Season

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then click on 2012 Season or click here.

We gratefully acknowledge our Play Season Presenting Sponsor:
Duncan Audi of Roanoke.

 

Since its beginnings, Theater at Lime Kiln has shared its stage with some of the finest performance groups around. The 2012 season will build on that tradition with particular reverence being paid to the theater’s rich history of storytelling.

 

 

James Leva will  direct and perform in A Kindly Visitation. This musical biography explores the life and times of legendary old-time fiddle player, Tommy Jarrell. A Kindly Visitation is performed by world-renowned multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and playwright, James Leva; by Ira Bernstein, a world renowned, internationally touring, percussive step dancer who is regarded as one of the most accomplished traditional southern Appalachian flatfooters in the country; by Riley Baugus who has toured with Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss; and by local virtuoso Danny Knicely, who has toured with Tony Rice and Vassar Clements. This one-of-a-kind performance reveals the cultural roots of Appalachian music with lots of humor and plenty of traditional music performed by some of our nation’s finest acoustic musicians.  I am grateful to Lime Kiln Theater for the opportunity to present A Kindly Visitation. Leva commenting on staging the play at Lime Kiln said, “The play utilizes story telling techniques that I learned during the years I worked with Don Baker at Lime Kiln.  Lime Kiln’s original mission was to explore the depth and beauty of Appalachian culture, recalling the old adage that the universal is found in the particular.  Lime Kiln is an ideal place to present this play which explores the life and music of Thomas Jefferson Jarrell.  His music, and his path through life, was of a particular place and time.  Yet, in recalling the Appalachia of a century ago, Tommy’s life and music resonate with themes universal to the human experience.” A Kindly Visitation is sponsored by The Southern Inn.

Rattlesnake is a one man play in two acts, written and performed by Virginia Commission for the Arts touring artist, John Hardy, directed by Katy Brown. Theater Columnist, Sean O’Sullivan described the performance as, “Brilliant writing in the most original script I know…the first classic of the new century…. You have never seen anything like it: sixteen characters, a small cavalcade, come to life before our eyes, distinctly and convincingly…. The entire piece is one immense poem with passages of lyric beauty given in plain everyday speech. It’s a marvelous use of language, a lot of wit, much rich characterization. The performance is remarkable”Rattlesnake is sponsored by Remax Home & Country-Rick Alford. 

 

 

Closing out the play season on September 29 is the welcome return American Shakespeare Center’s touring troupe who put on the show of the 2011 season with their performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This season they return as part of their Tempt Me Further tour will present Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Writing at the height of his powers, Shakespeare gives us a feast of language, songs and a stage full of memorable characters – from the lovesick Olivia to the alesick Sir Toby Belch, from the acquiescent Sir Andrew Aguecheek to the pompous Malvoli. Sublime and subversive, Twelfth Night breaks rules and bends genders to show love in all its guises and disguises. Twelfth night is sponsored by the Inn at Hunt Ridge.

We gratefully acknowledge our Concert Series Presenting Sponsor:

 We are indeed honored to partner with 101.5 fm the music place.They are committed to serving those that actively support the cultural arts and community advocacy organizations within the valley of Virginia. 

During its 28 year history, Theater at Lime has shared its stage with some of the finest musicians groups around providing an eclectic variety of music in a magical outdoor setting. In the early years of what turned out to be truly astounding careers, performing artists such as the Dave Matthews Band, Bela Fleck, Alison Kraus and The Old Crow Medicine Show have all graced the Lime Kiln concert stage on their way to international recognition. Paraphrasing the lyrics of one of the rising stars on this season’s slate, very much in the mould of the aforementioned…Theater at Lime Kiln’s “unpredictability (of musical offerings) is something you can count on.” Can you guess which one?

In keeping with our mission, woven through the concert series is the music of our region as performed by the likes of Gary Ruley, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, The Steel Wheels and of course the late, great Mike Seeger. Joining these maestros on the season roster at the Kiln will be Blue grass legends and long time Lime Kiln favorites the Seldom Scene, as always this show is bound to be a sellout so get your tickets early.

Americanais an amalgam of roots music that includes bluegrass as one of its essential components and has become a genre in its own right and has now been exported to other parts of the world. It is now being re-imported to the Kiln from Australiaby way of Austinand Nashvillecourtesy of The Greencards who will be making a welcome return to the Kiln after playing Merlefest in April 2012. Their true claim to fame is not that they have toured with Dylan and Willie Nelson but that they received a standing ovation midway through their first set at the Kiln in 2011!

Opening up the 2012 Concert series and just back from a widely successful tour of the UKare the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Their debut album garnered a 2011 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. The Carolina Chocolate Drops are the hottest thing to hit the old-time music community in decades, and it’s all rendered with irrepressible enthusiasm and energy that leaves no question that this is music very much for the here and now. “Old-time music never sounded so current”

Since the release of their 100 Miles of Wreckage album, The Black Lillies appear to be oscillating between the Grand Ole Opry and Lime Kiln!  Their album 100 Miles of Wreckage has so far spent more than six months on the Americana radio Top 40 charts – four of them in the top 20. The video for Two Hearts Down taken from 100 Miles was the number two video in the CMT Pure 12 Pack.

