Live from Charlotte

Last year when an acquaintance offered me her ticket to see Avenue Q at half price, I though at half price I couldn’t pass it up. But to be quite honest I wasn’t so sure how I would like the show. I mean I like Muppets, but I like mine on the cute and innocent side. Like Elmo or Kermit the frog. These are naughty puppets.

A few months later I was watching one of my favorite TV shows Ace of Cakes and Duff and crew were making a cake for the touring cast party. I thought maybe this might, possibly, be cute. Still though…. naughty puppets. Then I saw the documentary Show Business…The Road to Broadway . This documentary focuses on 4 new shows in 2003. It highlights 2 successful shows (Avenue Q and Wicked) and two that failed (Caroline or Change and Taboo). After seeing this I figured I could sit through this. Yet I didn’t quite have the expectations of Wicked.

The show is about a group of 20 and 30’s something adults and a few cute puppets. It is the story of Princeton who comes to NYC with dreams of a new life right after college. He doesn’t have much money so he has to move to Avenue Q where he makes new friends and starts to wonder about his purpose in life. He meets Kate Monster, Brian and Christmas Eve, Trekkie Monster, room mates Rod and Nikki, and former child star now apartment janitor, Gary Coleman! The group explores real life issues such as figuring out life after your dreams don’t come true and relationships.

Songs such as It Sucks to Be Me, Everyone’s A Little Bit Raciest, Internet is for Porn, and If You Were Gay let you know this isn’t your Rogers and Hammerstein production. This all started when writers Robert Lopez and Jeff Marks were looking to make a TV show. They started shopping the show around but eventually made its way to a highly successful Broadway show.

When the show debut it received mixed reviews. Many didn’t think it would find an audience and one reviewer even declared it would be closed by the end of the year. In 2004 it had 6 Tony nominations and would go on to win 3 of those including an upset over Wicked for Best Musical. They also won 2 Theater World awards and were nominated for 5 Drama Desk Awards.

Now how to best describe Avenue Q? It is bawdy, raunchy, politically incorrect, over the top hilarious, and yet enduringly sweet. With only 16 people the cast if very small yet extremely talented. The actors don’t try to hide their puppets and have to be both actors and puppeteer. A feat all seem to do seamlessly.

In case you’re wondering how I liked the show. Well my cheeks were hurting from laughing so hard. The show is just simply adorable and the cast and puppets were terrific. I absolutely loved the show. In fact when I got home I went straight to their website to see where I can catch it again.

Please note this show carries mature themes. It deals with homosexuality, sexuality, and uses frank language and yes..full frontal puppet nudity. I saw a few people with their kids who soon left due to the language. The reason I had a ticket is my friend used good judgment and didn’t want to take her daughter. This certainly is not a show for small ones. For teenagers you have to think about how you feel about the above subjects and if you want your kids exposed to that. This is also not for people who are easily offended or have issues with homosexuality.

Resources/information

Broadway Musicals …The 101 Greatest Shows of all Time (keep in mind it is Missing the Lion King so if certainly isn’t complete). Ken Bloom and Frank Vlastnick. 2004. Black Dog Publishers.

Avenue Q…The Musical . Zachery Pincus-Roth. 2006. Hyperion Publishing.

DVD documentary Show Business…The Road to Broadway


www.ibdb.com The sources for all things Broadway.

www.avenueq.com The official website.

For a look at the show just go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCU4xf5IJE.

For a night that you won’t soon forget on Broadway, make sure to stop by Avenue Q. Just make sure you bring Kleenex for all the tears of laughter.

I had been wanting to see Wicked since it first came to Broadway. I happened to be in NY during the first few weeks it was open which would have included the original cast. And that opening cast included Kristen Chenoweth (Glinda), Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Joel Grey (the Wizard). My husband didn’t want to go until we got to town and then there were no tickets to be had. So every year since then when I do my survey for the performing arts center on what I want to see. My 3 choices? Wicked, Wicked, and Wicked. So FINALLY in April my wish came true!

Now when you watch the annual airing of the classic movie The Wizard of Oz staring Judy Garland have you ever wondered what happened before Dorothy dropped in. The cast of Wicked are here to tell you all about it.

