News

Local celebrities team with pros for Playhouse benefit

Theatre with the Stars contestants are, from left, top, Bob Williford, Bobby Wilkins, Ruth Birge, Tiffany Ervin, Steve Katsadouros, Fair Waggoner and Charlie McDonald.

By Bill Moss, Published: March 27, 2015

They're hardly professionals but they are good sports.

Seven well-known community and business leaders will take the stage at the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown on April 11 to perform with a professional actor and raise money for Playhouse education programs.
Patterned after the "Dancing with the Stars" competition on television, "Theatre with the Stars" features preshow voting and a live performance by the amateur but game stars.
"Every one of our stars has been amazing," Flat Rock Playhouse Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant in a news release. "They may truly be the coolest bunch of people we could possibly have gathered," says Bryant. "It's going to be a spectacular cocktail party with live entertainment provided by the best of our community who are going to dazzle everyone. You do not want to miss this one-time only performance."
The contestants are:
• Tiffany Ervin, owner of Morning Glory Productions & Elite Repeats Boutique; Professional Partner Ralph Redpath; Charity, Four Seasons Rotary Club's Charitable Foundation.
• Ruth Birge, executive director, United Way of Henderson County; Professional Partner Steve Carlisle; Charity, United Way of Henderson County.
• Charlie McDonald, Henderson County sheriff; Professional Partner Scott Treadway; Charity, DARE Camp.
• Fair Nabers Waggoner, City President, United Community Bank; Professional Partner Preston Dyar; Charity, Henderson County Young Leaders.
• Bobby Wilkins, Hendersonville High School principal; Professional Partner Lisa K. Bryant; Charity, HopeRX.
• Steve Katsadouros, Hot Dog World & Yogurt World owner, Professional Partner Paige Posey; Charity, Interfaith Assistance Ministry.
• Bob Williford, Chamber of Commerce executive director, Professional Partner, Angie Flynn-McIver, Charity, Henderson County Young Leaders.
Hosted by WTZQ's Mark Warwick with additional entertainment provided by Pat's School of Dance, Theatre with the Stars promises a night of excitement and entertainment
"Each one will come out and they'll perform their scene that they've been rehearsing on their own," said Playhouse marketing director Dane Whitlock. "We'll have people that have never really performed on stage. They'll have a show with a band and judges and entertainment."
The winner will be determined by scores based on the judges' evaluation and the amount of money the contestants raised through April 10.
"Whoever makes the money and has the highest judge's score will win," Whitlock said.
Judges are McCray Benson, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Henderson County, WLOS News Anchor Victoria Dunkle, Dr. Scott Donaldson of Pardee Urological Associates and Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk.
The charity chosen by the winner will get a $1,000 check. Proceeds from the pre-show voting and the show will go to Playhouse education programs. The theater amateurs and their professional partners have been rehearsing their scenes.
"They got together on their own and basically decided what they would do," Whitlock said. "They've been rehearsing on their own in various people's living rooms. Lisa Bryant is partnered with Bobby Wilkins and they've been rehearsing at the high school. We're trying to keep everyone kind of separate so they don't know what the others are doing."
To vote on the contestants in advance go to flatrockplayhouse.org, check out videos of the contestants and cast a vote by making a donation. The more you donate, the more your vote counts. Those who wish to vote in person can cast their votes at the Playhouse Downtown on 125 South Main Street by making a donation under the celebrity's name in the theatre lobby.
A preshow cocktail party will take place in the Playhouse Downtown lobby beginning at 6:30 p.m. Catering will be provided by Ingles and the Chef's Kitchen with floral arrangements by Flowers by Larry. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008.