Fletcher Opera Theater
No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone, written by acclaimed North Carolina poet and playwright Howard L. Craft, features renowned jazz artist Yolanda Rabun in an intimate portrayal of the groundbreaking talent and indomitable spirit of Nina Simone. This dynamic theatre piece with an onstage trio of accomplished musicians, directed by Kathryn Hunter-Williams, had its world premiere in 2019 at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC, to sold-out audiences. It gives insight into Simone’s vast music repertoire, her sense of humor, her life perspective, and her tireless dedication to social justice.
Nina Simone, a North Carolina native, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in 1933, is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century and a true hero of the Civil Rights movement.
Yolanda Rabun gives a powerhouse performance as the “High Priestess of Soul” in this extraordinary one-woman show that celebrates an unforgettable voice with a unique perspective on fear that is sure to stir souls and change lives. Combining Simone’s genre-bending songs with details from her incredible life story, playwright Howard L. Craft’s play captures an American cultural icon for an evening of theater that won’t soon be forgotten.
For more information, visit nofearandblueslonggone.com.
Plan Your Visit
Further information for this show will be provided 24 hours prior to the scheduled time.
Click here to view the day-of-show details.
Fletcher Opera Theater
*Please note this event has was previously schedule for January 25, and has been rescheduled to October 3, 2024. Previously purchased tickets will be valid for the new date, no action is required. Please email pac.info@raleighnc.gov with any questions.
Memorial Auditorium
Plan Your Visit
Further information for this show will be provided 24 hours prior to the scheduled time.
Click here to view the day-of-show details.
Meymandi Concert Hall
Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. She’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer
silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. Her countless comedic character videos have
racked up over 200 million views on social media. Her audience is multigenerational, creating
an excuse for large groups of friends and families to spend a night out together. In an era where
only 10% of all touring comedians are female, Jessica stands out as one of the strongest
comedians regardless of gender.
Jessica produced FX’s Hysterical, a feature-length documentary that premiered at SXSW 2021.
The film explores the changing landscape of women in stand-up comedy and features Margaret Cho, Nikki Glazer, Chelsea Handler, Fortune Feimster, and other notable comedians. Her one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She is a regular on This Week at the Comedy Cellar and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, HBO’s, Crashing, Netflix’s, Friends Who Kill, and Kevin Can Wait. She also recently acted in and served as a consultant, producer, and writer on the Robert De Niro film The Comedian.
Plan Your Visit
Further information for this show will be provided 24 hours prior to the scheduled time.
Click here to view the day-of-show details.
Memorial Auditorium
Second Show Added by Popular Demand! An Evening with David Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and regular National Public Radio contributor will be live on stage for one night only, following the release of his newest book Happy-Go-Lucky. This is a unique opportunity to see the best-selling humorist in an intimate setting. As always, Sedaris will be offering a selection of all-new readings and recollections, as well as a Q&A session and book signing.
Plan Your Visit
Further information for this show will be provided 24 hours prior to the scheduled time.
Click here to view the day-of-show details.
Meymandi Concert Hall
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Performed in Italian with English supertitles.
*Company Premiere
A riveting tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance set in 16th-century Spain. The bandit Ernani seeks to rescue his beloved Elvira, but she is being wooed by both the young King Charles and the older nobleman Silva. Political intrigue, personal vendettas, and passionate music much like Il Trovatore deliver an exhilarating opera experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
FEATURING Leah Crocetto, Carl Tanner, Andrew Manea, and Anthony Robin Schneider
CONDUCTED BY Jakob Lehmann
Season subscriptions can be purchased at NCOpera.org or by calling the NCO Box Office at 919.792.3853. Tickets to individual shows in the 24/25 Opera season will go on sale in mid-July.
Fletcher Opera Theater
*This event has been canceled.
Unfortunately, the NCT Board of Directors announced that The North Carolina Theatre must implement a financial restructuring by seeking protection under Chapter 11 and is canceling the remainder of their 2024 season. More information will be available in the coming weeks at nctheatre.com.
If you purchased tickets from NC Theatre please reach out to nct@nctheatre.com
If you purchased tickets from Martin Marietta Center please reach out to pac.info@raleighnc.gov
Memorial Auditorium
Español
Franco Escamilla regresa este 2024 con su nuevo show “1995” en el que nos hará recordar los acontecimientos más importantes, divertidos e impactantes ocurridos durante este año de la manera que solo él podría hacerlo, un show lleno de anécdotas, hechos y un giro inesperado con el que no podrás parar de reír.
“1995” es un show cargado de risas y una extra dosis de diversión; No te lo puedes perder!
English
Franco Escamilla returns this 2024 with his new show "1995" he will take us through the most important, funny and impactful events that happened during 1995, in a way that only Franco can do it with anecdotes, facts and an unexpected twist.
“1995” will be loaded with laughs and extra dose of fun, you can’t miss it!
Plan Your Visit
Further information for this show will be provided 24 hours prior to the scheduled time.
Click here to view the day-of-show details.
Memorial Auditorium
Composed by Daniel Catán
Libretto by Marcela Fuentes-Berain
Presented under license from Associated Music Publishers, Inc., copyright owner.
Performed in Spanish with English supertitles.
*Company Premiere
North Carolina Opera's first ever Spanish language opera! Embark on a magical and mysterious journey along the mighty Amazon. Glamorous opera legend Florencia Grimaldi is traveling incognito by steamboat through the enchanted rainforest in hopes of finding her long lost love. Wracked by storms and a cholera outbreak, she and her fellow passengers are drawn deeper into the Amazon, where fantasy and reality intertwine, and their hopes and dreams are tested.
“Florencia en al Amazonas sounds and feels like Puccini and Debussy, with murmurs of Ravel and the film music of Technicolor epics. The music glistens like sun on the river; it is graceful and ravishing.” – Robert Levine, Bachtrack
“The Mexican composer’s style is firmly, richly tonal and melodically effusive, with soaring vocal lines; the orchestration dazzles.” – Andrew Farach-Colton, Gramophone
FEATURING Vanessa Vasquez, Richard Ollarsaba, Marlen Nahhas, Jason Karn, Levi Hernandez, and Claudia Chapa
CONDUCTED BY Joseph Mechavich
DIRECTED BY John Hoomes
Season subscriptions can be purchased at NCOpera.org or by calling the NCO Box Office at 919.792.3853. Tickets to individual shows in the 24/25 Opera season will go on sale in mid-July.
Memorial Auditorium
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Performed in Italian with English supertitles.
Comedic capers and uproarious antics take center stage as Mozart’s classic opera battle of the sexes and the classes returns to NCO. Follow Figaro, the cunning confidant, and Susanna, the sly servant, as they navigate a maze of matrimonial mayhem and mischief. With hilarious hijinks and a sensational score, the “greatest opera ever written” will have you rolling in the aisles!
FEATURING William Clay Thompson, Kathryn Henry, Cadie J. Bryan, Theo Hoffman, and Lisa Marie Rogali
CONDUCTED BY Aaron Breid
DIRECTED BY Chas Rader-Shieber
Season subscriptions can be purchased at NCOpera.org or by calling the NCO Box Office at 919.792.3853. Tickets to individual shows in the 24/25 Opera season will go on sale in mid-July.