Off the stage and direct into your living room, you’ve never seen Nat Zegree like this before! A small and intimate affair, Nat Zegree Virtual Cabaret takes us on a zany musical journey through his appearances at the Playhouse and his own life over the past couple of months. From “On the Road Again” and “Route 66” to reprises of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” from Million Dollar Quartet and his piano solo “Blackbird” from The Music of Queen, Nat reminds us of the music and shows we love. Streaming for two nights only, Nat Zegree Virtual Cabaret comes to your home, phone, laptop – wherever! – on October 8 and 9 at 7:30 PM.

Recorded in the Playhouse Rehearsal Hall amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the socially-distanced filming utilized a small production crew to ensure safety for Nat and Playhouse staff. The virtual fundraiser has a run time of roughly one hour and contribution tiers range from $100 to $250 with offerings for a live meet & greet and a dinner available for pickup before the October 8 showing.

“Nat is not only a singular talent by any standard, he is a great collaborator and dear friend,” says Flat Rock Playhouse Artistic Director Lisa K. Bryant. “His heart for the Playhouse is huge and his commitment to our success and longevity is evidenced by his joyful and constant participation in whatever he’s asked to do.  Although– it is usually Nat who is first to offer himself in support of FRP in whatever capacity he can and we are always happy to oblige. He’s a beautiful soul and phenomenal talent, and we are fortunate that he seems to love us almost as much as we love and adore him. We had a blast making this silly and intimate cabaret, and we hope everyone signs up to watch and appreciate all that Nat offers in yet a whole new socially-distanced way.”

Nat Zegree has been on the Flat Rock Playhouse Leiman Mainstage many times since he first appeared as Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2016 production of Million Dollar Quartet. Since 2016, Nat has performed on the Rock as Mozart in Amadeus, Pickin’-and-a- Grinnin’, Mozart to Pop Charts, and most recently, The Music of Queen. He has also starred in many one-night-only fundraisers including The Nat Before Christmas, Dark Nat Revue, and The Nat-mare Before Christmas. Zegree was even slated to reprise his role as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet this year until the pandemic forced the Playhouse to close the curtain to the public for their entire 2020 season. The Playhouse was elated to welcome Zegree back for the intimate filming of the virtual cabaret, and they’re excited for patrons to experience Nat Zegree unlike ever before.

Registration:

$100/registration

*$150/registration

*$250/registration

*Only available on Thursday, October 8 for 50 households.

3 Easy Ways to Secure Your Registration

1. Visit flatrockplayhouse.org to sign up online

2. Mail a check made out to Flat Rock Playhouse with “Nat Zegree” in the memo line. Deadline to mail in checks is September 28. Please provide your best email address for follow up information.

Attn: Development Office

Flat Rock Playhouse

PO Box 310

Flat Rock, NC 28731

3. Call our box office at 828.693.0731 between 10 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Thursday. Thank you for your understanding and patience with our reduced hours during this time.

Nat Zegree Virtual Cabaret was filmed by Resident Lighting and Visual Media Designer CJ Barnwell and Production Manager Adam Goodrum. This virtual fundraiser was edited by CJ Barnwell.

If you have any questions about this virtual fundraiser, please give us a call at 828.693.0731.

Nat Zegree Virtual Cabaret is sponsored by Robin and Gene Hamme. This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org

FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE

In 1937, a group of struggling performers, led by Robroy Farquhar, organized themselves as the Vagabond Players. The Vagabonds worked in a variety of places over the course of three years, and in 1940 found themselves in the Blue Ridge region of Western North Carolina. The local and tourist community welcomed them with open arms when they presented their first summer season of plays in a 150-year-old grist mill they converted into The Old Mill Playhouse at Highland Lake. So successful was that summer, they returned in 1941. After WWII, the Vagabond Players reorganized, came back to the region and opened a playhouse in nearby Lake Summit. The Lake Summit Playhouse thrived during the post-war years and soon the Vagabond Players were looking for a larger and permanent home. In 1952, the troupe of performers, and a newly formed board of directors, made an offer to buy an 8-acre lot in the Village of Flat Rock. This new home made the Vagabonds “locals” and a rented big top gave birth to Flat Rock Playhouse. As the beautiful Western Carolina region continued to grow, so did the Playhouse and in 1961, by Act of the North Carolina General Assembly, Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. What began as a few weeks of summer performances in 1940 is now a nine-month season of plays including Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and theatre for young audiences. The Playhouse’s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; and Studio 52, year-round classes and workshops in theatre and film for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 105,000 patrons annually and is a significant contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina