Joyce Dewitt ‘Thrilled’ to Return to Role in ‘A Waffle House Christmas’
Henderson’s own downtown development director Kaine Riggan and special call-in guest and actress Joyce Dewitt were on air for Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.
Riggan, writer, producer and director of the musical comedy “A Waffle House Christmas,” announced that the play will be performed at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson for one night only – Saturday, December 1, 2018 – at 8 p.m.
According to Riggan, approximately 600 of the 1,000 available tickets have already been purchased, and he hopes to see it become a sold-out performance. “I hope it happens for McGregor Hall and for downtown Henderson. That’s our crown jewel!”
The musical, which was first commissioned by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission in 2006, will feature five of the principal actors for the December performance, including Dewitt as Waffle House waitress Rita and country singer T. Graham Brown. Auditions for local actors to round out the cast were held last week.
Dewitt, most well-known for her role as Janet on the sitcom “Three’s Company,” said she was excited to return to this role. “In this case, I had done the play before with Kaine and I know that he is a very wonderful director and I know that he gathers terrific actors together. So the idea of coming back and doing this with a number of wonderful people that I did it with in Nashville was thrilling.”
The setting for the musical is a Waffle House in both the middle of nowhere and in the middle of a blizzard on Christmas Eve. The regular staff and customers are stranded there along with outside visitors. What unfolds are a few secrets, surprises and heartfelt human connections.
“The wonderful thing about these characters that Kaine has written is that they are so human, but what’s going on in their personal story is so meaningful,” said Dewitt. “The audience can relate to each of them.”
“It’s my favorite kind of material – funny, funny, funny – but also, at times, catching and poignant.”
According to Dewitt, when she is first approached about a role she asks herself if she believes in the material and if she can deliver the material in a way that will relate to the audience. She is pleased to have found both in this role.
“When the audience is walking out of the theater, what have we given them? What is in their heart? I genuinely believe this play is a perfect Christmas gift to give the audience.”
To give the gift of this play to yourself and/or a loved one, purchase tickets by:
DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m
CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)
To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.
Heavy Rain Expected Early This Week, No Threat of Winter Weather
-Information courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations and the National Weather Service
The National Weather Service is forecasting a very wet start to the week with upwards of 3 – 4 inches of rain expected in most locations through Tuesday. Urban and small stream flooding is possible. There is a chance for an isolated thunderstorm particularly in the east. Main stem rivers will need to be monitored for potential river flooding later this week.
A second system on Thursday appears to be all liquid at this point despite predicted temperatures very close to freezing in the Triad and VA border counties. Sunny and cool for the weekend. The potential tropical system in the Atlantic poses no threat to central NC at this time.
At this time there is NO threat for impactful winter weather in central NC this week. Triad and VA border counties will have temperatures near freezing for a couple of hours Thursday morning around sunrise. This may possibly be enough to get a pellet or two of sleet on the windshield mixed in with the rain but otherwise should remain all liquid. Even if temperatures do briefly touch 32 degrees, any ice accrual is unlikely because of warm antecedent conditions. Warm ground temperatures and air temperatures prior to the onset of the precipitation would prevent any freezing rain accrual. Temperatures will quickly rise through the 30s after sunrise, further mitigating any chance of winter weather.
Henderson Institute Historical Museum to Host ‘Great Gatsby Gala’ at KLCC
-Information and flyer courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
The Henderson Institute Historical Museum will host their annual holiday party featuring “Great Gatsby Gala – Roaring Twenties” on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The event will be held at Kerr Lake Country Club – 600 Hedrick Dr., Henderson – with music provided by “Just Friends.” Cost is $30 per person and includes food, drinks and a chance to win prizes.
Roaring ’20s attire is encouraged but not required. Please RSVP by Friday, November 23 to Edna at edsco1128@gmail.com or Edith at edcarr953@gmail.com.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Yoga, Slide N Glide & Youth Basketball Extended at Aycock Rec. Center
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center
Beginning Yoga: Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department is offering another session of Beginning Yoga. These sessions are based on Basic Yoga techniques to inspire physical, mental and spiritual peace from within. Classes are offered on Thursday nights from 6:15 – 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Slide N Glide: Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department is offering another session of Slide N Glide. Slide N Glide is a program for participants that are interested in learning new and old line dances. This program is designed for participants to have fun while they exercise. Classes are offered on Tuesday nights from 6:15 – 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Youth Basketball: Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department’s basketball registration has been extended until Sunday, November 25, 2018. For more information, please contact Steve Osborne at 252.438.2670 or sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or Victor Hunt at 252.438.3408 or vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us.
Leah Hinton to Perform at ‘A Night of Jazz Benefit Concert’
-Information courtesy Leah Hinton
Singer/songwriter Leah Hinton will be performing with a jazz band at the “A Night of Jazz Benefit Concert” on Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Crossroads Event Center, 945 W. Andrews Avenue, Henderson, with funds raised benefiting charitable causes.
Cost is $15 for singles and $25 for couples. For more information, please call (252) 572-2681.
Reminder: Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Tour District 5
-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, County of Granville
PUBLIC NOTICE
A quorum of the Granville County Board of Commissioners may be present on November 15, 2018, for a bus tour of the Granville County Commissioner District 5. The bus tour will begin at 9 a.m. or shortly after and leave from the Granville County Administration parking lot located at 141 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC.
For more information, please contact the County Manager’s Office at 919-693-5240.