Arts center announces season
Published 11:11 pm Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Renee Perry Mitchell’s very first dance recital was on the stage at Suffolk High School when she was only 2.
It’s coming full circle this year for the former Radio City Rockette, who has moved back to her hometown and operates RPM Dance in North Suffolk.
Mitchell will partner with the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, the renovated high school where she once performed, to present “42nd Street,” a tap musical set in the 1930s and originally performed on Broadway.
It will be the finale act for the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts’ 2013-2014 season, which was announced in an event for invited guests on Wednesday evening.
In addition to “42nd Street,” which will hit the stage for four performances in June, other popular acts are set to include comedian Jeanne Robertson, the USAF Heritage of America Band, “The Nutcracker Suite” and accompanying Sugarplum Tea by Ballet Virginia International, Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, Masters of Motown, children’s musical “One Night in Frogtown” and more.
“It’s something for everybody,” Director Jackie Cherry said.
Also in the lineup are regular performances by the Children’s Theatre of Hampton Roads, the Virginia Opera and Virginia Symphony, a variety of movies and art and wine workshops, a “River Talk” by the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, bluegrass music, gallery openings — including one showcasing Planters Peanuts memorabilia in honor of the company’s 100th anniversary in Suffolk — and more.
Mitchell said she is excited about the production of “42nd Street,” which she said will allow auditions from the community for principal roles.
“It’s just a really wonderful opportunity to bring this size and caliber of a production to Suffolk,” she said.
Coming up the soonest is the gallery opening for the Planters Peanuts exhibit. Cherry said curators Nancy Kinzinger and Debbie Hill have gathered items from across the country to include.
“We’re going to have lots of traffic for that,” Cherry said.
It opens Sept. 14.
Cherry also announced Wednesday the center recently renewed its lease with the Mosaic restaurant on the first floor, which she said “really makes a difference to the center.”
To view the full schedule or purchase tickets, visit www.suffolkcenter.org.