It starts off with Glinda coming in on her bubble to tell theater patrons that Elphaba (otherwise known as the Wicked Witch of the West) is dead. She starts from the beginning when we see Elphaba’s grand entrance as…a…green…baby! We quickly move from her formative years to her first day of Shiz U where she goes to watch over her sister. Due to a snafu she ends up with the ever so popular and beautiful, Glinda, as her roommate. Things don’t go so well as you can imagine. Glinda is loved by everyone while Elphaba is the outcast. Glinda is also after the handsome Fiyero. Much to her surprise a friendship develops between Fiyero and Elphaba. Glenda sets about to try to transform Elphaba to be more like her. But Elphaba has other ideas especially when she finds out how the animals of Oz are being treated after witnessing something that happens to one of her professors. She is determined to see the Wizard to see what she can do. Not to spoil the surprise, you will just have to see the show yourself.

Writer Stephen Schwartz based the hit musical on the book of the same name by Winnie Holzman. Stephen has also worked on musicals such as Pippin, Godspell, Fossee, and Rags. Just like Avenue Q, the critics ripped into this. In 2004 they also swept the Tony’s with 9 nominations and 3 wins including Best Actress in a Musical for Menzel. It had 10 Drama Desk nominations and 7 wins to include Best Musical. Its musical score includes such hits as Popular, I’m Not That Girl, and Defying Gravity .

When the show came out it was certainly aimed at the typical theater fan (over 50) and families. But soon something unexpected emerged. It struck a cord with young girls. They got the message that was being sent out that. That message is simple….it’s ok to be the outsider. During the last song of the first act when Elphaba is up on that riser belting out Defying Gravity you can’t help but cheer when she sings out

to those who’d ground me, take a message back from me, I’m defying gravity.

In the end Elphaba the green, outcast, has become a beloved icon. After all who of us hasn’t felt like an outside at some point in our lives.

This touring cast was just amazing but as most cases there were a few outstanding actors. Carmen Cusack plays Elphaba to perfection. She originally hails from the Chicago cast and has performed as Fatine (Le Miz), Christine (Phantom), and Rizzo (Grease). Katie Rose Clarke plays Glinda where she channels her inner Kristen Chinoweth and a bit of Elle Woods from Legally Blond. She has performed as Clara Johnson in Lights from the Piazza. Both were just absolutely delightful.

For a great behinds the scenes look at this amazing show check out the great DVD Show Business..The Road to Broadway . This documentary focuses on 4 new shows in 2003. It highlights 2 successful shows (Avenue Q and Wicked) and two that failed (Caroline or Change and Taboo).

Great Wicked Resources

www.ibdb.com for all things Broadway.
www.wickedthemusical.com for the shows official website

Broadway Musicals …The 101 Greatest Shows of all Time (keep in mind it is missing the Lion King so if certainly isn’t complete). Ken Bloom and Frank Vlastnick. 2004. Black Dog Publishers.

Wicked..The Grimmerie .David Cote. 2005. Hyperion Publishing.

DVD documentary Show Business…The Road to Broadway

To see Kristen and Idina’s magical performance just go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpVuH663PfI.

Though this musical was not a hot with the critic, it continues to be a hit with audiences worldwide. The touring companies are breaking records where ever they go. Tickets are selling out within a matter of hours. In Charlotte they were sold out within 2 hours. Thankfully I had my tickets for weeks when they went on sale to the general public. And according to the show business DVD, the show makes a million dollars per week! Keep in mind that figure was before the touring shows. In our sports obsessed world what team can claim that fete! Yet another reason to keep the arts in our schools.

This show is just amazing. I had high hopes when I came to see it and this show was way beyond what I was excepting. I fell in love with it instantly. Defying Gravity and it is on my Mp3 player and I play it all the time. I am planning a trip next year with my aunt to see it again. And probably just like The Lion King I will no doubt plan on many trips to come. So expect to see more reviews of this must-see show.

Any Broadway fan worth his or her weight in Playbills knows who Idina Menzel is. She has had quite a successful Broadway career first originating the role of Maureen Johnson in Rent and later the role of Elphaba in Wicked. So the minute I found out she was in Charlotte I had to go see her.

