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Carole Bufford returns to Georgia as lead in 'Peter Pan' Feb. 8-10
Bufford, a Lincoln County native, is the daughter of Bill and Kaye Bufford of Lincolnton and the granddaughter of Ed and Eva Burdette of Washington, Gwinn and Cliffy Ware of Evans, formerly of Tignall, and the late Buddy Bufford and Lilly Bufford Wells. "Peter Pan has been a dream role for as long as I can remember," said Bufford. "We had Mary Martin on a Beta tape and I used to watch it over and over and over when I was a child. I always loved that musical." The dream finally came true when, accompanied by Tinkerbell, she donned her green tights and soared back and forth to Neverland in the production. Based on the play by James M. Barrie, the musical featured such well-loved numbers as " I Won't Grow Up," "Neverland," "I Gotta Crow" and "I'm Flying." Along with lots of flying, the show boasted a 15-piece orchestra and the actual costumes from the national tour. According to Brandt Blocker, artistic director and general manager of Atlanta Lyric Theatre, "When Carole first auditioned, I wrote 'We have our Pan' in my notebook. She was born to play this part. Her talent is incredible. It totally surpasses her years. She can hold her own with anyone on stage. "This was clearly a role Carole has always wanted to play," the director continued. "We are blessed to give her the opportunity to perform it and the audience will be blessed with the opportunity to see her on stage as Peter Pan." In other comments, Blocker called Bufford a pro. "She is well-prepared and works very, very hard. She is a perfectionist and wants to get it right. "We are proud to show Carole off here in Atlanta because it's clear she is going to have an amazing career in New York." Bufford is currently living in New York City where she is carving out a career for herself as a professional actor. "I keep busy, trying to sing as much as possible," she said. "I also audition like a maniac." When she is not auditioning or performing, Bufford serves as a personal assistant for a family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Since her graduation from Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Arts in musical theater, the Lincoln County graduate has experienced quite a few career highlights. These include landing the title role in the touring cast of the musical "Junie B. Jones;" playing the role of Kween in the off-Broadway production of "Trouble in Shameland;" serving as the understudy for two members of the cast of "A Christmas Carol" at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City; and performing a solo cabaret in Manhattan titled "An Inappropriate Evening with Carole J. Bufford" which garnered rave reviews. Concerning her debut as Peter Pan, Bufford said when she came across the listing for the audition and saw that it was in Atlanta, she knew she had to try out for the part. "I didn't hear from them for a while. Then Brandt Blocker called and asked me to return to Atlanta for a 'call back.' After the audition we went to lunch and at the very end of the meal, Brandt told me I'd gotten the part. "I was so excited. I always wanted to play Peter Pan and to be able to do it in Georgia where all my family could come and see me - I was elated. "It's a magical role," the young actor explained. "Peter Pan is a well concocted character. He's spunky, mischievous and energetic. He can get away with anything. He doesn't want to grow up and neither do I. He's such a fun character to play. "Also, there's a moment when the audience actually becomes part of Peter's world and must clap to keep Tinkerbell alive. It's just magical." As for the flying, ZFX, Inc., the same company that flew Cathy Rigby around the stage during the musical's national tour, was responsible for making Bufford soar. "These people are complete professionals, so I'm trusting them with my life," she said. "I haven't flown yet, so I don't know what it feels like. I do know that the first time I flyonto the stage and see a live audience before me will be a moment I'll never forget." According to the many from the Washington-Wilkes area who watched her soar, it was a moment they won't forget either. Gathering in Atlanta for the performance were grandmother, Eva Burdette; also Teresa Burdette, Russell Burdette, W.E. Burdette IV, Katherine Burdette, Bobbie Ann Griffin, Dawn Pickens, Joanna Waller, Mary Donna Lunceford, Mary Katherine and Maci Dyson, Alice Lindsey and Rosemary Hopkins. Joining this group were Bettye and Richard Duke of Louisville, Ky.
Others "spotted" from the area were Skeet Willingham and Ginny King and grandchildren; also Penny Callaway, Sheila Callaway and daughter, Alaina.
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