Actor Spotlight: Jeremy Holden

The Red Velvet Cake War opens June 2, 2023, here at Parkway Playhouse!

From the writing team of last season’s runaway hit The Savannah Sipping Society, this show is about the eccentric Verdeen Cousins of Sweetgum, Texas are saddled with planning a family reunion despite being neck-deep in personal disasters. In the middle of arrests, psychological evaluations, and an oncoming tornado, the family’s horrid matriarch has challenged Cousin Gaynelle to a high-stakes baking contest.

We reached out to Jeremy Holden, one of our cast members to find out more about him and his experience working on this fun production. 

What about this show are you the most looking forward to?

The audience’s inevitable guffaws!

What’s your favorite recipe? Can you share it with us?

Chicken Tikka Masala. You’ll have to ask my wife how she makes it.

If you had to list 5 songs that represent how much fun this show is, what would they be?

“I’m going back down South” – Kings of Leon

“All my exes live in Texas” – George Strait

“La Grange” – ZZ Top

“Wild in the country” – Bow Wow Wow

“Mama’s broken heart” – Miranda Lambert

How did you get into theatre?

I wrote a play at school called The Breakfast Table which won a contest. I played a jar of coffee!

What’s your favorite thing to do in Burnsville?

Hiking, fishing, volunteering at the humane society, and hanging out with our friends.

What have you loved so far about working with Parkway Playhouse?

The people. They are talented, kind, and very funny.

Biography

Jeremy was raised in the UK, before moving to the US in the 1990s. He had a successful career in advertising before becoming a full-time author. He’s published several novels with his latest work due out in 2024. He’s married to Natalie & they have two adult children, Lily & Sam.

The Red Velvet Cake War is showing at Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC June 2-11, 2023! Grab your tickets to this hilarious comedy here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/

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Our Favorite Recipes

The Red Velvet Cake War opens June 2, 2023 here at Parkway Playhouse! We reached out to our wonderful cast members to see if they would share some of their favorite recipes with us. Here’s a couple that they shared!

Red Velvet Cup Cakes
Melanie Veazey
True to the show, I’ve been working on developing my Red Velvet Cup Cake recipe. I’ve made it three times so far and one batch has even included the secret recipe. If you want to know what that secret ingredient is you’ll have to come to the show but otherwise the recipe is pretty simple and makes a small batch of cupcakes.

Ingredients:
🧁 3/4 cup of flour or cake flour
🧁 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
🧁 1/2 cup of sugar
🧁 Pinch of salt
🧁 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil
🧁 1 egg
🧁 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
🧁 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
🧁 1/4 cup of buttermilk
🧁 2 teaspoons of red food coloring
🧁 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar

Instructions:
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately and then combine. Spoon your mixture into a lined muffin tin. You should end up with 6-7 cupcakes. Bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes. Frost with your favorite frosting.

Lemon Velvet Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Bonnie Allen
Prep time is 30 minutes (My first time making this it took me an hour… show yourself some grace.) Cook Time-28 minutes. Calories NONE. 😉

Ingredients:
Cake:
🍰 1½ cups all-purpose flour
🍰 1 cup cake flour
🍰 1 teaspoon baking soda
🍰 1 teaspoon baking powder
🍰 1 teaspoon salt
🍰 1¾ cups granulated sugar
🍰 3/4 cup vegetable oil
🍰 1/4 cup butter-flavored shortening
🍰 2 eggs
🍰 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
🍰 1 tablespoon pure lemon extract
🍰 1 heaping teaspoon lemon zest (from 1-2 lemons. You’ll find the heaping teaspoon next to the “say when” cheese grater in the junk drawer of your kitchen)
🍰 1 cup buttermilk
🍰 1/2 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
🍰 1/3 cup hot lemon water (Cold water is fine. Hot water mixed with 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice – I’ve never used hot water and honestly I can’t tell the difference. I also made a C- in chemistry.)
🍰 4-6 drops of yellow food coloring

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
🍰 2 (8 oz) cream cheese room temperature
🍰 8 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
🍰 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
🍰 1 ½ teaspoons pure lemon extract
🍰 1 ½ heaping teaspoons lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
🍰 4-5 cups powdered sugar sifted
🍰 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice (if needed)
🍰 4-5 drops yellow food coloring

