LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
“Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it.”
In 1998, when John Baker died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Cracoe village in Yorkshire, his widow, Angela, faced her grief and anger with the help of her friends, a sense of humor, and…(ahem)…a bit of cheek. The bold sense of fun and affirmation of life in their calendar, which they had begun planning with John to keep his spirits up during the last months of his life, not only raised a lot of money for leukemia research and treatment, but also captured the world’s imagination for a moment. The attention led to more calendars, an American tour, a memoir, a movie, a play, and a musical. In this stage version of the story I wanted to, rather than create an homage to the more widely-known film (made in 2003), pay tribute to the way these daring women (quite literally!) ‘stripped away the inessential’—and, in the process, revealed the secrets to life: friendship, a sense of humor, and a tenacious—even outrageous—embrace of the light.
-Brandi Andrade
MEET THE CAST AND CREW
Tate Albert (JOHN) Tate is a seasoned actor with roles in plays such as Noises Off!, Footloose the Musical, and Oleanna, to name a few. He also has some credits on the technical side involving lighting and sound design. Tate was last seen on stage at HT as a singing/dancing lumberjack in JingleJacks, and in Black Mountain Center for the Arts as Clown #1 in The 39 Steps.
Brandi Andrade (DIRECTOR) Brandi is a recent transplant from Texas. She holds a PhD in theatre and American women’s history from UT Dallas and teaches online courses at UT Arlington. Recent directing projects include one-act plays for festivals in both Asheville and Austin, TX; Stella and Lou at Southwest Theatre Productions in Austin (which garnered four Broadway World Austin award noms); and Calendar Girls for Theatre Arlington in DFW (for which she was awarded the season’s “best production” and “best director” by that theater’s guild). In addition to directing, she’s been in several shows in the Asheville area. Most recently, she was Elizabeth in Book of Will at HART, and Betty in Riveted at The Magnetic. She does her print and broadcast work through Talent Trek.
John Baldwin (ROD) John Baldwin makes his Hendersonville Theatre debut in Calendar Girls. John has performed in theatres around the Bay Area of California for 20+ years and began working as a director several years ago. Since moving to Asheville, he has performed with Montford Park Players and The Magnetic Theatre Company. He is a seasoned performer and director, and his next project will be as the director of HT’s Reader’s Theatre Series’ Production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
CC Blackburn (CHRIS) Born in N. California and schooled in Seattle, CC had a 40 year career in NYC. The first of those years were spent living in Washington Heights-fifth floor walkup. During those salad (ramen noodle) days, she was a sometimes-paid actor (major claim to fame was a Tidy Bowl Lady). But, after a second eviction notice, common sense (and an empty belly) prevailed and she landed in tour and hospitality management. Her last professional job: heading the NYC office of Shagri-La Hotels and Resorts in Asia and the Middle East. A life-long volunteer and community activist, she now spends her time between Blue Ridge Humane Society, the Flat Rock Backpack program, and Friends of Carl Sandburg. When she’s not roaming the globe, she can be found back on stage, most recently as a founding member of HT’s Act2 Players. Her favorite HT Role: Violet Weston in August – Osage County. She’s now in the wings awaiting her first grandchild.
Rowan Duncan (LAWRENCE/LIAM) A Greenville, SC native, Rowan is excited to be back on stage at Hendersonville Theatre. You may have recently seen them on stage at HT in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip) or JingleJacks (Jean Phillipe). Their love of acting sustained them through a BA in Theatre with a focus in Musical Theatre performance, but they also love to direct, costume and set design. Some of Rowan’s favorite roles to date include Charlie Brown (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Polonius (Hamlet), the Writer (The Good Doctor), and Man 2 (Songs for a New World). Rowan currently works in the office at HT as Production Manager.
Annika Knudson (ELAINE) From A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Angels in America to You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Annika has offered a variety of performances throughout their theatre career. Still fairly new to North Carolina, they’re excited to return to the stage after a long hiatus.