Idina was performing at Spirit Square to support her new album I Stand . While Idina has been working for years as a singer, it was the first time she was able to write and perform her own music. She worked with producer Glen Ballard who has also worked with artists such as Celine Dion, Annie Lennox, and Alanis Morrisette. She was a former rock singer who has returned to her roots with lots of pop tunes and a few ballads through in. Several of her songs carry very powerful messages. The title song I Stand which speaks about standing up for your self even if you feel different (which sounds an awful lot like Elphaba). Songs like Better To Have Loved, Brave, and Gorgeous are all amazing and wonderful songs. She had a great rapport with the audience and spoke of her days as a wedding singer and even performed several Jewish songs telling us she never had her Bat Mitzvah as she dropped out of Hebrew school and even gave the background on the songs. She also got the audience laughing as Sprit Square was a former church with beautiful stained glass windows within the theater. She even sang some of her wedding songs including Embraceable You and the Girl from Impinoma .

She performed for about almost 2 hours and had her own band. No you may wonder if she does a medley of songs from her two award winning Broadway show. She only performs two songs, one from each show. She and her band perform the very powerful Life Support from Rent and her signature song Defying Gravity only at a much slower pace and we ended up with a sing along with Idina. Her voice was just amazing and she was as beautiful as you can imagine. She is a flawless performer who warmly engages her audience.

Idina has had an amazing career in Broadway. Unlike many people she never spent years in dance classes and working with voice coaches nor did she have to pay her dues working in a slew of ensemble parts before landing that one career defying role. Instead she was playing the club circuit with her band and still working as a wedding singer. In 1995 she won the part of Maureen Johnson, the bi-sexual performance artist, in RENT. That cast would go on to be one of the most successful casts in Broadway history. The original cast included the yummy Adam Pasqual who went on to also originate another successful role. that of Radames in AIDA. The very handsome Jessie L Martin of Law and Order fame. It also included Taye Diggs who she has been married to since 2003. In 2005 she along with most of the original cast of RENT reprised their roles for the movie version.

Now of that wasn’t enough for one person, she wasn’t done with Broadway. In 2003 she originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked. She would later go onto to originate the role in the London cast. She also won the 2004 Tony for actress in a musical for her role. She also received a Drama nomination for best actress. In addition she was nominated in 1995 for a Tony for her role of Maureen in RENT. She can also been seen in the Disney move Enchanted .

Her show was just amazing and I was very glad for the chance to see her. I hated I didn’t get to met her. I was going to "stage door" (basically stand at the stage door for autographs) until we found out she was doing a meet and greet for pass holder for the next 90 minutes and my feet were already screaming at me for the half a block walk from the parking lot. But if you join her fan club you can be among those to meet her.

Parental Advice . If your daughter just luuuuuvvvess Elphaba, remember you are going to the person who originated the role. You are not going to see a shorter version of the stage show with Elphaba up on her riser belting out Defying Gravity in that upbeat tempo in the show. Make sure they are not going hoping to see that. Make sure they are happy going with going to see Idina in concert. A couple beside of me had a young daughter was non stop about Wicked and Elphaba and how she just loooved Elphaba. When Idina came out she whined and complained loudly about wanting to see Elphaba. They finally left the rest of us to enjoy the concert.

Information/resources

www.idinamenzel.com her official website.

DVD documentary Show Business…The Road to Broadway

RENT 2005. Sony productions.

To see Idina in RENT go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThCpLnuRzM

Wicked http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J72thWNW6PE

For a night with one of Broadways brightest stars make sure you come check out Idina.

Jesus Christ Superstar was one of the first of what would be a long list of successful Broadway shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Webber would go on to produce such mega hits as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Evita, CATS, and the Phantom of the Opera . All of which I have seen many, many times over. Come to think of it, I have spent enough on Mr. Webber that I think I am entitled to have my name on wing in his house. Or at least my own named room!

The title of the show should give you a hint as to what the show is about. It is of course about the life of Jesus Christ and in particular his last days, his death and consequently his resurrection, and his relationship with Judas. It is also a story about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. It also takes a look at Mary Magdalene and Pontius Pilate.