Still dig the Beatles, who doesn’t? The Kiln’s Father’s Day concert will feature Yellow Dubmarine, a Beatles cover band with a difference. Yellow Dubmarine is a fusion reggae troupe that covers Beatles’ songs, keeping the heart of each tune present, but simultaneously recreating them in an entirely new light, quite simply a chance to hear this much loved music again for the first time.

Jetting in from Texasto provide a powerful mix of original Americana, Country, Southern Blues, and “Texifide” Jazz are the Flyin’ A’s. With their considerable talents as both songwriters and vocalists, they combine for a spirited and soulful explosion of distinctively original music. Talking of Jazz, Chaise Lounge will be back at the Kiln providing their unique blend of music that will take you back to the early 60’s, so much so that to have the entire membership of the “Rat Pack” run across the stage during the performance would not be out of place. Jazz encompasses a wide range of styles, some conventional some less so. Fishtank Ensemble fit squarely in the latter, Gypsy Jazz featuring one of the most thrilling stage performances you will ever see, explosive violins, the world’s best slap bass player, musical saw, flamenco and gypsy jazz guitar, opera, jazz and gypsy vocals, accordion and one little banjolele. The list goes on, tackling everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian oddball originals, this band is a not to be missed event.

“Hank Williams may have been a love sick drinker, but being a love sick drunk don’t make you Hank.” Sons of Bill combine intelligent lyrics, extraordinary musical talent, and the ability to take the simple things in life and make them compelling. Sons of Bill are something very special indeed and destined for great things, and for sure you will want to be able to say “I was there when then played the Kiln and the walls came crumbling down.”

Crackerjack musicianship goes a long way towards a band’s greatness, but showmanship seals the deal. Woody Pines, on stage, is an old soul and natural performer, storied and steeped in the best of American music. Live, Woody Pines infuses a hundred years of American music into their performance – everything from early 20th century acoustic Blues and Rockabilly, to the sounds of the White Stripes and The Black Keys. No season at the Kiln would be complete without Fatty Lumpkin’s Rock n Roll extravaganza. It’s a great night for a party when Fatty takes to the stage. They always put on a great show with great music and are guaranteed to bring the crowd to their feet!

Plays, Performances and Festivals 2012 promises to be a great season at the Kiln. There are three festivals planned with a fourth on the drawing board Lex-Carnivale, so stay logged on to theateratlimekiln.org or keep following us on Facebook for further information as it becomes available.

Lime Kiln’s Acoustic Blues Festival is a total-immersion experience for Blues aficionados and fans alike that will both entertain and educate. Authentic bearers of the Blues tradition, Ernie Hawkins, Scott Ainslie, Eli Cook, and John Emil will pass down their skills, sounds, stories, and heartache of the Blues via their workshops that will precede their performance at the Kiln.

The Drunk Uncles Craft Beer Festival is another first for the Kiln this season and will include East Tennessee’s own Real Country Music Band…Real Tennessee Shine.” When The Drunk Uncles take the stage, your toes start to tap then you are up dancing and having a great time. Their music is hardcore honky-tonk country and their songs have been known to celebrate the fermented brew whether it is from the bottle, from the can, or from the tap.

The Annual Mike Seeger Tribute Festival this season will feature the music of Backstep, featuring Chester McMillan on guitar. Chester was Tommy Jarrell’s guitar player and the subject of James Leva’s musical biography A Kindly Visitation, so do not be surprised if James makes a guest appearance. Backstep along with the Dust Busters have been included in this season’s line up since it was one of Mike’s wishes to see Old-Time music be carried forward by younger musicians. Probably what he didn’t expect in the case of The Dust Busters was for Old-Time music to have developed serious new roots in The Dust Busters’ home of Brooklyn, New York City. While not quite in Appalachia the Dust Busters feature John Cohen one of the original members of Mike Seeger’s legendary ensemble The New Lost City Ramblers. The Dust Busters integrate a wide range of old-time, ballads, fiddle tunes and jug-band blues into each of their performances. Rounding off the tribute is The Slate Mountain Ramblers, featuring fiddler Richard Bowman, have long been a staple both at fiddler’s conventions and dances throughout the region. They are one of the finest family string bands of the Blue Ridge. Fueled by Richard’s energetic fiddling, and backed up by daughter Marcia’s rock-solid, clawhammer banjo and wife Barbara’s driving bass, the Slate Mountain Ramblers provide the perfect elements for a square dance; good rhythm and great old-time tunes. They have performed in England, Austria, and across the US but they are best known as a mainstay of the dance and festival culture locally here within the region.

Our season subscription packages offer you the chance to lock in the best available seats at a significant discount.  Choose any of our season passes for great seats.  Our subscription passes may be used at anytime within the artistic year. Please check out our packages at theateratlimekiln.org.