Instructions:
Cake:
Preheat oven to 325 F. Thoroughly grease and flour 2 (9-inch) dark cake pans. Set aside. In a large bowl sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl mix together sugar, oil, and shortening. Mix in eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest. Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix together the distilled vinegar and lemon water and mix into the batter. Mix in the food coloring until your desired shade of yellow is reached. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and shake pans to release any trapped air bubbles. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking it at the 25-minute mark and adjusting the time if needed. When moist crumbs cling to a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake, the way your ex was still clinging to you after you said it’s over remove the cake from the oven. Just like you removed them from your life. Let cakes rest in the pans until pans are cool enough to touch. Similar to how one might need to rest till they are cool enough to approach for conversation. The cake will continue to cook as it cools. Once cooled, carefully remove the cakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and butter. Mix in vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest. Mix in powdered sugar until creamy, adding lemon juice to thin it out if needed. Stir in food coloring if using. The cake and icing will appear mainly white. The yellowed the cake the more food coloring. Place frosting in the fridge to allow it to firm up a bit before frosting. Stir the frosting until it’s creamy and spreadable and frost the cakes. Garnish with additional lemon zest if desired. (OR if you’re like me and you’re afraid you’ll grate your knuckles. Garnish with a lemon peel)

Yum! What’s your favorite recipe? The Red Velvet Cake War is showing June 2-11, 2023. Grab your tickets here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/

Actor Spotlight: Cade Hartsell

EXTRA! EXTRA! We reached out to Cade Hartsell, one of our incredible cast members for Newsies JR to find out more about him! 

What role have you been cast for in Newsies JR?

Wiesel

What about this production are you most excited about?

The musical numbers are all really good.

What’s your favorite song in this show and why?

Kind of New York because it sounds good.

If a newspaper article was written about you, what would the headline say?

Local child sued for hearing loss caused by his “injured hyena” singing.

What’s your favorite thing about being involved at Parkway Playhouse?

I got a free bag of chips once.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Burnsville?

Soccer or just walking around town.

Biography

Cade goes to MHHS and has done conservatory performances but this is his first JR show. He likes to play soccer.

Newsies JR is showing at Parkway Playhouse May 5-13, 2023! Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/ 

Actor Spotlight: Laurel Hartsell

EXTRA! EXTRA! We reached out to Laurel Hartsell, one of our incredible cast members for Newsies JR to find out more about her! 

What role have you been cast for in Newsies JR?

Ethel in the Bowery brigade, Newsie, and Dorthy.

What about this production are you most excited about?

I have always loved this show and the music in the production.

What’s your favorite song in this show and why?

Once and for all, because I love the notes and lyrics.

If a newspaper article was written about you, what would the headline say?

Short girl causes a scene at sporting event!

What’s your favorite thing about being involved at Parkway Playhouse?

I love everyone and their attitudes and just the feeling of being on stage and performing in front of an audience.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Burnsville?

Play soccer, and hang out with my friends.

Biography

Laurel Is a 6th grader At EYMS, and when she’s not a drama practice enjoys playing soccer or cheering. Her other performances at Parkway Playhouse have included Junie B. Jones Jr, Elf Jr, Moana Jr, Addams Family Jr, and Wizard of Oz Jr.

Newsies JR is showing at Parkway Playhouse May 5-13, 2023! Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/

Actor Spotlight: Mia Bennett

EXTRA! EXTRA! We reached out to Mia Bennett, one of our incredible cast members for Newsies JR to find out more about them! 

What role have you been cast for in Newsies JR?

Hannah

What about this production are you most excited about?

I am very excited for everyone to see the amazing choreography. I am excited for the audience to see all of the hard work that we have put behind it. I am also excited for everyone to get to feel the emotions portrayed by the characters. I am excited for everyone to see how much effort everyone has put into this show.

What’s your favorite song in this show and why?

Although this is a very difficult question, my favorite song would have to be Brooklyn’s here. I love the energy behind the song. I also love how it shows how tough the characters from Brooklyn are.

If a newspaper article was written about you, what would the headline say?

A teenage girl gets lost in the woods with her beagle.

What’s your favorite thing about being involved at Parkway Playhouse?

I love the people of Parkway Playhouse. Everyone involved from the crew to all of the actors. Everyone is so supportive and kind. Everyone is so fun to be around. Parkway is one of the only places you can be your true full self and not be judged at all by anyone.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Burnsville?

My favorite thing to do in Burnsville is to hang out in town and go get some snacks from App Java. I also love swimming at the rope hole and hiking with my dog. 

