The response to the second year of Judson Theatre Company’s Summer Theatre Festival was even greater than we had hoped. Once again, we produced six continuous weeks of professional theatre at Bradshaw Performing Arts Center’s intimate McPherson Theater. All three productions enjoyed sold out runs.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change kicked off the Festival, July 21-30. Performances were added to accommodate the demand.
The cast of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Photo credit: DavidNSinclairPhotography.com)
The second show was one that’s been on the list for a while, but we had to wait until we found the right actor. We did! Linda Purl is amazing on the stage and off. Her phenomenal performance in Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking is something to behold and cherish. JTC was most fortunate to be able to bring Ms. Purl to Pinehurst for this show after her triumphant London engagement earlier this year. Though initially we had concerns about the show’s subject matter being too weighty for a summertime audience, the production sold out every performance, with a combination of returnees and new audience members.
Linda Purl in The Year of Magical Thinking (Photo credit: DavidNSinclairPhotography.com)
The festival concluded with Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years in a production starring two JTC returning favorites, Jacob Pressley and Danielle Standifer (her fourth show at JTC in a year!). It’s a show packed with gorgeous music that makes people examine every romantic relationship they’ve ever had. Again, a challenging show (in some ways) for a summer audience, but sold out performances were the order of the day. (August 18-27)
Jacob Pressley and Danielle Standifer in The Last Five Years, with Kevin Wallace (Musical Director). Photo credit: DavidNSinclairPhotography.com
All in all, a wonderful summer, with very special thanks to both the McPhersons and Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Watch this space for the announcement of next summer’s shows!