really a cursed prince. The Beast must find love in order to break the spell, so we've got a pretty good idea of where this is heading.
As Belle, Sydney Smith Martin imbues her character with smarts and a no-nonsense charm while effortlessly conjuring emotion with such songs as the Act Two show stopper "A Change In Me," which isn't in the original 1991 animated film. On Sunday, dozens of well-behaved little girls clad in Disney princess dresses attended the show, gasping in unison when Belle made her second-act entrance wearing the movie's iconic yellow ball gown.
Martin is backed by an enthusiastic young cast who likely grew up watching the movie as kids and thus feel a deep connection to the material, and that intimacy translates into a kind of exuberance on stage.
Kaleb Edley brings a strong voice and an intimidating manner to the role of the Beast, and Mathis Turner is picture-perfect as Gaston, the cartoonishly boorish townie who demands Belle's hand in marriage despite her extreme lack of interest. The enchanted servants from the Beast's castle are a lot of fun as well, including crowd fav Logan Mack as the half-candle, half-man Lumiere, and the absolutely adorable Alana Hodge as Chip, a little teacup.
Music director Denice Hopper's band provides a sound that's warm and lush, and Josh Zieseniss' lighting design adds colorful, sometimes dazzling depth to scenes. This show is one beauty of a "Beast." 7:30 p.m. April 12-13, 2 p.m. April 13-14. Tickets at 910-632-2285.
'Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery'
April 12-14 at DREAMS Garage: Wilmington Theater Awards winner Regina McLeod directs this play by Shay Youngblood for Cleod Nine Productions about a Black girl's coming of age in the 1960s South, where the girl is raised by multiple women in her community after her mother dies. The estimable cast includes Wilmington's Ricki Nelson, who was just named Miss Black North Carolina. 7:30 p.m. April 12-13, 3 p.m. April 14, tickets are $22.
'Stand Up, Be Seen, Be Kind': Wilmington woman crowned 2024 Miss Black North Carolina
Kevin McCaffrey
April 12-13 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Very funny veteran standup comic made his network TV debut on David Letterman's show over a decade ago and has since gone on to a career of successful tours and a No. 1 comedy album, "Nice & Drunk." McCaffrey's vibe is a mix of wholesome and edgy, with stories about family memories bumping up against tales of his drug-dealing neighbor. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. April 12-13, tickets are $18 and $28.
'Proof'
April 11-28at Brunswick Little Theatre: Southport theater company presents this Pultizer Prize-winning drama by David Auburn about a brilliant yet mentally unstable mathematician and his smart but troubled daughter, who's worried about the soundness of her own mind. Ken Greenman directs. 7:30 p.m. April 11-13, 19-20 and 26-27, 3 p.m. April 14, 21 and 28. Tickets are $28.
'Ten-Minute Miscellany'
April 10-12at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Port City Playwrights presents its annual production of original one-act plays by area writers. Always a hot ticket, performances typically sell out. This year's crop of nine plays, each about 10 minutes long, includes the stories of a child trying to make peace with their dying father, an undocumented mother seeking refuge in a church, a grandmother going to extremes to protect her pregnant granddaughter and more. 7:30 p.m. April 10-12, tickets at 910-632-2285.
'Ashes to Ashes'
April 11-12 at UNCW's SRO Theatre: We don't often see plays by acclaimed British playwright Harold Pinter put on in Wilmington, so chalk this one as a rare opportunity. Recent Wilmington Theater Awards nominee EC Cobb-Curtis Baily (for their title role in UNCW's "Dracula") and UNCW theater department alum Tony Choufani star in this two-hander centering on a conversation between a man and a woman whose lover may have involved in an act of genocide. According to a news release, the show delves into "the uncertain status of memory, conflict between the genders, and the ways power, politics, and history infect personal relationships." UNCW theater instructor and Pinter scholar Dr. Charles Grimes directs. 7:30 p.m. April 11-12 in the SRO Theatre in UNCW's Cultural Arts Building. Free.