Denise Lockett (MARIE) Denise is excited to appear for the first time in a Hendersonville Theatre Production. She was featured recently in Montford Park Players’ Hamlet (Player, Gertrude understudy), Living Dead in Denmark (Witch), and A Winter’s Tale (Emilia), and in Asheville Community Theatre’s The Giver (Mother), The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Ms. Clark), Snowbound (Betty), and Alice in Wonderland (Gryphon), as well as playing Bridget in the Youtube series “PT: Pain and Torture.” Denise is a recovering English major and an attorney with a non-profit, Legal Aid of North Carolina. She lives in Asheville and would like to thank her husband, sons, parents and friends who encourage her theatrical exploits.
Amanda McLoughlin (STAGE MANAGER) Amanda Sims McLoughlin is thrilled to be working her first show at Hendersonville Theatre. She has worked in many theatres throughout Western North Carolina, and for the first time she is working in the city she calls home. Recent past shows include Beautiful Cages at The Magnetic Theatre and The Little Prince at Montford Park Players. When she isn’t at the theatre she can be found making embroidery art, spending time with her wonderful offspring, and knitting in her birthday suit. Thank you for supporting local theatre, and enjoy the show!
Alexandra McPherson (JESSIE) Alexandra has appeared locally with The Autumn Players of Asheville Community Theatre in many of their Readers Theatre Showcase Productions, also with The Montford Park Players, Foothills Community Theatre, and Different Strokes PAC! (resident theatre company at The Wortham Center, Asheville). Alex is delighted to be one of The Calendar Girls, as her beloved Mum was a long time active member of the WI who wholeheartedly supported all their fund raising endeavours. Alex is profoundly grateful to Brandi, and the fabulous cast and crew for the opportunity to make her Hendersonville Theatre debut, and to show audiences that Brits aren’t as prim and proper as one may have been led to believe. P.S. Never underestimate the power of friendship.
Laurie Morris (CELIA) Laurie is counting her lucky stars for being cast as ‘Celia’ in Calendar Girls. She is feeling super enthused with the director, cast, and crew of the Hendersonville Theater and their dedication to artistic excellence!! Laurie started her acting training at Northwestern University and California Institute of the Arts and then continued in NYC at the Warren Robertson Studio under Clifford David. Where she had a great time playing Amy Lee Fullernoy in a showcase of Laundry and Bourbon. After getting married, moving to NJ with her talented photographer husband and beginning a new career in Information Technology, she pursued her passion of acting in community theater. Her favorite musical roles included Jennie in Kurt Weill’s Down in the Valley and Irma in Anything Goes. Now retired, she loves spending time in yoga poses or behind the front desk at YAM (Yoga and Massage), taking walks with Bill and their dog Luna and two horses Harry and Maddie. She is in deep gratitude to her amazing husband, Bill and the rest of our family for their love and support.
Beth Norris (CORA) Beth Norris has been involved with Hendersonville Theatre since 2011, during which time she has served in several roles. She currently sits on the Board of Directors at HT. Last seen on stage in 2022’s production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, she has also directed several productions in the Hendersonville and Brevard area. She is very much excited to get back on stage for her first love, performing.
Jennifer Russ (ANNIE) Jen is thrilled to be making her Hendersonville Theatre debut in Calendar Girls! Most recently, Jen played Lydia in Tooth or Dare, an audience-voted favorite piece in the One Act Play Festival at The Magnetic Theater in Asheville, NC. Favorite roles include Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Asheville Community Theater, Nancy in Frozen at HART, Annette in God of Carnage at HART, and M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias at Parkway Playhouse. Jen would like to thank Brandi and the rest of the cast and crew for all of their hard work and enthusiasm for this show. She also wishes to thank Jason, Abby and Mom for their continued support!
Jennifer Treadway (RUTH) Jennifer Treadway is thrilled to be making her Hendersonville Theatre debut! Since 2000 Jennifer has headed up the Theatre Department at Blue Ridge Community College and has directed 40+ productions there. Jennifer has worked as a professional actor and director in Chicago, New Orleans, Louisville, and WNC. She received her BA in Theatre from Berea College and her MFA in Acting from Louisiana State University. She’d like to thank her family for putting up with decades of “theatre hours” and she hopes you enjoy the show.