Now technically Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is the first show for Andrew Lloyd Webber. It would premier in April of 1968 at the Colet Court School in Hammersmith. But it would not be until 1973 before it would show up in the West End. Meanwhile with the success of shows like Tommy , Webber and lyrists Tim Rice, went to work on their own rock opera and in 1970 the original cast recording of Jesus Christ Superstar was released to the public and featured Ian Gillian from Deep Purple as Jesus, disco diva Yvonne Elliman as Mary and Murray Head (remember One Night in Bancock?). It sold more than 12 million copies.
In October of 1971 the show opened on Broadway and featured Elliman once again as Mary and Ben Vereen as Judas. The West End opening followed the following year. In 1973 the movie version appeared with Elliman once again playing Mary, Carl Anderson as Judas, and Ted Neeley as Jesus. I had the pleasure of seeing Anderson perform as Judas in the touring version with Sebastian Bach as Jesus.

The show was a huge success even though it courted controversy. Many claimed in was blasphemous, others claimed it was anti-semantic, and other claimed in would lead young people down the wrong path. One just simply needs to watch the show and see the ardor in the show to know none of these statements are true. The hauntingly beautiful I Don’t Know How to Love him is full of passion over Mary’s dilemma. Everything’s all Right is an upbeat and wonderful song and songs such as What’s The Buzz and Superstar still resonate the powerful message of this show more than 30 years later. In 1972 it was nominated for 5 Tony Awards and was nominated for a won the Theater World Awards for Ben Vereen as Best Actor in a Musical. It also garendered Webber a Drama Desk award as most Promising Composer.

Even if you have never seen one of Andrew’s shows, you have no doubt heard his name. For more than 30 years he has given us such amazing shows as Joseph, Evita, CATS, Sunset Blvd, Phantom of the Opera . 2 of his shows have the distinction of being amongst the longest running shows with the Phantom still on Broadway and the West End. Many of his shows are still touring. More than 20 million people have seen one of his shows. In fact even as you are reading this, someone, somewhere is watching an Andrew Lloyd Webber show. In 1992 he was knighted for his contribution to the arts and in 2006 he was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. He has received numerous Tony, Grammy, and other awards. For more information on Andrew and his many amazing shows you can go to www.reallyuseful.com.

Tim Rice is the award winning composer who has also worked with Webber on Joseph and Evita . In addition he has worked with Elton John and the smash hit The Lion King and Aida . Like Webber he was knighted in 1994 for his contributions. For more information on Rice you can go to http://www.timrice.co.uk/mt.html.

Ok so back to the show. I have seen this show many times and this was just an amazing cast. Despite the age of this show, it just never seems to show its age. Its message is just as meaningful as when it was first presented to audiences. Of course it was a thrill to see Ted Neeley and Corey Glover in their roles of Jesus and Judas.

As I mentioned earlier, Neeley was in the original 1973 movie and has returned to the stage to reprise his role. He appeared as Jesus on both the NY stage as well as in the LA cast. In addition he has worked in Hair. Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club, and Tommy . He has been in several movies and TV shows and is currently working on his own musical. For more information go to http://www.neeleyontheroad.com.

Corey Glover may be more known to audiences as the lead singer for the hard rocking band, Living Color. The Grammy winning band turned out such hits as Cult of Personality and Time’s Up . He has also worked in several movies. His previous stage work includes Godspell and Fallen Angels . And talk about a performer. Wow! He is just mesmerizing as the conflicted Judas and his voice is just incredible.

While Neeley was great I must admit I am conflicted. Ted is a consummate performer who brought one of the most dramatic performances to this role that I have seen in a while. His voice is just resounding and as sexy as the first time he brought the role to life. Now I have no problems with originals returning to their roles. I mean I am already a bit heady over the fact that Anthony Rapp and Adam Pasqual are reprising their roles as Mark and Roger when they pull into town with RENT in January. And oh my lordie if Jessie L Martin were with them to reprise Tom Collins I would have to buy tickets for every night. If somehow or other the Broadway gods smiled and Michael Crawford were to come to Charlotte next summer with the Phantom, I would shout so loud IGO readers in California would say "did I hear someone say Michael Crawford will be touring in the Phantom".

