Jeffrey Ellis - Page 112

Jeffrey Ellis

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 35 years. In 1989, Ellis and his partner launched Dare, Tennessee's Lesbian and Gay Newsweekly which later became known as Query. Ellis is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theater in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly.  He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors - the history of which can be traced to 1989 and the first presentation of The First Night Awards - which honor outstanding theater artisans from Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and also includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors recognition. Midwinter's First Night honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. An accomplished director, Ellis helmed productions of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, all in their Nashville premieres, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show. Ellis was recognized by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror. Since 2015, Ellis has been increasingly in demand as a director by a variety of Tennessee theater companies and he has helmed productions of Picnic (Circle Players), The Last Five Years (VWA Theatricals), The Miss Firecracker Contest, Cabaret, My Fair Lady, Daddy's Dyin'...Who's Got the Will?, South Pacific, Winter Wonderettes and The Wizard of Oz (The Larry Keeton Theatre), The Little Foxes (ACT 1), The Boys in the Band (Jeffey Ellis Presents), Singin' in the Rain (Arts Center of Cannon County) and The Secret Garden (Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro) and, in 2020, the 70th anniversary season production of La Cage Aux Folles for Circle Players. Later this year, he will be directing Beautiful: The Carole King Musical for Center for the Arts.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Jeffrey Ellis

First Show:

EVITA, starring Patti LuPone

Favorite Stories:



Trish Crist's Follow-Up To WHAT is WHO, Debuting at Darkhorse 11/4
November 4, 2011

Trish Crist, the award-winning playwright of What, follows up to that critically acclaimed play with Who, presented by Rhubarb Theater Company November 4-12 at Darkhorse Theater. 'The fast-moving collection of stories are all set in Nashville and the play is a smart sequel to What, which was named Best Original Play of 2009 by the Nashville Scene,' Crist explains.

Voting Under Way for BroadwayWorld.com Nashville Theatre Awards
Voting Under Way for BroadwayWorld.com Nashville Theatre Awards
November 3, 2011

Voting is now under way for the second BroadwayWorld.com Nashville Theatre Awards and, for the first time, theater companies outside Nashville will be recognized with the BroadwayWorld.com Tennessee Theatre Awards.

Studio Tenn Revives Holiday Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Studio Tenn Revives Holiday Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL
November 3, 2011

Studio Tenn presents its production of A Christmas Carol at the Franklin Theatre, running December 8-18. The production, named 'Best Christmas Show in Nashville' by the Nashville Scene's Annual Best Of issue, is now in its second season and opens the same weekend as the annual 'Dickens of a Christmas Festival' on Main Street.

THE TEN MINUTE PLAYHOUSE Announces 12 Plays & Playwrights Selected for November Showcase
THE TEN MINUTE PLAYHOUSE Announces 12 Plays & Playwrights Selected for November Showcase
November 3, 2011

A Lincoln impersonator looking for a really good time, a Middle Eastern immigrant looking to rent a room, World of Warcraft devotees giving their friend an ultimatum, and a sexy co-worker looking for a promotion - those are just a few of the diverse characters to be found among the 12 exciting new plays at The Ten Minute Playhouse. Set for November 6 and 7 at the Darkhorse Theater, The Ten Minute Playhouse presented by New Works Nashville features a collection of new plays by Middle Tennessee playwrights performed in staged readings by local talent.

BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Kicks Off Holiday Season at Cumberland County Playhouse
November 3, 2011

Lindy Pendzick and husband Greg Pendzick take on the roles of Grace and her wisecracking spouse, with leading kids' roles played by Crossville's Mary Kemp, Ellie Burnett, Cory Clark, Phillip Hall, and Molly McKinney of Pikeville, plus Crossville's Katey Dailey, Chelsea Boelter, Aiden Morrison, Alli Crain, Perrianna Evans and Emery Smith, along with Andy Swafford of Bledsoe County, and Jacob Copeland of Jamestown.

Blackbird Cofounders Present a Public Reading of New Musical MYTH, 11/12
Blackbird Cofounders Present a Public Reading of New Musical MYTH, 11/12
November 2, 2011

Myth, an original musical by Blackbird Theater co-founders Wes Driver and Greg Greene and composer Michael Slayton, will be presented in front of an audience for the first time on Saturday, November 12, at Lipscomb University's Shamblin Theater.

