Matthews Playhouse is thrilled to open its 29th season with the world premiere of “One Year to Die”, a compelling new World War II drama exploring life on the home front, written by Charles LaBorde and directed by Dennis Delamar.
Set in a small Louisiana town, the play explores the harrowing experiences of Edwina, a White Cajun housewife (Paula Baldwin), and Ella, an African-American widow (Dr. Corlis Hayes), as they await news of their sons' fates during the war. Both women share the burden of crossing racial lines in the South in 1943-1944, reflecting the experiences of countless women who sustained the nation during this tumultuous period.
One Year to Die is inspired by the true experiences of LaBorde's grandmother, Edwina LaBorde, and her son, Joe LaBorde, who served on the USS Rowan during World War II. The USS Rowan was tragically sunk on September 11, 1943, and now lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
This highly anticipated production will run from September 20-29, 2024, with a special “Pay What You Can Preview” on Thursday, September 19th at 7:30 pm, benefiting the Matthews Veterans Memorial Restoration Project.
Cast of One Year to Die on Positively Charlotte (Part One)
Cast of One Year to Die on Positively Charlotte (Part Two)
Meet the full cast!
Charles LaBorde (Playwright)
Dr. Charles LaBorde is a well-known figure in the theatre community and the recipient of numerous regional and national awards for acting, directing, designing, playwriting, and arts education. He is a full member of The Dramatists Guild, Inc.—the professional theatre association of playwrights, composers, and lyricists.
Charles is the founder of the nationally renowned high school at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, where he served as principal for 15 years. He was named Outstanding Arts School Administrator in the nation by the International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools and was honored with the renaming of the school’s black box theatre to the Charles LaBorde Theatre.
His plays, including the award-winning Protective Custody Prisoner—an adaptation of the Holocaust survivor memoir by Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz—Affinity—about Frank Lloyd Wright and the murders at Taliesin—and Unbound—about the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina—have been performed nationally and abroad. Charles holds a Ph.D. in theatre from The Ohio State University and doctoral certification in educational administration from the University of North Carolina.
Dennis Delamar (Director)
Dennis Delamar is an award-winning Charlotte actor, director, retired NC public school teacher (CMS Teacher of the Year), and an active member of our Metrolina theatre community for more than four decades. He appreciates the opportunity to be directing his first show at Matthews Playhouse with a most supportive production team and hard-working talented cast. In March this year, he directed Theatre Charlotte’s regional premiere of Ray Kennedy’s new Southern play, THE THURSDAY NIGHT BRIDGE CIRCLE that also starred our two lead actresses, Paula Baldwin and Dr. Corlis Hayes. Having directed and developed with fellow retired CMS educator and playwright Charles LaBorde’s world premiere of Three Bone Theatre’s PROTECTIVE CUSTODY: PRISONER 34042 in 2019, he is collaborating with Charles again on his latest world premiere, ONE YEAR TO DIE at Matthews Playhouse.
Growing up hearing their fathers’ fascinating war stories and being thankful their dads made it home to start families and live fully productive lives, both gentlemen share great respect for veterans and their fathers’ harrowing service during World War II. Also for their families waiting prayerfully back home during that hard and challenging period in United States history. LaBorde’s father Hav was in the Navy. Hav’s mother was Edwina, as documented in this play, and Delamar’s father Ned was in the Army. Ned’s waiting-back-home mother was Pearl. “How I wish my father and grandmother Pearl could see this one. They’ve been spiritually with me through this directing experience. Like me, they would be so proud of our work, and quite touched by this sweet story of sacrifice, love and friendship.”
Paula Baldwin (Edwina)
Paula Baldwin, (Edwina), an award-winning actor, director, and theatre arts educator, is thrilled to be back on stage at Matthews Playhouse after most recently appearing as the outrageous Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein”. MPH audiences may also remember her performances as Mrs. Peacock in “Clue” and Big Edie in “Grey Gardens”. In addition to acting, Paula directed the MPH productions of “Scrooge!, the Musical” (’23) and “Sister Act” and will be directing “Bright Star” this season. She is a familiar face to audiences in the Charlotte area, having performed in productions at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Theatre Charlotte, Three Bone Theatre, CAST and CPCC Summer Theatre. Paula is a retired Theatre Arts Educator with Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Schools and has directed over one hundred productions including twenty-seven musicals. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting/Directing from UNC-Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Catawba College where she is a member of the Blue Masque Hall of Fame. A huge thank you to my dear friends, Charles LaBorde, and Dennis Delamar, for the opportunity to tell this beautiful story.