Here is the thing though. RENT deals with 20 something and Anthony and Adam aren’t to far from the age and can still pass for younger. I have never read or heard that the Phantom is a certain age, and it wouldn’t matter anyway as he is disfigured and wears a mask. But Jesus Christ Superstar is based on a real person and we all know Jesus was 32 when he was murdered. While at 65, Ted doesn’t look his age, well..he can’t pass for 32. He looks more like Jesus’ father than Jesus. Up to now the oldest person I have seen play Jesus is Sebastian Bach who can still pass 32. The actors who have played Jesus have always been just gorgeous. Leaving me thinking "Jesus is hot". Then I go home and say several Hail Mary’s. Keep in mind, I’m not Catholic. But how often do you see an original?

The tours website; www.thejcstour.com

To see Ted in JCSS go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHoTOgeNWE

While the music is rocking and the show sometimes looks like a Vegas stage show, it is none the less a heartfelt look at the life of Jesus. And if you’re lucky, you can catch an original too.

Now in my 40's my musical tastes have come full circle. I listed to James growing up and here I am still listing to him. Though quite honestly I have never stopped listening to him. So when he pulled into Charlotte this summer, I couldn’t wait to go.

James and his band of legends were in town at the Verizion Wireless Amphitheatre under the Carolina stars for a great night of music and sing alongs. James sang a collection of his own songs as well as others. He covered everybody from the Dixie Chicks, the Temptations, Junior Walker, to a version of Hound Dog the way Big Mama Thornton performed it, not Elvis.
During the first set he performed such covers as Why Baby Why, Wichita Lineman and even Oh What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma . The he performed his classics such as Mexico, You’ve Got a Friend, and Country Road . After intermission James and his band delighted fans with such songs as Sweet Baby James, Shower the People, and Steamroller Blues. Of course this being NC, he couldn’t go without singing Carolina on My Mind . Thankfully he started out the encore with it and had the audience singing right along. Right after that I left to make the long treck back to my car.

For more than 40 years has been proving his fans with sweet sounds. He has sold over 40 million records. He has 40 gold and platinum albums and 5 Grammy awards. Billboard Magazine awarded him their Century Award in 1998. He is in both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2006 he was the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences MUSICARES Person of the Year.

While James is often labeled as folk music or rock music, his fans seem to seem to come from all walks of life. The one thing they have in common is everyone is at the show to enjoy themselves. There are no fighting, drunks, or other misbehaving idiots. Just a bunch of talent-loving fans. James fans also run the gamut in age ranges. I saw several young children there with their parents who sang along with Jaime’s songs just like mom and dad.

James and his band of legends performed for somewhere around 2 hours. All these many years later and James’s voice is still as smooth as always. The show was terrific and thankfully no one was opening for them. Now when you go to see James Taylor, don’t expect a lavish stage show and backup dancers. It’s just James, his guitar, that wonderful voice, and his equally talented band. And that is just the way fans like it. Or at least at this show. Fans sang along with James and shouted and cheered, but no one out of control. During their 20 minute break James comes out and signed autographs for fans. Unfortunately for me the only bad thing about this concert was that there had been a water line break earlier and bathrooms were limited to about half a dozen porta-a-poties and I spend most of the intermission in the bathroom line and missing a change to shake hands with one of my favorite singers.

Despite the lack of bathrooms the night couldn’t have been more perfect. I was watching one of my favorite singers performing under this balmy Carolina night, singing to my favorite songs, and just having a terrific night out. If your looking for a great night out then makes sure that if James is in town, you go see him.

For more information go to www.jamestaylor.com.

Ok now you have tickets for the big show, but now where do I have to be at? Now you may wonder why wouldn’t you know where to go. But it isn’t as easy at that. Especially when it comes to the performing arts center. So to help you with the confusion here is a guide to the venues.

The performing arts

This is where most of the confusion comes in. I know more than one person who has arrived at 7:55 for an 8:00 Broadway show only to discover the show was at Ovens Auditorium which is about 20 minutes away. The reason is most of the shows are held at Blumenthal so most people assume they all are.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
In November 1992, after 3 years of construction, Charlotte finally had a state of the art performing arts center with Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The center is home of the Stanford Lights Broadway series and is where most of the shows are performed. In addition the center is home to the Charlotte Symphony, Opera Carolina, NC Dance Theater, Carolina Voices, Carolina Concert Association, ArtsTech, Light Factory, and Community School of the Arts.

