'Nickleby' run begins Nov. 11

CHAPEL HILL -- PlayMakers Repertory Company will stage the biggest production in its history with "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" Nov. 11-Dec. 20.

The professional theater-in-residence at UNC will present the stage version of Charles Dickens' masterpiece in two parts, running in rotating repertory.

The Tony Award-winning play by David Edgar will feature 25 actors playing more than 150 characters. Edgar has been consulting on the production and was in residence at PlayMakers during early rehearsals.

PlayMakers' producing artistic director Joseph Haj, who will co-direct the play, said that Dickens' novel will be brought to life with all the colorful characters, fantastic twists of fate, sly humor and rich, interwoven tapestry of his immortal tale.

Show times will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (except on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26), 2 p.m. on Saturdays (except Nov. 14) and 2 p.m. Sundays (except Nov. 15). For a performance schedule, to purchase tickets and to learn about community activities related to the play, call (919) 962-PLAY (7529) or visit www.playmakersrep.org.

All performances will be in the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Tickets are $10 to $40.

'Time for Singing' at Holy Trinity

CHAPEL HILL -- Richard Wall, Chapel Hill-based musical director, singing coach and music director/organist at Haw River's Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, is pleased to present an afternoon of "A Time for Singing: The Best of Broadway," featuring some of the Triangle's finest singers on Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Reception Hall, (Old Sanctuary), 300 East Rosemary St., Chapel Hill.

This event is free and open to the public with donations accepted. All proceeds will benefit the Habitat for Humanity project of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Global Vaccines, a local nonprofit creating new, low-cost vaccines for poor countries fighting HIV, polio, influenza, rotavirus, and other diseases.

Performers donating their talent for this special benefit performance include Jim Burnette, John Cashwell, Steve Dobbins, Shannon French, Nicole Graziano, Janie Imperial, Pelham Jacobs, Emily Johnston, Anna Kirby, Celia LaBranche, Evelyn McCauley, John Oliver and Tom Terry. Richard Wall will appear as host and pianist.

"A Time for Singing" is free and open to the public. Donations accepted to support Habitat for Humanity and Global Vaccines.

For more information, contact Richard Wall at (919) 942-0972.

Organist to mark church milestone

CHAPEL HILL -- Organist Alexander Anderson will perform on Nov. 13, in a program that launches a Centennial Concert Series commemorating the 100th birthday of United Church of Chapel Hill. Anderson's concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the church's sanctuary at 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. There is no admission charge. Donations in support of the church's music program are suggested.

Anderson's program ranges from the Renaissance to the 19th century, and will feature works by 16th century composers Sweelinck, Frescobaldi, Byrd and Gibbons; a suite by Cl