Events Performing Arts

Curvy Widow: The Musical

Curvy Widow The Musical at NC Stage

Nancy Opel as Bobby (Photo by Amy Milstein)

Curvy Widow: The Musical Comes to NC Stage November 2–20

This month, North Carolina Stage Company brings the world premiere of Curvy Widow: The Musical to Asheville. The play, based on the book by Bobby Goldman, stars Nancy Opel and features upbeat and catchy music and lyrics by Drew Brody. The show runs Wednesday, November 2, through Sunday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

In this sassy, frank and witty musical inspired by author Goldman’s actual life, Bobby (Opel) finds herself alone for the first time in several decades when she loses the man she’s been married to since age 22. Navigating a whole new world of technology, dating and independence, the 50-something widow learns the hard way what it means to start life over in the modern age.

“It’s unlike anything else we have scheduled for the season,” says audience development manager Allison Wilson. “Bobby, our short and curvy author, is five feet of pure energy and sharp wit! Her autobiographical writing, paired with Nancy Opel’s acting and mixed in with the music and direction—well, it’s going to be a production you won’t want to miss.”

Opel is best known for her Broadway performances of Honeymoon in Vegas, Sunday in the Park with George and Teddy & Alice. She is joined in Curvy Widow by a cast that includes Andrea Bianchi, Laura Dean, Philip Hoffman, MaryAnn Hu, Christopher Shyer and Tom Treadwell. The artistic team includes director Peter Flynn, original choreography by Marcos Santana, casting by Stewart/Whitley, costumes by Brian Hemesath, musical direction by Andrew Sotomayor, and orchestrations by Wayne Barker. The crew of local designers includes Andrew Mannion, CJ Barnwell, Matthew Nielson and Jessica Tandy Kammerud.

“NC Stage has the unique opportunity,” says Wilson, “to present the hilarious and heartwarming Curvy Widow for its Asheville audiences and to play a key role in the journey of a musical being developed for future commercial productions. We are excited to see this show on its feet.”

North Carolina Stage Company is located at 15 Stage Lane in downtown Asheville. For information about pricing and to purchase tickets, visit ncstage.org or call 828.239.0263.

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