This Biscuit is Full of “Delightfully Ghoulish” Information

Find Yourself at Dear Evan Hansen

Tony Award-winning musical returns to Charlotte Oct. 25 – 30

Dear Evan Hansen closed on Broadway just a few weeks ago (Sept. 18), but audiences can still catch the Tony Award-winning musical if it happens to come through their town.

Luckily for Charlotteans, it’s headed back to the Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Belk Theater Oct. 25 through 30.

Evan’s story shows us the grave dangers of social media and the pain of teen depression, anxiety and suicide. Yet, it manages to offer a message of hope. We spoke to Michael Uselmann, the musical’s associate conductor, about the emotional power behind the music and the message.

“It’s bittersweet about Broadway closing, but at the same time, it makes you appreciate our touring company a little more,” said Uselmann, who’s served as associate conductor since September 2019.

“We’re playing to audiences that otherwise probably wouldn’t get to see it.”

This story was sponsored by Blumenthal Performing Arts.

7 Best Practices for Applying for Beyond Open Funds on Oct. 28

Small businesses in Charlotte, including small creative businesses, have one more week to apply for a new source of supportive funds through Foundation for the Carolinas (FFTC). The program is called Beyond Open and the first of three rounds of funding is open for applications through Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. EST.

Created with support from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund, Beyond Open is focused on helping diverse (minority, woman, veteran, LGBTQ) small business owners grow businesses, build wealth and expand economic mobility in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.⁣ Available funds range from $5,000 to $250,000.

BE SIMPLE. BE DIRECT. DON’T BE ANXIOUS.

With just one week left to apply, anxiety may be running high among applicants. To help combat that, we turned to FFTC for best practices on crafting a strong application.

“I get that this can be intimidating to apply for grants and loan programs,” said Tracy Russ of Foundation For The Carolinas. “We’re asking you for simplicity because we’re trying to build a simple way for you to get access to these funds.”

TIP ONE: Use plain language.

You don’t get points for long, rambling sentences. Be simple. Be direct. Share facts. Don’t worry about impressing reviewers. Focus on answering these questions:

What do you do?
What do you want to do?
What challenges do you face?
Where do you want to go (with your business)?
How will these funds help you get there?

Click the button below for six more best practices you can use when applying for a Beyond Open grant.

This story was sponsored by Beyond Open.

CENTER STAGE: Silent Generation” Speaks Out!

This story is part of our ongoing “Center Stage” series, putting the spotlight on small, local theater projects and performances.

Seven Charlotteans Take Center Stage in a Live-Action Documentary

Boomers may get all the attention, but members of “Silent Generation” (people aged 77 to 92) are speaking out in a new stage show from the Playworks Group. Acting Our Age: Using Our Voices is an ongoing live theater presentation inspired by the lives of residents at the Aldersgate Life Plan Community in east Charlotte. It plays at Booth Playhouse Nov. 2 and 3.

This production is the result of a 10-month exploration of the life stories of the seven participating seniors (aged 72-82) through interviews, writing and group discussions. Through the life stories of the participants, the live-action documentary takes audiences through lived history.

The professional team behind this production includes legends of Charlotte stages – Lyndall Hare, Mitzi Corrigan, Jay Thomas, Fred Story, Barbara Berry and Steve Umberger.

We were fortunate to catch up with Umberger to learn more about how the production came together. READ IT HERE.

Have a “Delightfully Ghoulish” time at BOOllantyne

Charlotte Is Creative, publishers of The Biscuit, is excited to partner with Northwood Office for a family Halloween experience in Ballantyne’s Backyard from 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.

The evening will feature food trucks and local craft beer, paired with creative crafts from Upcycle Arts and Namaste artists, as well as face painting, pet caricatures and (of course) candy for the kids.

The main events are “The Boneyard” (a CLT-inspired beer garden/graveyard featuring hilarious headstones), a “costume catwalk contest” with prizes (bonus points for homemade costumes flaunted on the blood-red carpet), spooky Silent Era shorts accompanied by a live pianist and a showing of Hocus Pocus after dark.

This is a ticketed event with space for 1,000 people. Admission is $10 per person. Kids under 5 are free. Purchase tickets here. Sign up for the costume contest here.

The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: