Ground UP Productions celebrated their ninth anniversary on Saturday night with a nod to their North Carolina roots, turning the 2014 gala into a “Bluegrass Bash.” Vaunted barbecue eatery Blue Smoke was on site serving up tender pulled pork (Carolina style, naturally) with all the traditional sides as guests crowded their plates with the likes of gooey mac’ and cheese, fresh collard greens, tasty baked beans, coleslaw and warm corn bread.  The theater production company lined the walls of 353WESTNYC with posters of their plays and musicals from over the years, leading guests from the BBQ stations and bar into the performance space.

The Gold Hope Duo, Lara Hope and Matt “The Knife” Goldpaugh, got toes tapping with their blend of rockabilly, folk and r&b.  Hailing from Kingston, New York, the Duo entertained with up-tempo tunes and a sense of humor.   The two shared vocal and percussion duties while performing songs inspired by love, drinking, and crashing on friends’ couches- the essential elements to which New Yorker can relate.

After The Gold Hope Duo’s first set, Ground UP presented the original cast of The People vs Mona for a mini concert of songs from the play.  Seven years to the day after they originally performed the show together, the players belted out tunes about Mona and her murder trial in a town down on its luck.  The cast was accompanied by a three-piece band – and occasionally by audience participation – as they showed off why Ground UP has found success in its first nine years. The Gold Hope Duo took the stage again to close out the night and keep the good spirits going on the celebratory evening for Ground UP productions. The troupe embodies the essence of local theatre here in New York City- give them a little bit of love by checking out their website.

- Mallory Sullivan