Henk Bouhuys (Oscar)
Henk Bouhuys (Oscar) is beyond thrilled to be making his Matthews Playhouse debut alongside this amazingly talented cast, crew and author. Other Charlotte area credits include Ernie in Rumors (Theatre Charlotte), Cecil B. DeMille in Sunset Boulevard (Queen City Concerts), Gaston in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Theatre Charlotte) and Montparnasse/Ensemble in Les Miz (CPCC). Thank you Julie; I couldn't do all this without your unending support.
Thank you, Dennis and Charles, for trusting me with this role. And thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve in our country’s armed forces.
Corlis Hayes (Ella)
Corlis is thrilled to return to Matthew Playhouse in “One Year to Die” in the role of Ella Broussard. Her acting credits at Matthew Playhouse include “Princess Fearless” and “Sister Act” as Sister Theresa. Corlis would like to thank Dennis and Charles for giving her the opportunity to be a part of The World Premiere of “One Year to Die”. For Corlis it has been truly an honor to work with this talented cast and amazing creative team. Their endless support and thoughtfulness have made this experience for her one that she will always cherish.
Corlis would like to dedicate her performance to her great aunts who instilled in her the value of an education, the importance of learning her culture, the benefits of a strong work ethic, the love of serving your community, and being kind to all, regardless of race and ethnicity. Corlis' great aunts shared their experiences with her living in the era of Jim Crow during the 40's as black domestic workers. Her great aunts always reminded her: "Excellent is not dependent upon the color of one's skin, how much money one is born with or where you live or your status in life. Corlis' great aunts gave her the courage to pursue her passion of literature and theatre.
Vic Sayegh (Naval Officer)
Vic Sayegh (Naval Officer), a veteran of the Charlotte scene, is honored to be in his first production at MPH and to be working with this talented cast, production team and under Dennis Delamar's direction.
He was last seen on stage in "Oslo" (Three Bone Theatre) and then took 3 years off to start a business and get married. He would like to thank his incredible wife, Lisa, for giving up some beloved sofa time for the opportunity to see him on stage for the first time.
Robin Canchola (Nodie)
Born and raised in Seattle, Robin (Nodie) began acting in the Seattle production of the musical HAIR, then toured with the show throughout the US and Canada.
After several years living and working in Chicago she returned to Seattle, where her most notable role was as Bev in Pioneer Square Theater’s ANGRY HOUSEWIVES. After she decided to stop performing, she married and raised two kids in Texas while working as a medical transcriptionist. Retirement and a grandson born in Charlotte brought her here, with no one more surprised and delighted than she is to be with you tonight.
Barbara Mager (Sarah)
Barbara Mager (Sarah) is excited to be back onstage for the first time in a very long time. For many years, she was too busy directing and teaching to even think of returning to the stage. Retirement has now ignited the spark to return to her first love of acting & telling stories with like-minded people such as this production team.
Barbara is an award-winning director from her 20 years as the theatre teacher at David W. Butler High School and 10 years at McClintock Middle School. Prior to moving to Charlotte, she was a director/actor/Board member of a community theatre group in Huntington, WV, and a teacher in public schools there. Barbara would like to thank Dennis & Charles for giving her a chance to act again, and she also appreciates her good friend Dana Alderman for encouraging her to audition.
Steve Price (Priest)
Steve Price is proud to return for his second production at Matthews Playhouse, after appearing in last year's "CLUE"!
You may have also seen Steve on stage at Fort Mill Community Playhouse ("Fox on the Fairway") or at Theatre Charlotte in "A Christmas Carol" and most recently in Neil Simon's "Rumors".
If you can't find him on stage, you may run into Steve at any random local brewery or restaurant as he and his wife, Meaghan, like to try out a little bit of everything in town.
Keith Logan (Minister)
Keith Logan (Minister) is thrilled to be in the cast of the world premiere of this exciting new show, "One Year to Die". He is honored to be working with so talented a cast and production team. Director, Dennis Delamar's beautiful vision of playwrite Charles Laborde's sensitively written show is certain to move.
Mr. Logan is so excited to be performing in his first production on the Matthews Playhouse stage. You may have seen him in shows across the greater Charlotte area including "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "A Christmas Carol" at Theater Charlotte, "Jitney" with BNS Productions, "Toni Stone" at Three Bone Theater, and his MTA award winning turn as Ken in "Ain't Misbehavin" at the Green Room Theater. He would like give a special shout out to his daughter, Mya, for first encouraging him to step back onto the stage after a 25 year hiatus. Enjoy the show!
