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North Carolina

Curtain Up! Broadway Musicals in the ‘Land of the Sky’

Program No. 22396RJ
Experience the love of Broadway music in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With an expert in show tunes at the piano, get a behind-the-scenes view of musical theater and its glorious history.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 14 - Apr 19, 2024
Starting at
799
Aug 25 - Aug 30, 2024
Starting at
799
Sep 15 - Sep 20, 2024
Starting at
799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 14 - Apr 19, 2024
Starting at
999
Filling Fast!
Aug 25 - Aug 30, 2024
Starting at
999
Sep 15 - Sep 20, 2024
Starting at
999

At a Glance

Ethel Merman. “Show Boat.” “Oklahoma.” Many blocks from Manhattan’s dazzling lights, experience the very same love for Broadway music in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Hear the fingertips of a Broadway aficionado plunk the piano keys as your learning adventure moves from revered show tunes to musical blockbusters. Delight in the virtuoso's arrangements of show tunes. Go close-up on Broadway tunes and shows through captivating video clips. And take your seat for a behind-the-music discussion discovering the glorious history of musical theater!
Activity Level
Easy Going
All facilities are in one building, with approximately 300 yards walking required; a few stairs. Outside areas are mountainous, with inclines and uneven terrain.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Learn from an award-winning university professor who is an expert on Broadway musicals and show tunes.
  • Reminisce and explore from a feel-good list of dozens of musicals and show tunes.
  • Hear a prized multi-media presentation on Broadway music and explore the genre’s connections to classical and jazz.

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event, and a value-priced single room. Opportunities are available for traveling companions to attend a different program at Montreat during the same week. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All Experts
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Michael Ruiz
Michael Ruiz — originally from Camden, New Jersey — is professor emeritus at UNC Asheville, and a pianist whose original piano concertos were performed by the Winston-Salem Symphony, with each of his three children as soloists. He was featured on CNN for innovative multimedia use of the computer in higher education and was the 2004 University of North Carolina at Asheville recipient of the UNC Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Michael holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Maryland.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Michael Ruiz
Michael Ruiz View biography
Michael Ruiz — originally from Camden, New Jersey — is professor emeritus at UNC Asheville, and a pianist whose original piano concertos were performed by the Winston-Salem Symphony, with each of his three children as soloists. He was featured on CNN for innovative multimedia use of the computer in higher education and was the 2004 University of North Carolina at Asheville recipient of the UNC Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Michael holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of Maryland.
Profile Image of Tracy Bailey
Tracy Bailey View biography
Tracy has been on the program staff of Montreat Conference Center since 1986. She began working with Elderhostel programs in 1989, and in 1997 assumed the additional role of on-site coordinator. A native of the area, she graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College in 1981. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, pottery and reading. Tracy married Sam in 2007, and added three daughters to her family. In addition to her own grown children, she and Sam have been foster parents since 2010. They have four grandchildren.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Popular Music in America: And the Beat Goes On
by Michael Campbell
One More Kiss
by Ethan Mordden
Classical Music for Dummies
by David Pogue and Scott Speck
The Golden Age of Cinema: Hollywood, 1929-1945
by Richard Jewell
Film Choreographers and Dance Directors: An Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia with a History and Filmographies
by Larry Billman
Dancing in the Sun: Hollywood Choreographers, 1915-1937
by Naima Prevots
Everything is Coming Up Roses
by Ethan Mordden
The Jazz Standards: A Guide to Repertoire
by Ted Gioia
The Hollywood Musical (2nd edition)
by Jane Feuer
Open a New Window
by Ethan Mordden
Sing for Your Supper
by Ethan Mordden
The History of Jazz
by Ted Gioia
Oh, What a Beautiful Morning
by Ethan Mordden





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.