Flat Rock Playhouse production of Jesus Christ Superstar, 2024
By Gina Malone
The 2025 season at Flat Rock Playhouse (FRP) includes a roster of world-class musical performances, a Tony Award-winning musical and mysteries both thrilling and hilarious. Subscriptions and individual tickets are on sale now.
Like many places in Western North Carolina, the FRP grounds suffered hurricane damage including downed trees and the loss of crucial services. In addition, with damaged and washed-away roads in the area, it was necessary to close for six weeks and to cancel two full productions, an especially hard knock after the closures necessitated by COVID just a few seasons ago. FRP was able, however, to reopen in time for the traditional and beloved A Playhouse Christmas in December, and before that to take a small group of Playhouse performers and artisans to the audiences.
“Even though we couldn’t produce shows for a few weeks on the Rock, we knew we could and wanted to bring theatre to our town and patrons and residents,” says Lisa K. Bryant, FRP’s artistic director. “Particularly, we wanted to support the kiddos who were out of school for an extended period and/or who had lost their homes. It was important that we serve alongside all of the amazing people who were helping in every way they could throughout the community. This was our skill set and we were thrilled to do our part.” This Playhouse Jr. Rock Out initiative toured the region with a traveling concert, puppet-making classes and readings for children.
“We are opening the MainStage 2025 season with CATS,” says Bryant. “We had so many folks disappointed that we had to cancel the show this past fall, so we’re thrilled to deliver on that offering this year.” On the schedule also will be the Tony Award-winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the story of the legendary singer-songwriter, and an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, two productions that many patrons have requested. Another mystery played out on stage will be The Play That Goes Wrong, which, Bryant says, “is the funniest play I have ever seen, and people will literally be in (joyful) pain from laughing so hard.”
Musical productions include this month’s Mixtape Vol. 2: The Music of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, with performances Thursday, February 20, through Sunday, February 23. Performances throughout the season include Shades of Bublé: A Three-Man Tribute to Michael Bublé; Stairway to Zeppelin; MJ: The Illusion: Re-living the King of Pop; Autumn at the Opry Vol. 2; Yellow Brick Joel: The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John; and John Lloyd Young: Broadway’s Jersey Boy.
This season at Flat Rock Playhouse, says Bryant, is a mix of “music, laughter and excellent storytelling—Broadway quality with Southern hospitality.”
Flat Rock Playhouse is located at 2661 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 90 minutes prior to shows. Tickets are available at 828.693.0731 or online at FlatRockPlayhouse.org, where a complete schedule of performances and dates can be found.