The main theater here is the Belk Theater. The theater holds 2,100 patrons I love this place because they have those delightful box seats which make it easy to quickly pop in and out during a show. The show is set up in a horse shoe configuration for optimal acoustics. The seats in the back are still only 135 feet from the stage. The center also includes Booth Playhouse which seats 434 people and the Stage Door which seats 100. The center has 2 levels with bathrooms and concessions on each level. Belk Theater also now allows patrons to enjoy their beverages in their sets and they have where you can order and pay for your drink before the show and then pick it up during intermission.

Parking There are numerous PAID parking lots in the downtown area. The most commonly used is the Bank of America parking deck across from the theater. At one time there was a walkway from the parking deck to the building. Currently the deck is undergoing major construction and at some point the walkway will be available again. There are also numerous other parking lot in the area and parking meters on the street.

Charlotte has recently started use of their light rail system. Many people like to park at Seventh Street Station which also has restruants and then take the light rail which lets off near the theater. For more information on that go to http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/About+Us/home.htm.
You can pre pay for parking when you purchase your tickets when you purchase your ticket and it includes parking at the Bank of America Parking and several others.

Dining options . For a nice time out before the show , Charlotte offers plenty of dining options. Restruants within walking distance include the Buckhead Saloon, Fuel Pizza, Aquivina, Sonoma, RiRa Irish Pub, Mimosa Grill, and Brixx Pizza. And if you want to leave the work to someone else, well you can also purchase dinner packages when you purchase your tickets as well.

What your tickets should say if you’re going here: Belk Theater 130 N Tyron.

Now most of the shows these season perform at Belk except Legally Blond the musical and RENT. This year there are some great shows coming including Chicago, Mama Mia, Riverdance, The Color Purple, Burn the Floor, and Phantom of the Opera . For more information go to www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Ovens Auditorium

There is nothing that upsets people more than when they look and see they have to go to Ovens Auditorium to see a show. It’s a combination of the location, the parking, and for me the fact it doesn’t have my box seats. I like being able to move out quietly when the ladies room comes calling.

The theater is over 40 years old and has recently been renovated. But unlike a lot of other theaters that have been restored to their former glory, there is just nothing spectacular about this place. The theater isn’t glamorous and just basic. The building can accommodate over 2,400 theater goes. Which is why it is often used instead of the Belk Theater. It holds 385 more people allowing even more fans to see their favorite show. So when shows such as Wicked or next year with Legally Blond are expected to sell out, they use Ovens to have more room. I was also told by one art center employee that Ovens has a bigger stage and shows like Wicked with massive stages could not fit into Blumenthal. That one I have my doubts about. While I don’t know the exact specs of either The Lion King or Wicked , I would certainly think The Lion King stage was as big or bigger than Wicked . The only good thing about the place is the way the floor rises. Even when you have seats at the back of the floor you can still see the stage without any problems.

Parking Ovens does have its own paid parking lot. Part of the problem is there are only two entrances to leave from and it empties out a major road in Charlotte. Heaven forbid there also happens to be something going on next door at Cricket Arena and/or The Merchandise Center all which share the same parking lot. Just like at Blumenthal you can pre pay for parking when you purchase your ticket.

Dining options . Again with the location. Ovens’ is located on Independence Blvd with not much around. Since Valentino’s left years ago about the only thing close by is a Denny’s. There is an Olive Garden not to far from the building, but since it about the only place around to eat there is always a very long wait. There are some places near Eastland Mall. Over the years though this place has just continued to decline and I wouldn’t recommend the area after dark. You can purchase dinner packages with the Ovens shows, but they will be downtown. There is plenty of food to be found uptown, further down on Independence, or off Albemarle Rd. If you’re going to eat before the show just make sure to leave out in plenty of time.

www.blumenthalcenter.org

www.ovensauditorium.com

Your ticket should say: Ovens Auditorium 2700 E. Independent Blvd.

Spirit Square

Now some smaller shows will perform at Spirit Square. This is where I saw Idina Menzel and in the past shows such as Rockapella and flamenco dancers and where I saw renowned author and criminal profiler, John Douglas, speak. This center actually started life in 1909 as the First Baptist Church. In the 1970 the congregation moved to another church but wanted the historical building to remain. Amazingly enough Charlotte didn’t bulldoze it and instead in 1976 turned it into arts center. In 1997 it became part of Blumenthal.

