Jeffrey Ellis - Page 161

ACT 1, one of Nashville's oldest community theatre groups, staged the Gilbert & Sullivan classic The Mikado as the first production of its 20th anniversary season. Running August 7-22, The Mikado was directed by Bob Fish, with music direction by Lee Druce, the cast featured Francine Berk, Whitney Rose Cone, Steven Luboniecki, Valerie Navarre, James Rudolph, Daniel Sadler, Vicki White, John Wilson, L.T. Kirk, Amber Boyer, Megan Hunt, Jamie Janiszewski, Brenda Jones, Tricia Musser, Becca Nelson, Andrew Drumheller, Jamie Helms, Josh Matthews, Danny Proctor and Daniel Vincent. The show was produced by Donald Powell, Jennifer Rybolt and Sue Stinemetz.

Cathie Correia Stamps directs the seminal Broadway musical West Side Story as the 41st season-opening production of Franklin's Pull-Tight Players, opening Friday, August 28, and continuing through September 19. With a book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Berstein, the musical is currently reaching new audiences, thanks to the Tony Award-nominated revival on Broadway.

Seeking 'to provide an artistic outlet to Nashville and surrounding cities, as well as to provide a platform for actors, directors, producers, writers and theatre enthusiasts to network and learn,' the fourth annual Shades of Black Theatre Festival begins Monday night, August 24, with an opening mixer to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. (CDT) at Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville.

Green has long been heralded as one of the region's finest music directors, while Ditty has gained a justifiably stellar reputation as one of the best choreographers around. With this production, which exemplifies the term 'all-singing, all-dancing,' it's apropos then that the two would share the directing credit. Obviously, from the first notes of the overture to the final tormented moments of Jesus Christ's death on the cross, the shared vision of the two men is vividly portrayed and stunningly realized. The work, widely considered the first 'rock opera,' is movingly exhilarating, taking audiences on a veritable rollercoaster ride of emotional highs and lows.

Seeking 'to provide an artistic outlet to Nashville and surrounding cities, as well as to provide a platform for actors, directors, producers, writers and theatre enthusiasts to network and learn,' the fourth annual Shades of Black Theatre Festival begins Monday night, August 24, with an opening mixer to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. (CDT) at Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's historic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar bows at Boiler Room Theatre Friday night, August 21, continuing through September 19 at the Franklin theatre. Directed by Jamey Green, with choreography by Billy Ditty, Jesus Christ Superstar is widely regarded as the first rock opera, originally created as a concept album at the end of the '60s.

Since returning to the world of theatre via BroadwayWorld.com about a month ago, after an almost seven year absence, I've had the invaluable opportunity of reconnecting with a number of old acquaintances and renewing long-dormant friendships and relationships with people connected to the theatre scene in Nashville and throughout Tennesseee.

Lebanon's Millworks Theatre today unveils its first production for a run that continues through September 26. The curtain goes up at 1:30 p.m. (CDT) on That's Country!, a two-hour variety revue that managing director Kevin Raymond says 'is a must if you're a country music fan-or even if you're not!'

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's historic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar bows at Boiler Room Theatre Friday night, August 21, continuing through September 19 at the Franklin theatre. Directed by Jamey Green, with choreography by Billy Ditty, Jesus Christ Superstar is widely regarded as the first rock opera, originally created as a concept album at the end of the '60s.

If you ever needed any evidence that musical theatre is alive and well in Music City USA, you need look no further than Nashville Dinner Theatre's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which this weekend wraps up its run at the Senior Center for the Arts. It is superbly acted, beautifully sung and confidently staged. It remains a compelling piece of theatre, as moving as any I've ever seen.

Due to the prompt action of Metro Nashville officials, Circle Players will be able to stage its final three performances of Fame, the Musical this weekend at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre.

Due to the prompt action of Metro Nashville officials, Circle Players will be able to stage its final three performances of Fame, the Musical this weekend at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre.

Tennessee Players will present a theatrical tribute to Albert Schweitzer and composer Johann Sebastian Bach during the weekend of August 28 and 29.

The bestselling memoir of Melba Patillo Beals, one of nine African American students chosen in 1957 to integrate Little Rock's Central High School, provides the basis for Warriors Don't Cry, the season-opening production of Tennessee Women's Theatre Project's 2009-10 season.

Take one of east Nashville's hottest hot spots, mix in a couple hundred theatre enthusiasts, add a dollop of Vegas-style entertainment and a whole slew of gaming tables and you have the second annual fundraiser for Street Theatre Company: It's Vegas, Baby! Held Thursday, August 13, at Limelight, 201 Woodland Street, just across from LP Field, the event attracted a large sampling of Nashville's theatre community and socialites.

Due to the prompt action of Metro Nashville officials, Circle Players will be able to stage its final three performances of Fame, the Musical this weekend at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre.

Single tickets for the upcoming works included in Nashville Ballet's 2009-2010 season will go on sale Monday, September 7.

Michael Kaiser, president of the Kennedy Center, will be the featured speaker Thursday as the Metro Nashville Arts Commission hosts Arts In Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative at Nashville Children's Theatre.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival's 22nd annual Shakespeare in the Park-featuring two productions this year--runs August 13-September 13 in Nashville's historic Centennial Park, including a special show on Labor Day Monday.

East Nashville's Limelight will be transformed with some Vegas-style magic on Thursday, August 13, as Street Theatre Company hosts its second annual fundraiser, It's Vegas, Baby!