Flat Rock – The official state playhouse’s six main stage productions in 2025 have two musicals. The amazing dance extravaganza Cats is on April 25-May 17. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, about the star songwriter and singer’s life, is on June 6-July 5.
The comedy The Play That Goes Wrong is on July 24-Aug. 2. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express mystery is on Sept. 5-28. The season finale, as always is A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas, on Nov. 28-Dec. 21.
John Lloyd Young, hailed as “Broadway’s Jersey Boy,” performs three concerts at FRP on Nov. 13-14. Tony and Grammy winner Young is a concert artist and multi-platinum recording artist, and esteemed actor. He starred as Sixties pop star Frankie Valli both in Jersey Boys, both in the film directed by Clint Eastwood and on Broadway. So far, he is the only American actor in a Broadway debut to win all four major Broadway leading actor in a musical awards — the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Award.
Other FRP shows are diverse musical tribute acts. Stairway to (Led) Zeppelin is on March 20-22. Michael Jackson (MJ (Michael Jackson) the Illusion is on April 10-12. There are tributes to pianists Elton John/Billy Joel, crooner Michael Bublé, and to Grand ‘Ole Opry’s country sounds.
Mix Tape
First up, on Feb. 20-23, is Mix Tape: The Best of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, volume 2. This follows a similar show a year ago that went over well with patrons for its variety of styles and artists honored. In volume one last year, there were rock hits of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Seger, Jefferson Airplane; and the Allman Brothers Band; also pop classics of Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Otis Redding, Toto, and The Outfield. The show focuses on a three-decade classic era of pop and rock, rather than one band as in many Music on the Rock® shows.
All-Star Tribune Band
The sensational Mix Tape all-star band has seasoned guitarist-vocalists Dustin Brayley, Ryan Dunn, Eric Anthony and Ryan Guerra; and percussionist Paul Babelay. They have played hits of The Beatles, The Eagles, The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty, Queen, James Taylor, and many others in Music on the Rock® shows.
Zany pianist Nat Zegree and superb violinist and singer Lauren Wright again join them as special guests. Wright starred in Autumn at the Opry and with Zegree in Mozart to Pop Chart, Vol. 2. In the first Mix Tape, Wright played a smooth violin on The Beatle’s solemn “She’s Leaving Home.” She lists her vocal range as soprano/”high belt.” She toured nationally in Mamma Mia!.
The core band members are also prolific, with a showy bonus. They are very experienced outside of FRP, performing in concerts and hit musicals.
For instance, energetic Brayley is a Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist and singer. He was on Broadway in Rocktopia with rock stars Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. Brayley starred in national tours of Saturday Night Fever, Miss Saigon, and Rent. He has acted in films and television.
Guerra was Music on the Rock® musical director for several shows. He’s sung George Harrison tunes at FRP. Guerra first acted at FRP in 2010. He has a recurring musical gig on a steamboat based in Oregon.
Burly, bearded Dunn is a veteran of FRP musicals and concerts. He and his wife Annalyse McCoy hosted a series called The Valley Hour during the pandemic, featuring Grammy-winning artists in New York’s Hudson Valley.
Anthony has a raspy voice similar to that of Don Henley and Bryan Adams. The northern California native performs at the ski resort in Park City, Utah. His cover list of more than 500 hits includes from Eric Clapton and John Mayer and newer artists such as Bruno Mars, John Legend, and Ed Sheeran. He met the band’s other fellows in college.
Drummer Babelay is the longest-tenured (31 years) with FRP, of these band members. He conducts the Biltmore Community Orchestra. Babelay once jammed on stage with Chaka Khan. He has taught songwriting workshops for the National Endowment for the Arts.
For show information and to buy tickets for the season, packages or single shows, check flatrockplayhouse.org.