The McGlohen Theater holds 716 theater goers. This is part of the original church and the theater once served as the sanctuary. The incredibly beautiful stained glass windows have been left in tact and add to the beauty of this unique venue. Now in additional to the beauty another great thing is with less than a thousand people it is a more intimate experience. When you have someone like Idina who sits down to talk with her audience it really does allow the performer and their audience to connect. Also there is not a bad seat in the house. Also part of Spirit Square is the Duke Energy Center which holds 182.

Parking Spirit Square does have its own parking lot but the parking is very limited. Since it is only about a 5 minute walk from Blumenthal, you can park in all the same places for Blumenthal.

Dining Just check Blumenthal above since the same restruants are nearby.

Website: www.blumenthalcenter.org.

What your ticket will say: McGlohen or Duke Energy Center 345 N. Collage Ave.

Now Charlotte is quite active in the arts and lots of shows are going on all the time. There are a number of smaller venues throughout the city as well. They especially come into play with events like the Novello Fest or Shout which are coming up over the next few months. So don’t assume, always check where you show is playing.

Concert venues

While there isn’t a lot of confusion when it comes to concert venues, I have know a couple of people in the summer months to show up at Verizon wireless thinking since it was warm the show would be outside only to find they should be 20 minutes away at the Bobcats arena. I have also an alternative name listed in parentheses as that is what it may be known to other people since these places often change names.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Blockbuster Pavilion )
From about March until around October, concert fans can enjoy the sounds of their favorite performers under the Carolina skies at Verizon Wireless and some still know it as its former name Blockbuster Pavilion. The venue is a combination of canopy covered seats as well as an open lawn where around 19, 500 fans can bake out on a blanket or their favorite lawn chair. The covered area is reserved seating and lawn seat is general admission and you can get these seats for as little as $20 pp. They have some seating that is part of lawn seating where you can actually see better than the back reserved seats. They have had some great shows over the years here and I have seen such great acts like Tina Turner, The Beach Boys, Boston, Elton John, Anita Baker, and one combo of Chicago, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Kool and The Gang.

Parking The venue does have its own parking and parking is included in the price of your ticket. You can purchase VIP parking passes which will get you close to the building. Just make sure you don’t park at the nearby movie theater or you may come back out to find your car gone.

Dining options As far as walking distance, there is nothing nearby. The closest restruants are only fast food places. But you’re close to the university area as well as the Concord Mills area. Here you will find tons of dining options from local favorites, all the favorite fast food places, and everyone favorite chains.
http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/115

What your ticket will say: Verizon Wireless 707 Pavilion Blvd.

Time Warner Cable Arena (Bobcats arena)

Quite frankly I can’t think of anyone who calls this anything other than Bobcats arena or snidely as the Uptown arena given Charlottes penance for coliseums. Now I have a whole dissertation on Charlotte and its sports arenas. Three years ago the Bobcats area was built to replace the new coliseum that was less than 20 years old. At the time we had the Charlotte Hornets (now New Orleans has them) and the powers to be were greedy and wanted a coliseum with more VIP boxes and hence we got the Bobcats arena. This is home to the team, the Charlotte Checkers, and often concerts. The venue accommodates up to around 18,200 music lovers. Now I have no idea when they built this place they didn’t build it bigger to have a bigger place for concerts. Despite Charlotte’s size, it is often overlooked as a concert arena for bigger shows. Bigger performers often overlook Charlotte for the Greensboro Coliseum (23,000) and The RBC Center in Raleigh (19,500). And the really big shows go to Atlanta (like Tina Turner). But hey when it comes to Broadway we still get the big shows!

www.timewarnercablearena.com

Parking . There is parking at the arena and next door at the Bank of American parking lot as well as numerous places though the uptown area and it is near the light rail station as well. Now I have never seen a concert here, but when we get tickets to the Checkers we are able to pre pay for parking.


Dining options This is in the uptown Charlotte so dining options abound from every taste and to fit ever budget. Just see my Blumenthal entry for information.

What your ticket should say: Time Warner Cable Arena 333 E. Trade St.

So there you go. Next time you’re going to a show just look at your ticket before you head out. It will save you from missing part of your favorite show.