Featured image for post: “Head Over Heels” Coming to Barton’s Kennedy Stage March 23-26

“Head Over Heels” Coming to Barton’s Kennedy Stage March 23-26

WILSON, N.C. — February 21, 2023 — Theatre at Barton is thrilled to present a bold new musical “Head Over Heels” in the Kennedy Family Theatre on the Barton College campus on March 23-25 at 7:30 p.m., with an additional Sunday matinee performance on March 26 at 3 p.m.

This jukebox musical is satirically set in the Renaissance, featuring music of The Go-Go’s, an iconic all-girl rock band of the 1980s. The production includes their hit songs “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips are Sealed,” “Vacation,” Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You,” and more.

Sherry Lee Allen, director of Theatre at Barton, explains that the show is based on Philip Sidney’s “The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia.” The Royal Court is threatened by the mystical Oracle of Delphi with the loss of its “Beat,” the divine power that ensures the kingdom’s prosperity. King Basilius, whose own title is at stake, forces the members of the royal family and court on a journey to the woods in an attempt to escape the Oracle’s seemingly unavoidable prophecies. Through a plot containing usurped kingship, unlikely lovers, and gender-fluid disguises, “Head Over Heels” encourages unconditional love and acceptance of self and others, regardless of gender or sexual identity.

“Fun music and fantasy story-telling, with PG-13 humor and surprises, will let you fall head over heels in love with these pop rock hits of the late 20th century all over again,” shared Allen.

Barton College will host several guest artists for this production, directed by Allen and assisted by NYC dancer, singer and choreographer, Becky Layko.

The set and lighting design will be overseen by Michael Dornemann, props and wardrobe will be supervised by Dorothy Austin-Harrell, with original costume design by East Carolina Univeristy’s Noah Joyner. Blythe Evans is the vocal and music director, with musicians from Triple Wide: Dale Bryce, Stephen Stewart, David Daniels and Barton’s Ronnie Raper.

The talented cast of the production includes Barton College students Xavier McCreary, Jordan Peartree, Alyssa Krasovich, Monica Shaver, Christian Hodges, Ella Beute, and Ashley Keefe ’20 B.A. Theatre graduate. Additional community artists include Linda Barrera-Gil, Skylar McKinney, Amy Hawke, Jah’Mez Moore and Angel Johnson.

Tickets are $12 for Adults, $6 for Seniors and Military, and $10 for Barton Faculty and Staff. Reservations are required in advance at http://www.barton.edu/theatre. Barton Students will be admitted free with their ID, but need to reserve their seats online.

For more information contact Sherry Lee Allen at slallen@barton.edu.

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