ACT 1 Stages FANN-MADE, PERMISSION GRANTED, UNOFFICAL PRODUCTION OF DR. HORRIBLE'S SINGALONG BLOG
ACT 1 Stages FANN-MADE, PERMISSION GRANTED, UNOFFICAL PRODUCTION OF DR. HORRIBLE'S SINGALONG BLOG
November 1, 2011

Nashville audiences will be treated to a stage adaptation of one of the internet's biggest pop-culture phenomenon as ACT 1 presents a Fann-made, Permission Granted, Unofficial production of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, running November 18-December 3 at The Darkhorse Theatre.

BWW Reviews: A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Settles In for a Pre-Holiday Run at The Renaissance Center
BWW Reviews: A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD Settles In for a Pre-Holiday Run at The Renaissance Center
October 31, 2011

Now onstage at Dickson's Renaissance Center, in a sparkling production from The Center's Mind Enriching Theatre sure to delight, A Year With Frog and Toad is a delightful romp of a tale that explores the importance of friendship between two very similar, yet very different, people. 'People?' you ask. Yes, people; anthropomorphic though they may be, Frog and Toad are as multi-dimensional as any person could possibly be. Richly drawn, artfully crafted and winningly enacted by the five-person cast, A Year With Frog and Toad is sweetly charming, featuring a musical score that's sure to set your feet a-tapping.

BWW Interviews: Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast - The Nicest Kids in Town, Part V
BWW Interviews: Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast - The Nicest Kids in Town, Part V
October 31, 2011

Even before they hit the stage for Lipscomb University Theatre's production of Hairspray, it's pretty clear that cast members Renna Taylor, Nicolette Carney, Justin Boyd, Darius Cal and Carolanne Deaton truly are 'the nicest kids in town.' Bringing the hit musical to life for Nashville audiences, which will include a large contingent of alumni in town for homecoming (Hairspray runs November 3-6 in Collins Auditorium on the David Lipscomb University campus), the large ensemble of more than 40 actors are hard at work, sharpening their skills, running lines, rehearsing like it's nobody's business and immersing themselves in plenty of 1960s pop culture and nostalgia.

STAGE TUBE: HAIRSPRAY from Lipscomb University Theatre
STAGE TUBE: HAIRSPRAY from Lipscomb University Theatre
October 29, 2011

Bringing the hit musical to life for Nashville audiences, which will include a large contingent of alumni in town for homecoming (Hairspray runs November 3-6 in Collins Auditorium on the David Lipscomb University campus), the large ensemble of more than 40 actors are hard at work, sharpening their skills, running lines, rehearsing like it's nobody's business and immersing themselves in plenty of 1960s pop culture and nostalgia.

BWW Reviews: Nashville Ballet's Lush and Romantic CINDERELLA Opens Its 26th Season
BWW Reviews: Nashville Ballet's Lush and Romantic CINDERELLA Opens Its 26th Season
October 29, 2011

With new and expressive choreography by Paul Vasterling - set to Prokofiev's timelessly beautiful 1944 score - Nashville Ballet opens its 26th season with a sumptuous remounting of Cinderella which captures, once more, the sheer artistry of the company's dancers while giving audiences exactly what they want when they go to the ballet: flights of fancy wrapped up in a gorgeously adorned, artistically crafted package.

BWW Interviews: Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast: The Nicest Kids in Town, Part IV
BWW Interviews: Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast: The Nicest Kids in Town, Part IV
October 28, 2011

Even before they hit the stage for Lipscomb University Theatre's production of Hairspray, it's pretty clear that cast members Jamin Craig, Leslie Marberry, Ashley Cobb, Graf Thurman and Mike Knox truly are 'the nicest kids in town.' Bringing the hit musical to life for Nashville audiences, which will include a large contingent of alumni in town for homecoming (Hairspray runs November 3-6 in Collins Auditorium on the David Lipscomb University campus), the large ensemble of more than 40 actors are hard at work, sharpening their skills, running lines, rehearsing like it's nobody's business and immersing themselves in plenty of 1960s pop culture and nostalgia.

