Ridgefield Playhouse Welcomes Charles Esten & Clare Bowen Tonight

Fans will be able to see ABC's "Nashville" stars LIVE at The Ridgefield Playhouse tonight, June 26, at 8 p.m.

Actors Charles Esten and Clare Bowen have plenty of experience making music on the stage and screen, Esten had a long-running stint at the start of his career playing Buddy Holly in the West End, while Bowen appeared in Spring Awakening in her native Australia. So it's no coincidence that they play singer-songwriters on the nighttime soap about the lives and loves of country musicians. Esten and Bowen have been writing and singing for a long time, and, thanks to the launching pad that "Nashville" has provided, they've been scoring slots at the Stagecoach festival and opening gigs for artists such as Alan Jackson and Dierks Bentley. The Ancient Mariner will make it a great night out by pouring a complimentary glass of wine with dinner before the show when tickets are presented. This event is part of the Northeast Builders LLC Country Series with media sponsor Country 92.5fm.

Now in its third season, the critically acclaimed series "Nashville" regularly draws nearly eight million viewers. It is set against the backdrop of the city's music scene and follows Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes. Both women face personal and professional challenges as they navigate their paths as artists and individuals. Surrounding them and often complicating their lives are their family, friends and, in some cases, lovers, as well as the up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. Former "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" star Esten plays singer-songwriter Deacon Claybourne, one half of the tortured romance at the show's heart, opposite Connie Britton's Rayna Jaymes. Bowen plays Claybourne's niece Scarlett O'Connor, a singer-songwriter and member of the aptly named Triple X's with her two former flames, Gunnar (Sam Palladio) and Avery (Jonathan Jackson).

For tickets ($90), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.