Jeffrey Ellis - Page 152

Roxy Regional Theatre celebrates the music of Johnny Cash, the legendary 'Man in Black,' with Ring of Fire, the musical review running February 12-27 at the theatre in downtown Clarksville.

While she obviously spends a lot of time working on the administrative requirements of running a theatre company in Nashville, she also finds time to display her many talents onstage. Most recently, she starred in the company's critically acclaimed (which means I really liked it) production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical. And somehow, in the aftermath of that show and amid all the hubbub of the holiday season, Cathy found time to sit down and respond to our questions. This week, then, she is in the spotlight for 'A Life in the Theatre.' Enjoy!

Ted Swindely, author and creator of Always...Patsy Cline, will direct the world premiere production of Parrish Stanton's musical, One Kiss Cafe, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Ford Theatre, March 11-28. Produced by Nashville-based Phoenix Rising Entertainment Inc., auditions for the new musical will be held this weekend, January 30 and 31.

The Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD), a large art gallery membership located in neighborhoods across Nashville, continues its citywide gallery alliance with Art After Hours on Thursday, February 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. This month's art event provides art lovers and patrons a wonderful opportunity to explore Nashville's active art scene.

Ludwig's play focuses on the lives of George and Charlotte Hay, itinerant actors performing Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in repertory during the heyday of the 1953 theatre season in Buffalo, New York. Charlotte dreams of becoming a Hollywood star, while George is happy on the stage, considering live theatre far superior to film. But when word comes that famous Hollywood director Frank Capra is coming to give George one last shot at film stardom, all manner of hilarity ensues as miscommunication runs rampant backstage - and onstage.

How important then is this play - now onstage at Nashville Children's Theatre in a stunning production helmed by NCT producing director Scot Copeland - designed for younger audiences? Frankly, its impact is immeasurable, but it most certainly presents the story of young diarist Anne Frank in such a way that younger audiences should never be able to forget the Holocaust, nor should they ever question the reality of those dark days in the human experience.

Signs of a New Day is not a perfect play, by many measures, but the fact that it focuses on Looby - whose name almost every Nashvillian most certainly knows, but someone about whom they know precious little - elevates it to near-perfection. Thanks to German's extensive research and dedication to detail, coupled with her dramatist's keen eye and ear for what works onstage, the play gives Looby and his wife, Grafta Mosby Looby, the attention they so richly deserve. It is a moving work that challenges its audiences to continue the noble work of the Loobys and all of their contemporaries who risked their lives and livelihoods so that we all might live in a more just and equitable society.

You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy The 101 Dalmatians Musical, but it doesn't hurt! Now onstage at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall, the national touring company of the musical by Dennis DeYoung and BT McNicholl delivers a production that is pleasantly diverting, tuneful and fun to watch. Add those adorable doggies to the mix and it just adds to the fun you have during the two hours you're caught up in Dodie Smith's story of animals and 'their pets,' starring the gloriously over-the-top Rachel York as Cruella DeVil.

That serendipitous encounter with Looby's photograph and the accompanying marker in the lobby of the community center/public library/theatre complex that bears his name, led German to further research which 'fired [her] up,' and has now, in turn, led to Signs of a New Day: The Z. Alexander Looby Story, her new play set for its world premiere Friday night in a production by Amun Ra Theatre, presented in the theatre that bears Looby's name, and continuing through February 6.

As co-founder of Actors Bridge Ensemble, Bill Feehely has been responsible for bringing to Nashville audiences some of their most provocative theatre experiences as well as ushering some of the city's most noteworthy world premieres to the stage. Earlier this season, he was the narrator for Actors Bridge's staged reading of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, and next month he'll star in the company's collaboration with Belmont University Theatre on a new production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons.