FRIDAY
The Brook & The Bluff
April 12at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Concert season at GLA started Tuesday with Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, and the shows keep on coming this weekend. The Brook and the Bluff is a poppy folk rock band whose latest album, "Bluebeard," contains sunny gems like the lightly bouncy "Tangerine." Tasty stuff. 7 p.m. April 12, tickets start at $30.
Wilmington Dance Festival
April 12at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium: Annual celebration of various genres of dance has been around since 2002 and features both local and regional companies, dancers and choreographers. Produced by the Dance Cooperative of Wilmington, this year's pieces include a jazzy tribute to "The Blues Brothers." 7:30 p.m. April 12, tickets are $25. 910-962-3500.
SATURDAY
Dinosaur World Live!
April 13at CFCC Wilson Center: Touring, family-friendly show features life-size, realistic-looking dinosaur puppets complete with theatrical sets, sound and lights. If your kid loves or even kind of likes dinosaurs, this one's a no-brainer. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 13, tickets start at $20. 910-362-7999.
The Comically Impaired's 30th anniversary
April 13at Thalian Hall (ballroom): After forming at erstwhile Wilmington watering hole Bessie's on Front Street back in 1994, this improv comedy troupe performed weekly for a decade or so before scaling back to reunion shows for special occasions. This weekend will mark two such occasions: the troupe's 30th anniversary, and a benefit for Wilmington artist Bryan Jacobs, who's also the owner of legendary downtown pub Lula's. Jacobs recently suffered a stroke, from which he is recovering, and the performance will raise money for his medical expenses. Some of Jacobs' work will be for sale at the show as well. 8 p.m. April 13, tickets are $21.40.
Impaired for life: The Comically Impaired at 25
Humble Jumble Art Sale
April 13at the Cameron Art Museum: Annual art sale features the work of some three dozen area artists. Proceeds benefit the artists and The CAM. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. April 13, $5 entry fee.
Madafo Day
April 13at DREAMS of Wilmington: The life of longtime Wilmington musician, actor and storyteller "Madafo" Lloyd Wilson, who died last year at the age of 76, will be celebrated this weekend as part of the city's officially proclaimed Madafo Day. The youth-centric festival is being put on by The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County with the Dreams Center for Arts Education. Activities include craft stations for children and performances by the Dance Theater of DREAMS; storytellers June Bug, Joyce Grear and Maxwell Paige; guitarist Roger Davis; singers Nina Repeta, Delores Brown and Laura McLean; saxophonist and flutist Dave Schartman; and more. During his time in Wilmington, Wilson performed with the Willis Richardson Players, Tapestry Theatre Co. and other troupes; mentored young artists; performed with many area musicians; and produced and hosted "A Season's Griot," the first and only nationally syndicated radio program for Kwanzaa. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 13, free.
Madafo Lloyd Wilson: A celebrated Wilmington performer and storyteller, who charmed audiences for decades, dies
SUNDAY
Bryan Jacobs Art Party & Benefit
April 14 at Rx Chicken & Oysters: Longtime Wilmington artist Bryan Jacobs, who's also the owner of legendary downtown pub Lula's, recently suffered a stroke, from which he is recovering. This show and sale will raise money for his medical expenses. Features live music from the Mac & Juice Duo, along with art from Sarah Doss, Mark Weber, artists from Wilmington's Soda Pop Gallery and many more. The event also includes raffles for art and gift cards. 2-5 p.m. April 14, free.
Bryan Jacobs: Lula’s pub owner faces pandemic with renewed focus on art
Food Truck Rodeo
April 14 at Ogden Park: The Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County is bringing back this popular event. Look for a variety of food options, with proceeds to benefit a All Wheels Pump Track at Northern Regional Park. Noon-5 p.m., free.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do and what's going on in Wilmington, NC, this weekend
