A man lost in his life drives across the American West with his stepdaughter-a young woman at the beginning of hers.  He’s trying to make peace with the ghosts of his past; she’s just trying to survive.

This modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People follows the fate of a small suburb and its newly opened charter school. The science teacher, Dr. Stock, discovers issues on the school grounds and takes on a mission to inform the public. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, this play addresses themes of truth, greed and denial, while serving as a mirror for our outrageous political reality.

Well is a funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. The playwright asks the provocative question: “Do we create our own illness?” The answers she gets are much more complicated than she bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.

“deceptively deep and clever as ever.” – Curtain Up

Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language

Well is a funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. The playwright asks the provocative question: “Do we create our own illness?” The answers she gets are much more complicated than she bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.

“deceptively deep and clever as ever.” – Curtain Up

Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language

A man lost in his life drives across the American West with his stepdaughter-a young woman at the beginning of hers.  He’s trying to make peace with the ghosts of his past; she’s just trying to survive.

This modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People follows the fate of a small suburb and its newly opened charter school. The science teacher, Dr. Stock, discovers issues on the school grounds and takes on a mission to inform the public. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, this play addresses themes of truth, greed and denial, while serving as a mirror for our outrageous political reality.

Well is a funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. The playwright asks the provocative question: “Do we create our own illness?” The answers she gets are much more complicated than she bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.

“deceptively deep and clever as ever.” – Curtain Up

Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language

On Facebook:  Tom Chalmers’ Listen to This is going online for a performance Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 pm We are featuring singers (and dancers!) from the community during our #ACTHappyHour parties M-F at 5:00 pm! On Instagram: Costume Designer/Shop Manager Carina Lopez created a photo tutorial to sew masks for immuno-compromised people.

Listen To This

Hosted by Tom Chalmers

Usually the last Thursday of the month!

7:30 pm

Performed in 35below. There are some stories that are just so good they need to be shared with an assembled audience. Local actor/comedian Tom Chalmers invites you to take part in what is quickly becoming one of Asheville’s most popular series, Listen to This. A storytelling format in the vein of “This American Life,” Listen to This is an evening hosted by Chalmers with stories and songs from some of Asheville’s most interesting writers, performers, and citizens. Each installment features a central theme (past shows have featured stories about everything from gluttony to mistaken identity). Real people. Real stories. Real good times.

This modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People follows the fate of a small suburb and its newly opened charter school. The science teacher, Dr. Stock, discovers issues on the school grounds and takes on a mission to inform the public. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, this play addresses themes of truth, greed and denial, while serving as a mirror for our outrageous political reality.

Well is a funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. The playwright asks the provocative question: “Do we create our own illness?” The answers she gets are much more complicated than she bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.

“deceptively deep and clever as ever.” – Curtain Up

Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language

Aladdin, Jr. benefit performances by the students of The Learning Community School to be held March 27-29

Based on the hit 1992 animated film, The Learning Community School is pleased to present “Aladdin, Jr.” in the Owen High School auditorium on March 27-29. The entire K-8 student body of 75 students participates in the show, which features impressive choreography, singing, and live accompaniment.
It’s not just the students who are represented in the show. Every parent and staff member in the school contributes to the production. From costumes​ and make-up to lighting and props, and the dedicated team who gathers, organizes, and displays the incredible silent auction, this school-wide effort goes far beyond what’s seen on stage. Every single participant – kids, parents, staff, and faculty alike – shines in their own way and contributes to the overwhelming success of the show each year.

The event is unique in that it serves as the primary source of community outreach, community building, and fundraising for The Learning Community School; it is the school’s flagship event. This event is also an opportunity for this small school to give back to the WNC Community in a big way. On March 26th, we offer a free preview show to share a live-theater experience with members of our greater community with visitors from Black Mountain Neuromedical Treatment Center, Swannanoa Valley Montessori School, Fox Flower Montessori, local homeschool groups, and more.

Community building is a key component of the event. From the team of Saturday morning set builders to the Tuesday night costume sewing circle to the students creating magic on stage, the sense of working together for a common purpose permeates the atmosphere. Robin Jacobs, TLC parent, PE teacher, and silent auction coordinator says, “This common purpose creates an environment where collaboration is essential and familiar. It builds group stability and individual equanimity, while contributing to a culture of group success.” Executive Director Katherine Murphy says, “At the close of Sunday’s performance at our community gathering, we all celebrate the success of working together for the good of our community.”

While there are so many community benefits, the bottom line is that it is also an incredibly successful fundraiser for a small school. Ticket sales, concessions, sponsorships, and the silent auction all complement each other; “We’re incredibly fortunate to have this annual opportunity to give our students and community a meaningful and enriching experience while raising necessary funds for the school” says Holly Baumgartner, Administrative Director.

Musical highlights including “Prince Ali” and the show-stopping “​Never Had a Friend Like Me” are an opportunity for our talented students to show off their hard work and dedication. “Arabian Nights” is a stand-out performance that includes every member of the K-8 school’s student body. These songs and more will be performed as part of the school’s full-length, professional-level theater presentation.

This year’s show represents a few important milestones as well. First, it will be the 20th year for our incredible Costume Director, Theresa Cote, who oversees the design of the event’s custom-tailored costumes. Many of these outfits are hand sewn from scratch by staff members and teams of hard-working community volunteers.

The show’s director, Black Mountain resident, Dead Poets member, and TLC School alumni parent and teacher, Tom Tracy, is celebrating his 15th year at the helm. “I never grow tired of watching these young people get up on that stage and pour themselves into the show. They work so hard and I love to watch that moment when they drop into the full experience and “find” their place on that stage and in the story” says Tracy.

Aladdin, Jr.
Friday, March 27 at 6pm
Saturday, March 28 at 4pm
Sunday, March 29 at 2pm
Owen High School auditorium, Black Mountain NC
Tickets: $10 general admission
Purchase tickets online at www.thelearningcommunity.org.

HCT is proud to present, Driving Miss Daisy, the winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway
Play. A warm-hearted, humorous and affecting study of the unlikely relationship between an aging, crotchety white Southern lady, and a proud, soft-spoken chauffer . A long-run Off-Broadway success and an Academy Award-winning film. —a perfectly poised and shaped miniature on the odd-couple theme.—NY Post

This modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People follows the fate of a small suburb and its newly opened charter school. The science teacher, Dr. Stock, discovers issues on the school grounds and takes on a mission to inform the public. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, this play addresses themes of truth, greed and denial, while serving as a mirror for our outrageous political reality.

Well is a funny and touching comedy about mothers and daughters, mind over body, social activism and theatre itself. Lisa, the onstage playwright, attempts a memory play about her force-of-nature mother, Ann, who though constantly ill manages to heal a community. The playwright asks the provocative question: “Do we create our own illness?” The answers she gets are much more complicated than she bargained for as the play spins dangerously out of control into riotously funny and unexpected territory.

“deceptively deep and clever as ever.” – Curtain Up

Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language