Although both Russell and Hicks are clearly at the top of their game with their exquisite performances, - honed from years of experience in the theatre and underscored by their shared joie de vivre and their obvious understanding of the text - the rest of the ensemble are an uneven lot of veterans and neophytes and those in between. While there are moments of bliss to be found in the production, glimmers of the promise that is surely to be found, there remains a lack of passion and what results is a didactic presentation that fails to inspire.

That serendipitous encounter with Looby's photograph and the accompanying marker in the lobby of the community center/public library/theatre complex that bears his name, led German to further research which 'fired [her] up,' and has now, in turn, led to Signs of a New Day: The Z. Alexander Looby Story, her new play set for its world premiere Friday night in a production by Amun Ra Theatre, presented in the theatre that bears Looby's name, and continuing through February 6.

Martha Wilkinson, one of Nashville's most popular actresses, will take on the role of Diane, which won Julie White the Tony Award for her performance on Broadway. Wilkinson is joined in the reading by her husband, David Compton, as well as Marin Miller and Patrick Waller. Lauren Shouse, Tennessee Rep's artistic associate, will direct.

Led by the superb Mike Baum and Lydia Bushfield, it's a fast-paced comic tour de force for Wyckoff's talented players who deliver the goods with charm and wit. First presented on Broadway in the 1990s - to much critical acclaim and audience ardor - the script for Rumors is given the requisite tweaking by Wyckoff and company to make it relevant to 2010, updating some of the cultural references to make it more timely. Thankfully, Simon's script remains as sparkling and funny as ever and its look at rumor-mongering and the accompanying hoopla is as relevant today as it ever was, perhaps even more so now thanks to 24/7 media coverage.

Martha Wilkinson, one of Nashville's most popular actresses, will take on the role of Diane, which won Julie White the Tony Award for her performance on Broadway. Wilkinson is joined in the reading by her husband, David Compton, as well as Marin Miller and Patrick Waller. Lauren Shouse, Tennessee Rep's artistic associate, will direct.

It seems as if Maryanna Clarke is always in motion: As the founding artistic director of the Nashville-based Tennessee Women's Theatre Project, she always has multiple irons in the fire. As the mom of college student Kate (upon whom she dotes -- and of whom she is justifiably proud), she has all the responsibilites of motherhood on her shoulders. And as the wife of Chris Clarke (her theatrical partner-in-crime aka producer), she's got the wife role down pat!

Bobby Wyckoff directs the 2010 season opener at Chaffin's Barn - Neil Simon's Rumors - set for a January 7-February 6 run at Nashville's venerable dinner theatre. Produced by Janie and John Chaffin, Rumors features Mike Baum, Trin Blakely, Lydia Bushfield, Ben Dawson, Kelly Lapczynski, Christina Spitters, Judy Tamble, Derek Whittaker and Charlie Winton in Simon's hilarious farce.

Rehearsals are under way for the Nashville Children's Theatre production of The Diary of Anne Frank, the award-winning drama by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, opening January 19. Tia Shearer stars in the title role, with other characters played by Evelyn Blythe, Rona Carter, Jamie Farmer-Oneida, Henry Haggard, Peter Vann, Samuel Whited, Holly Wooten and Bobby Wyckoff.

Martha Wilkinson and Patrick Waller, lauded by both the Nashville Scene and Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com as the best actress and actor in Nashville, will team up to star in a production of the Andrew Lippa musical john & jen, playing the Backstage at the Barn venue for a limited run February 4-20. Tim Fudge will music direct the production. Waller and Wilkinson have shared the stage together on several occasions, most recently in Tennessee Rep's award-winnng production of Sweeney Todd, in which they played Toby and Mrs. Lovett respectively. They've also appeared onstage together in Johnny Guitar at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and in The Underpants at Tennessee Rep.

Phil Perry is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet - and one of the hardest working actors on the Nashville stage. He's one of those people who moves from show to another with ease, delighting his audiences with his performances and impressing directors and producers with his exemplary work ethic. But here's something I didn't know until now: Phil's not a native Nashvillian! He's from Ohio and he came here to go to school at Lipscomb University.