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THE WOLVES, SWEENEY TODD Win Top Awards at 2019 Midwinter's First Night
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jan 15, 2019

Actors Bridge Ensemble's critically acclaimed production of Sarah DeLappe's The Wolves and Cumberland County Playhouse's stunning mounting of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street were named as the top shows of the year during Midwinter's First Night, the annual tribute to theater in Tennessee, held at Nashville's The Larry Keeton Theatre Sunday night, January 13.

Nashville Theater Scene Heats Up at Midwinter's First Night 2019
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jan 6, 2019

Performances from productions of director Brian Jones' Avenue Q, for Nashville's Circle Players - Middle Tennessee's oldest community theater organization - and Center for the Arts' Newsies, directed by 2019 Theaterati of the Year nominee Mark David Williams, are among highlights of next Sunday's Midwinter's First Night - Celebrating 30 Years in Nashville.

First Night's Top Ten of 2018 Announced in Nashville Tonight
by Jeffrey Ellis - Dec 10, 2018

In anticipation of the gala 30th anniversary celebration of The First Night Awards, Tennessee's best and brightest in live theater were revealed tonight as First Night's Top Ten of 2018 - reviewer and critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual recognition for theater in the Volunteer State - were announced during a Facebook Live presentation from Nashville.

SAVE THE DATE: Nashville Theater Calendar for December 10, 2018
by Jeffrey Ellis - Dec 10, 2018

Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, including a number of holiday season offerings to put you in the Christmas spirit, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for December 3, 2018, to help you plot your course through the first few weeks of 2019...

SAVE THE DATE: Nashville Theater Calendar for December 3, 2018
by Jeffrey Ellis - Dec 3, 2018

Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, including a number of holiday season offerings to put you in the Christmas spirit, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for December 3, 2018, to help you plot your course through the beginning of a new year...

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at ACCC to Reunite Director and Star After Almost 20 Years
by Jeffrey Ellis - Nov 19, 2018

In an act of theatrical symmetry, full of the 'whimsical magic' only live performance can provide, the first production of Arts Center of Cannon County's 2019 Season - the stage version of Singin' in the Rain - will reunite the director with his leading actress, whom he first cast in her very first musical when she was nine years old. It's been almost 20 years since the last time veteran director Jeffrey Ellis initially worked with Lindsey Mapes Duggin, the director of education for Arts Center of Cannon County, who will lead the cast of Singin' in the Rain as its heroine, young star-to-be Kathy Selden, as well as taking on the role of producer.

Playwrights Realm Announces Cast And Creative Team For Jonathan Payne's THE REVOLVING CYCLES TRULY AND STEADILY ROLL'D
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 13, 2018

The Playwrights Realm (Katherine Kovner, Founding Artistic Director; Roberta Pereira, Producing Director) today announces the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Jonathan Payne's The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll'd, directed by Awoye Timpo (Sept. 7-Oct. 6, at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project).  This world premiere marks the first full production from the mordantly funny and unsparing voice of Jonathan Payne.

Michael Franti's STAY HUMAN And Grant Korgan's THE PUSH Tie For Illuminate Film Festival Audience Award
by Julie Musbach - Jun 6, 2018

Michael Franti's new film Stay Human tied with Grant Korgan's The Push for the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 5th annual ILLUMINATE Film Festival, May 30 - June 3 in Sedona.

5th Annual ILLUMINATE Film Festival Offers Movies That Stir Your Soul
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2018

Film has the power to illuminate, to make us feel deeply, essentially taking us to a place beyond ourselves. As a medium, it opens hearts and minds, and our response to it is both visceral and personal. Underneath this response lies the unspoken connection between us all, and nowhere is this more evident than at the ILLUMINATE Film Festival. Renowned for their groundbreaking immersive approach to the film festival experience, the 5th annual ILLUMINATE Film Festival returns May 30th-June 3rd. The premier conscious film festival, which some have referred to as the Sundance of the conscious film industry, ILLUMINATE is dedicated to elevating awareness and inspiring lasting transformation through cinema.