Joan Rinchisen (BRENDA/LADY CRAVENSHIRE) She is doubly thrilled to be part of this show. Joan was last seen here playing Mrs.Carlisle in a staged reading of Where the Heart Is. A few of her favorite roles have been Patsy Price in Christmas Belles and a few male characters – a Donald Trump impersonation in Grimm Fairy Tales with The Monteford Park Players and Carlino in Wait Until Dark at Brevard Little Theatre. Having grown up watching I Love Lucy, Joan was thrilled to perform the Vitameatavegamin skit during Comedy Nite at Brevard. She studied acting under William Raffeld at UIC; and followed up being an ensemble member of Old World Theatre/Chicago doing some roles as Bessie in Awake and Sing and Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, just to name a few. Until her move her to B-E-A-U-tiful Brevard in 2017! Thanks, Ken, for your loving support.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SHOW SPONSORS
UPCOMING SHOWS & EVENTS
Original Work: Trillium – MARCH 31-APRIL 2
Original Work’s title will be announced in fall of 2022. Hendersonville Theatre is dedicated to the development of local playwrights, and to the production of innovative new work. Join us as we present our first production developed here in Hendersonville. This world premiere of a new play has been specifically chosen for our audience and our region.
Jon Stickley Trio – APRIL 22
Hendersonville Theatre proudly presents Asheville’s progressive ensemble, the Jon Stickley Trio, as April’s intimate Hometown Sound concert. The Jon Stickley Trio is rooted in bluegrass, but also incorporates Gypsy jazz, grunge, folk-punk and jam-band styles.
Savannah Sipping Society – MAY 5-14
Savannah Sipping Society is a delightful comedy where four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by Fate—and an impromptu happy hour—and decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years.
An Improper Royal Tea Murder – MAY 20-21
It’s time for the Queen’s Palace Party…and not everyone will be making it out alive!!! You are cordially invited to join us for…An Improper Royal Tea Murder. Join us on Saturday, May 20 at 3 p.m. or Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. for an interactive murder mystery theatre with a complimentary Royal Tea included.
Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters – MAY 26
Hendersonville Theatre proudly presents Asheville Americana band, Amanda Anne
Platt & The Honeycutters as May’s intimate Hometown Sound concert. The band’s nuanced music brings insight and wit to the stories Platt tells through songwriting. Lyrically driven, the band’s country roots music often inspires introspection, whether it be about life on the road, heartache or hope.
Original Work: Where the Heart Is – JUNE 3
Written by Brevard playwright Stephen Marsh, Where the Heart Is tells the story of Maria Shaughnessy, who runs an unofficial boarding house that’s home to several elders. All goes well until…
Raunchy Little Musical – JUNE 9-17
Breaking the glass ceiling for Amy Schumer, Joan Rivers and The Marvelous Mrs. Masel, Belle Barth was the original irreverent female comic, Queen of the Borscht Belt, deflating anyone who dared take sex too seriously. Raunchy Little Musical – Belle Barth is Back! is an hilarious and heartfelt show that chronicles the launch of the 50s Queen of Crass.
Rock of Ages – JULY 7-23
Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This jukebox musical features all of your favorite ‘80s rock anthems and power ballads from bands including Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more.
Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues – SEPTEMBER 9
Hendersonville Theatre is welcome back to its Hometown Sound Music Series with Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues for a command performance! Alabama Blues Hall of Fame member Mac Arnold’s first band included James Brown on piano. He toured and recorded with the Muddy Waters Band and recorded LPs with Otis Spann and John Lee Hooker. Mac moved to Los Angeles and produced Soul Train with his friend Don Cornelius. He even played bass on the Sanford & Son television show when he wasn’t playing bass for Otis Redding and B.B. King. After retiring from show business to be an organic farmer, Mac is back with his own band and a “plate full” of CDs, building a new foundation in blues, soul and funk.
Young Frankenstein – OCTOBER 13-29
The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein is the electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches.
A Doll’s House – NOVEMBER 4
Written in 1879 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, A Doll’s House is about a housewife who becomes disillusioned and dissatisfied with her condescending husband.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told – DECEMBER 8-17
In Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!), Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung.