Broadway’s Kevin Smith Kirkwood Brings Solo Show CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! to Weathervane Theatre This Summer

KINKY BOOTS Original Broadway cast member and Weathervane Theatre alum (2004, 2005, and 2008) brings his solo Whitney Houston show to Weathervane Theatre for one night only this July.

WHITEFIELD, NH – April 6, 2020 – Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini and the Weathervane Theatre, a professional, award-winning, equity theatre in Whitefield, NH, is proud to announce Kevin Smith Kirkwood will perform his one person show – Classic Whitney: Alive! at Weathervane on Sunday, July 12 at 7:30 PM. Kirkwood, last seen on Broadway in Kinky Boots, was recently announced as director/choreographer of Weathervane’s summer production of Kinky Boots. Previous to Kirkwood’s Broadway turn he was a member of Weathervane Theatre’s Resident Acting Company for three seasons. Weathervane credits include Big River, The Wiz, Violet, and his New Hampshire Theatre Alliance award-winning performance of Angel in RENT.

In CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE!, Ms. Houston comes back to earth, reincarnated in the body of Mr. Kirkwood, to deliver a full-out retrospective concert and celebration of some of her iconic live performances. Mr. Kirkwood serves Whitney realness with a script that is constructed from excerpts of her live concert banter and interviews, CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! is the ultimate Whitney tribute from the ultimate Whitney fan. CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! is music directed by Drew Wutke and features background vocalists Kerry Flanagan, John Lucas, and Natalie Randall.

Kirkwood, whose performance as Whitney has been deemed “exhilarating and moving” (Washington Square News) has a lifelong passion for Whitney Houston which clearly comes to light in Classic Whitney: Alive!

“Being a trained actor, I wanted to really try to capture the essence of her stage persona and approach the show from an acting standpoint. My goal was to treat it as any other character I’ve played, and really play her for truth, specificity and not camp,” Kirkwood said. “I obviously have an unending respect for her talent and legacy, and I wanted the show to reflect that.” Still, he added, “It’s a fun show because Whitney was fun onstage.”

Revived numerous times at NYC’s Joe’s Pub at the Public, Weathervane Theatre is thrilled to present this memorable and intimate evening of entertainment to the North Country.

“Is it July 12th yet? Cause I get so emotional, baby, every time I think of Kevin delivering his wildly popular, highly acclaimed Classic: Whitney Alive! show to our North Country Audiences. I can’t wait to see you there cause I wanna dance with somebody,” said Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini.

Kevin Smith Kirkwood made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and earned a 2005 New York Innovative Theater Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for It’s Karate, Kid! After performing in the entire Broadway run of the Tony Award Winning Musical Kinky Boots, Kevin went on to play the role of the ‘Scarecrow’ in Broadway at Sacramento Music Circus’ production of The Wiz, which received rave reviews. Kirkwood also stars as ‘Roxy’ in the recently released feature horror film titled Condemned (written and directed by Eli Morgan Gesner and also starring Dylan Penn and Lydia Hearst). Kevin also created and stars in the wildly popular and critically acclaimed solo show "CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE!" which has played to sold out houses at Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, on cruise ships around the world, and even a command performance at the Diva’s estate. Most recently Kevin guest starred on Katy Keene on the CW Network.

Classic Whitney: Alive! plays Sunday, July 12th at 7:30 PM. Kinky Boots opens July 20 and runs in alternating rep through August 28, 2020. It is sponsored by Presby Transportation Group. Season 55’s alternating rep season will open July 3, 2020 and close August 29th. Additional Season 55 titles include Hello, Dolly!, Amadeus, Green Day’s American Idiot, The Addams Family, Disaster! and Buyer & Cellar. Changes for the upcoming season include earlier curtain times (7:30 PM evening performances) and added matinee performances (every Thursday and Saturday at 2 PM).

Subscription packages and group sales are currently available. For more information call 603.837.9322 or email boxoffice@weathervanetheatre.org. Single tickets for Kinky Boots and Classic Whitney: Alive! will be on sale for subscribers on Tuesday, May 5th and for the general public on Tuesday, May 12th. Tickets range from $22 – $39. Additional information will be available on our website – www.weathervanetheatre.org.

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