Barter Theatre Joins  Symphony Of The Mountains for CABARET Performances in Kingsport
Barter Theatre Joins Symphony Of The Mountains for CABARET Performances in Kingsport
October 28, 2011

Billed as 'a special event like no other that the region has hosted or produced,' the professional actors of Barter Theatre will be backed by a full symphony orchestra when the theatre joins forces with Symphony of the Mountains for two unprecedented performances of Cabaret.

BWW Interviews: Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast: The Nicest Kids in Town, Part III
BWW Interviews: Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast: The Nicest Kids in Town, Part III
October 27, 2011

Even before they hit the stage for Lipscomb University Theatre's production of Hairspray, it's pretty clear that cast members Nick Hogan, Tyler Ashley, Shelby Smith, Virginia Lodholtz and Day Day Wells truly are 'the nicest kids in town.' Bringing the hit musical to life for Nashville audiences, which will include a large contingent of alumni in town for homecoming (Hairspray runs November 3-6 in Collins Auditorium on the David Lipscomb University campus), the large ensemble of more than 40 actors are hard at work, sharpening their skills, running lines, rehearsing like it's nobody's business and immersing themselves in plenty of 1960s pop culture and nostalgia.

Harms and Kelso To Be Honored at NCT's 13th Annual Grand Day Event
Harms and Kelso To Be Honored at NCT's 13th Annual Grand Day Event
October 27, 2011

Harriet Harms and Karla Cooper Kelso, longtime performing arts sign language intepreters at Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT), will be honored as the theater holds its 13th Annual Grand Day on Saturday, November 12. On this unique day, guests can enjoy a performance of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! and a grand carnival.

BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Kicks Off Holiday Season at Cumberland County Playhouse
BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Kicks Off Holiday Season at Cumberland County Playhouse
October 27, 2011

Lindy Pendzick and husband Greg Pendzick take on the roles of Grace and her wisecracking spouse, with leading kids' roles played by Crossville's Mary Kemp, Ellie Burnett, Cory Clark, Phillip Hall, and Molly McKinney of Pikeville, plus Crossville's Katey Dailey, Chelsea Boelter, Aiden Morrison, Alli Crain, Perrianna Evans and Emery Smith, along with Andy Swafford of Bledsoe County, and Jacob Copeland of Jamestown.

BWW Reviews: Osborne & Eppler's Latest Version of SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL is a Down Home Hit
BWW Reviews: Osborne & Eppler's Latest Version of SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL is a Down Home Hit
October 27, 2011

First presented in 2010 by the Bethlehem Players (of Franklin's Bethlehem United Methodist Church), Southern Fried Funeral, now onstage through November 26 at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre (where Osborne and Eppler staged their First Night Award-winning Rear Widow last year), is aging gracefully, taking on the patina normally reserved for the sterling silver serving pieces in that breakfront in the dining room. Lustrous and heartfelt - yet uproariously funny in a way that only Southerners can be - the story told in Southern Fried Funeral is authentic and genuine, farfetched and unbelievable.

Trevecca Nazarene University Celebrates GODSPELL's 40th Anniversary With Upcoming Production
October 27, 2011

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Stephen Schwartz's groundbreaking musical, Nashville's Trevecca Nazarene University's theatre department will present seven performances of Godspell October 27-November 5 at the Boone Convocation Center on the TNU campus at 333 Murfreesboro Road.

New Surprises in Store for 2011 Edition of Vasterling's NASHVILLE NUTCRACKER
New Surprises in Store for 2011 Edition of Vasterling's NASHVILLE NUTCRACKER
October 25, 2011

Nashville's Nutcracker - one of the city's newest, yet most respected, holiday traditions - returns to Andrew Jackson Hall in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, running December 9-18, with additional performances and new surprises to accompany its beloved characters and story.

Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast: The Nicest Kids in Town, Part II
Hair-Hoppin' Questions for LU's HAIRSPRAY Cast: The Nicest Kids in Town, Part II
October 25, 2011

Even before they hit the stage for Lipscomb University Theatre's production of Hairspray, it's pretty clear that cast members Justin Tays, Luciano Vignola, Jared Martin and Sydni Hayes truly are 'the nicest kids in town.'



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