RSS Feed
 The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards will be at The Roanoke Rapids Theatre on Dec. 18. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec.5. Contributed Photo | Daily Herald |
The production will be the first produced locally by Chicago businessman Lafayette Gatling’s L&M Hospitality, LLC, and will feature a Christmas show by The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.
“We are excited, we’re looking forward to the Dec. 18 show,” said Ernestine B. Beck-Fulgham, director of corporate development for Gatling Community Development Inc.
Roanoke Rapids Mayor Drewery Beale, an ardent supporter of the venue and the Gatling proposal to buy the theater, was also excited. “Everything is moving forward,” he said. “They’ve put their organization together and we’re looking for a good crowd. It’s exciting times again.”
Beale said Gatling has hired a manager for the theater. “They’ll bring their managers and stage people with them. Roanoke Land is helping them tremendously.”
Beale said he was surprised to learn there would be a Christmas show at the theater, which in a nearly two year span has gone through a name change — from The Randy Parton Theatre to The Roanoke Rapids Theatre — and two different managers, Parton and UGL Unicco, before the city decided to take over and then temporarily close its doors. “I was excited to see one,” the mayor said of a show. “I think it will be good for the city.”
Beale said he doesn’t think there will be another show at the venue until the final contract is approved. “They more or less had an opportunity to book a show.”
According to a news release, tickets for the show go on sale Friday.
Tickets will be available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 252-536-5705.
The theater’s box office will begin selling tickets Friday morning at 10 and will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Ticket prices will range from $45 to $65. A limited number of VIP box seats are available for $125. The VIP ticket will include food, a meet and greet with the performers, complimentary wine, special entrance and special parking.
“We’re excited to bring a show of this caliber to Roanoke Rapids. The community response from this performance will be used as important input as we move forward in planning our 2009 season,” said Gatling in the news release. “The public will not be disappointed.”
It was with Edwards as lead singer that The Temptations enjoyed some of their biggest achievements beginning with a long string of No. 1 hit recordings, such as: “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Memories,” “Psychedelic Shack,” “Ball of Confusion,” “Cloud Nine,” “Can’t Get Next to You” and many more.
Their first Grammy award was won with Edwards as lead singer, the first for Motown Records.
Through their career, the group has won a succession of awards that culminated in 14 gold albums, seven Grammy nominations and five Grammy Awards.
Edwards, one of the last surviving members of the group, is known today as one of the most influential singers in the history of pop music.
The Roanoke Valley’s Unfinished Business/Uniquely Different will open the show at 7 p.m. with a selection of holiday favorites. The Temptations Review will take the stage at 8 p.m. Local TV personality Deborah Robinson will serve as the mistress of ceremonies.
This will be the first show at the theater since City Council in October approved by a 4-1 vote going with Gatling’s proposal to buy the building.
City Manager Phyllis Lee said yesterday Gatling has been exercising his options under a 45-day due diligence period that began on Nov. 17 after no upset bids were received on the theater.
During this period Gatling is allowed to go over all aspects of the theater. He has been doing so, Lee said. “They have looked at equipment and brought people in to look at it, a third party expert, and were told it was state of the art.”
Information on structural aspects of the theater have been requested along with warranty information on different components of the building like heating and air and fire alarms.
Thus far, Lee said, Gatling has not asked for any financial information from the city.
As the due diligence period continues, Gatling’s attorneys are reviewing the lease purchase agreement. The city has not heard back from the attorneys on the document, Lee said.
Gatling’s offer to buy the theater was $12.5 million with the written understanding that if he makes timely payments, the purchase price will be reduced to $11.5 million.
Comments