BWW Review: THE LITTLE FOXES Captivatingly Shines Spotlight on Power and Greed at Darkhorse Theatre
by Cillea Houghton - May 16, 2018

There's something striking about the way that THE LITTLE FOXES manages to leave an impact on its viewers, not with flash and spectacle, but with its piercing dialogue and moral complexity.

Shute-Pettaway, Wilds Head Cast of ACT 1's Upcoming Production of THE LITTLE FOXES
by Jeffrey Ellis - Apr 3, 2018

Helen Olaketi Mariah Shute-Pettaway, a 2011 First Night Honoree and one of Nashville's most revered actresses, will take on the iconic role of Regina Giddens in the ACT 1 production of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes. Directed by 2014 First Night Honoree Jeffrey Ellis, senior contributing editor for BroadwayWorld.com, The Little Foxes runs at Darkhorse Theatre May 4-19.

Inda Eaton Returns To Bay Street Theater
by Stephi Wild - Feb 16, 2018

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce Inda Eaton will be returning to Bay Street Theater with her new concert, titled Authentic Adventures: Acoustic Highway, on Friday, March 16 at 8 pm. Tickets are $30 when purchased in advance and $40 when purchased the day of the event. Tickets are on sale now at baystreet.org and through the Box Office at 631-725-9500.

Norma Luther, Ernie Nolan Named 'Theaterati of the Year' at Midwinter's First Night
by Jeffrey Ellis - Jan 29, 2018

Ernie Nolan, executive artistic director of Nashville Children's Theatre, and Norma Luther, who took over ownership of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and spearheaded its renaissance in 2017, last night claimed top honors as "Theaterati of the Year" at Midwinter's First Night at Music Valley Event Center.

WINTER WONDERETTES Opens Today 11/30 at The Larry Keeton Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Nov 30, 2017

Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Suzy and Missy known collectively as The Marvelous Wonderettes join forces once more some 10 years after their first appearance as a singing girl group at 1958's Springfield High School Prom to help usher in the Christmas season at Harper's Hardware Shop in the spirited and sparkling holiday season musical revue Winter Wonderettes, playing The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson November 30-December 17.

WINTER WONDERETTES Opens Thursday 11/30 at The Larry Keeton Theatre
by Jeffrey Ellis - Nov 28, 2017

Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Suzy and Missy known collectively as The Marvelous Wonderettes join forces once more some 10 years after their first appearance as a singing girl group at 1958's Springfield High School Prom to help usher in the Christmas season at Harper's Hardware Shop in the spirited and sparkling holiday season musical revue Winter Wonderettes, playing The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson November 30-December 17.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC Next Onstage at Larry Keeton Theatre October 12-28
by BWW News Desk - Oct 28, 2017

Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic 1949 musical about life, romance and hardships during World War II, which broached serious and controversial social issues still being dealt with in the 21st century South Pacific debuts at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson for an October 12-28 run.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC Next Onstage at Larry Keeton Theatre Today-28
by BWW News Desk - Oct 12, 2017

Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic 1949 musical about life, romance and hardships during World War II, which broached serious and controversial social issues still being dealt with in the 21st century South Pacific debuts at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson for an October 12-28 run.

Critic's Choice: What's Playing in Tennessee? Nashville Theater Calendar for 9/21/17
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 21, 2017

Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC Next Onstage at Larry Keeton Theatre October 12-28
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 19, 2017

Rodgers and Hammerstein's iconic 1949 musical about life, romance and hardships during World War II, which broached serious and controversial social issues still being dealt with in the 21st century South Pacific debuts at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson for an October 12-28 run.

Critic's Choice: What's Playing in Tennessee? Nashville Theater Calendar for September 13, 2017
by Jeffrey Ellis - Sep 13, 2017

Feeling the urge to let your imagination run wild, your spirit to soar or to just leave the world in which you live and go on an adventure? Sounds like a trip to the theater is in order! Luckily, companies all over the Volunteer State have been hard at work, creating new productions to transform and to transport, shows that will entertain you this summer. That's where THE NASHVILLE THEATER CALENDAR comes in handy: Peruse our listings every week to find out what shows you should see!

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