A benefit concert for Blue Ridge Community Theater’s Sunny D Children’s Theater is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, at 7:30 p.m., featuring Cradle: The Eric Clapton & Traffic Cover band.
Production Manager Joseph Nicolella said, “Cradle was one of the headlining acts at last year’s Blues & BBQ, and they have generously agreed to perform this concert free of charge!” All proceeds will go to the Sunny D Children’s Theater Fund and be used to pay for summer camp scholarships, costumes, and other necessities for the program, he said.
Cradle features Brad Iverson on lead vocals, Jim Richter, lead guitar, Chris Filley, rhythm guitar and bass, Josh Filley, bass, David Prouty, keyboard, and Chris Curtis, drums. Nicolella said, “They have also written and recorded numerous original songs, both collectively and individually. Cradle’s Live Music is Better Benefit Concert will be a tribute to Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, and their related groups (Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Dave Mason, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominoes).”
Theater representatives say the children’s theater is currently preparing for their two fall shows, “Princess: A Fairytale Spoof,” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” both playing Friday through Sunday, October 18 through November 3. “Princess” is a short comedy put on by the younger Sunny D actors (ages 5-12), and tells the story of the “wicked Step Mother’s Association, who have rid the world of all frogs, so that no princess may kiss a frog to make him a prince, and therefore not be rescued by him.
“However, when they discover there is one frog-turned-prince remaining, they hatch a malicious scheme to have him try and save all of their step daughters, hence overworking him into exhaustion and making him give up on his efforts entirely.”
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is “the classic novel by C.S. Lewis brought to life on the stage, filled with thrilling adventure, ancient magic, and terrifying clashes of good versus evil.”
“Princess” will be prsented at 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, followed by a brief intermission before “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, said Nicolella. Tickets all the shows can be purchased by phone at 706-632-9191 or online at BlueRidgeCommunityTheater.com.