Brian DeDora (Sailor)
Brian DeDora is super excited to be performing not only for the first time at Matthews Playhouse, but also in the worldwide premiere of One Year To Die.
He is grateful for yet another opportunity to hone his craft and to make you believe he is in the 1940's U.S. Navy. Right here, today. Brian is thrilled to take part in this show, but his primary hope is that you share in the excitement with him.
He says, "Enjoy the show, and be a good seat-buddy"!
Bennett Thurgood (Young Joe)
Bennett Thurgood (Young Joe) is excited to be a part of his 2nd production at Matthews Playhouse. Bennett performed as Sheldon and the Vacationer in “Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr.” (Matthews Playhouse) and has also participated in “Wicked” (MPH summer camp) as well as “Mecklenburg Song and Dance Competition” (Miller Street Dance Academy).
Bennett loves to be on the stage and looks forward to a Broadway debut soon. When Bennett is not on the stage you can find him playing Clue, bike riding, or creating something. Bennett would like to thank his parents (Tyler and Megan) for all their support and encouragement. He would also like to thank his three sisters who teach him the real meaning of drama.
Aaron Scott Brown (Young Lonnie)
Aaron Scott Brown (Young Lonnie) is excited to be marking his 8th year with Matthews Playhouse. He started at age five, in 2016. Some of his previous credits include "Hello, Dolly!", "Peter Pan", and "A Walk Down Broadway" with Matthews Playhouse; additionally "Annie" at Children's Theatre of Charlotte, and multiple shows at Northwest School of the Arts, where he studies as an eighth grader.
When not working with the Playhouse, Aaron spends his free time reading, writing, studying dance, and with his family. Many thanks to Charles LaBorde and Dennis Delamar for their incredible support throughout the production process.
Battle Sequence Voices
Dionte Darko (Voice of Lonnie)
Dionte Darko is more than thrilled to be making his Matthews Playhouse Debut as the voice of Lonnie. He previously appeared in Three Bone Theatre’s production of “Thoughts of a Colored Man” (LUST) and Old Town Theatre’s Production of “It's a Wonderful Life” (George Bailey).
Darko is a 2020 Graduate of Winthrop University's Theatre Program with a focus on Performance. Dionte would like to thank his mother for believing in his passions and his family for always supporting him. Instagram: @diontedarko
Thom Tonetti (Battle Sequence Voices)
Thom is thrilled to be involved with a Matthews Playhouse production for the first time! He wants to thank Charles for always being there and for always being supportive. He also wants to thank Dennis for the opportunity and looks forward to working together again. Recording the battle sequence was a fun day!
Andrew Roberts- Battle Sequence Voice
Andrew C. Roberts (Battle Sequence Voice) is a stage, film and voiceover actor who has performed on stage and film throughout the Charlotte, NC and Hampton Roads, Virginia areas. Some notable credits Andrew has performed include: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”, “Blessed Assurance”, “12 Angry Jurors”, “The Gift” (The Musical), “Then There Were None”, “Prophesy to the Bones: And Other Stories Black Folx Whisper”, “Christmas Spirits and Missing Lisa Part III”, “Twisted Island and Vices” (voiceover) and “A Soldier's Play”. Additionally, Andrew’s commercial and extra credit include: Phillips Electronics Inc, South Bank of Tennessee and Canon Virginia, Box of Moonlight, Iron Fist Angel. Andrew is looking forward to expanding his acting in film and theatre. Instagram: andrewcroberts7
Graham Williams (Battle Sequence Voice)
Graham Williams is excited to be joining Matthews Playhouse. He made his debut in the award winning play “Speakeasy”.
He has appeared in various productions around Charlotte including August Wilson’s “Jitney”, “Fences”, and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline” and “Detroit 67”, BNS’ The Musical “Be A Lion”, and many others.
This production contains mature content and is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Performance Schedule:
“Pay What You Can Preview” Thursday, September 19th @ 7:30 p.m. - suggested donation is $10 per person, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Matthews Veterans Memorial Restoration Project. Admission is general seating and donations are collected at the door via cash or credit.
Ticketed Performances: Friday, September 20th through Sunday, September 29th
Friday, September 20th 6:00pm-7:15pm - Opening Night Reception- All are welcome!
Saturday, September 21st - Post-Show Talk Back with Charles LaBorde, Dennis Delamar and members of the cast immediately following the 2pm performance.
Ticket Information: Prices range from $13 to $20, with discounts for seniors, military personnel, students, and children. Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families will receive a 25% discount on their ticket order when they use code MILITARY25 at checkout. This production contains mature language and subject matter and is recommended for ages 16 and up.
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