Biography

Mia has been involved in Parkway for about 6 years. She started her acting career with Conservatory Classes with Erika Tyner. As she got older she decided to become even more involved and started being in Junior Productions. Mia was in the Junior Production of Moana in November of 2021. She played Tomatoa and was also a part of the ensemble. She was also in Addams Family, playing Mal. She also was in Wizard of Oz playing Uncle Henry, Doorman, and a Winkie Guard. Mia has also apprenticed at Parkway Playhouse for the past two summers. She was the assistant stage Manager for The Savannah Sipping Society and has also worked backstage for many other productions. Mia loves acting and the atmosphere and people of Parkway Playhouse. She hopes to continue her acting career with Parkway.

Newsies JR is showing at Parkway Playhouse May 5-13, 2023! Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/

Actor Spotlight: Wilhelmina Wygand

EXTRA! EXTRA! We reached out to Wilhelmina Wygand, one of our incredible cast members for Newsies JR to find out more about her! 

What role have you been cast for in Newsies JR?

Spot Conlon

What about this production are you most excited about?

I really just love to do shows at Parkway overall but in this show in particular I’m excited about how it’s more of a mature show.

What’s your favorite song in this show and why?

“Once and for all” is my favorite song it’s the climax of the story.

If a newspaper article was written about you, what would the headline say?

“Girl named Wilhelmina wins award for having the longest name in both Mitchell and Yancey County.”

What’s your favorite thing about being involved at Parkway Playhouse?

My favorite thing about being involved in Parkway is making memories with cast members.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Burnsville?

Hang out with friends.

Biography

I love participating in musicals and hanging out with friends.

Newsies JR is showing at Parkway Playhouse May 5-13, 2023! Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/tickets/get-tickets/ 

Workshop Spotlight: Summer Improv Series

Registration is open for our Summer programs! Our Summer Improv Series is for ages 14+ and is being taught by Noah Stout. We reached out to Noah to talk more about what students can expect from this workshop.

Who is this workshop geared for? 

Those ready to learn new and old tricks. From those with a world of experience to those with none. When we say 14+ we mean 14 years old to 112 years old. 

What should students expect to walk away from this workshop knowing? 

The tools to master quick wit and read a room on and off stage. A strong foundation in improvisational skills. Notes and knowledge gathered from the last 20 years of live performance experience I’ve gained traveling the country so you don’t have to! 

What kind of activities should students expect to be doing in this workshop? 

Warms-ups and exercises that you can use in your everyday life. Different styles and approaches to improv. 

Having a toolbox of bandaids and social hammers may just be the things you need to feel confident in yourself.

In what ways will the skills learned in this workshop be beneficial on the stage? 

Actors regardless of experience will tell you that feeling prepared going out on stage is a luxury you don’t always have. Having a toolbox of bandaids and social hammers may just be the things you need to feel confident in yourself. You missed a line? A queue got skipped? The music just started playing for some reason? A lot, like several thousands of actors when put in those situations, will freeze or restart or lose it all together. But not actors with the confidence and tools to drive a scene home and circle back around and finish the story. 

In what ways will the skills learned in this workshop be beneficial off the stage? 

I use improv every day. I use it when making new connections for work. I use it when auditioning.  I use it when my toilet is leaking and a plumber can’t get here till Wednesday. Improv and more specifically my carny style of improv helps you think outside the box. That type of thinking will set you apart and give you new perspectives on what you can do in any given situation. It’s a lot more than Zip Zap Zop and invisible cats in invisible boxes. Improv can improve your mental conditioning and critical thinking skills and most importantly your self-esteem. In my experience, it just makes your brain happier. We are giving your brain the chance to PLAY! 

“Improv can improve your mental conditioning and critical thinking skills and most importantly your self-esteem.”

Tell us a bit about yourself. What made you want to lead this workshop? 

I’m a showman. I always have been. I feel like I am constantly pushing those around me to also take creative dives and jumps and risks. I want everyone around to have the same bug for showbiz I’ve had since I was a kid. Entertaining the masses or just yourself in the mirror. For 20+ years I’ve been on stage or in a ring or a park or a party carving out my spot in the world. I was especially compelled to do these workshops because of the untapped talent of the actors and patrons in the area. I have bumped elbows and shared fries with some of the funniest people I’ve ever met and they don’t even know how funny they are. So I guess the long and the short of it is that I want to teach this class to take credit for just how fun and creative you all are. All jokes aside I’m hungry for NEW and EXCITED people to join these classes as an opportunity to better know themselves and their capabilities on and off stage in life and show business and regular business.

Our Summer Improv Series kicks off on June 8th and is pay what you can! Find out more and sign up here: https://parkwayplayhouse.com/outreach/parkway-playhouse-junior/summer-camp/