Photo by Lois Greenfield
The Capitol Steps and Parsons Dance Headline DWT Mainstage Series
October is an exciting month as Diana Wortham Theatre’s 2016/2017 Mainstage Series welcomes acclaimed dance troupe Parsons Dance Tuesday, October 18, and Wednesday, October 19, at 8 p.m. and The Capitol Steps grace the stage with their frantic political antics Friday, October 28, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 29, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Flash back to December 1981 when a group of staffers for Senator Charles Percy was planning entertainment for a holiday party. They decided to dig into the headlines of the day, creating song parodies and skits—and found they were quite good at it. Since then, The Capitol Steps have recorded more than 35 albums and can be heard twice a year on NPR radio specials. Satirizing both sides of the political spectrum with material from their latest creation, What to Expect When You’re Electing, the troupe spares no one (and we mean no one!) from its witty and much-needed comic relief just one week before the election.
Most cast members have worked within the political sphere. Take, for example, Bill Hurd, who calls himself ‘Press Secretary General’ for the Capitol Steps. “Our current tour does what we always do: Skewer the news of the day,” he says. “Asheville is gorgeous. But Asheville is also located in North Carolina, a wonderful state that refuses to stay out of the headlines. And you can bet we address that particular ‘issue’ in our show! After all, we don’t run from controversy—we make fun of it.”
One of the world’s leading dance ensembles, Parsons Dance is internationally renowned for its bold, joyous personality and stunning, contemporary works. Founded in 1985 by artistic director David Parsons and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, Parsons Dance is an energetic, athletic troupe with a mission to deliver affirming, life-enriching experiences to audiences worldwide.
“The Asheville community has always welcomed us with open arms,” says Parsons. “We have a spectacular group of artists to share with you all and we are presenting a roller coaster ride of physicality and emotion.” The newest work, Finding Center, showcases music from the Academy Award-nominated composer Thomas Newman and part of the program features compositions of the Dave Mathews Band.
The intimate Diana Wortham Theatre seats a little more than 500 guests and boasts exceptional acoustics and sightlines. Its entrance is marked by the location of the theatre’s marquee between 12 and 14 Biltmore Avenue. Patrons enter through the breezeway between Marble Slab Creamery and White Duck Taco and into a large interior courtyard with multiple glass doors, which lead to the theatre’s lower lobby and box office.
Diana Wortham Theatre is located at 2 South Pack Square in downtown Asheville. It is expected that by the time this magazine is in your hands, there will be limited seating available for the Capitol Steps performances. For more information on the Mainstage Series, a season brochure or to purchase tickets, call the theatre’s box office at 828.257.4530 or visit dwtheatre.com.
