Brian Russell News

Despite their best efforts, director Lauren Shouse and her amazingly talented cast just can't give Tracy Lett's Superior Donuts the emotional heft-the literary gravitas-that the playwright so mightily struggles for in his sitcomesque script which pales in comparison to his supposed masterpiece, August: Osage County. Clearly, it's the success of that earlier, heavily-decorated and awarded, Pulitzer Prize-winning play that most theatre companies are invoking as they attempt to sell tickets to this decidedly lesser work, hoping to capitalize on its success in hoodwinking an unsuspecting audience.

In recognition of The Barn's 45 years of bringing the magic of live theater to the stage, we continue our special series of Onstage at The Barn: Memories from The First 45 Years, with actress Joy Tilley Perryman, who this past holiday season starred in It's A Country Christmas, Carol. Today, Joy shares her memories of her Barn experiences to the ones that we've been sharing for two weeks to celebrate the 45th anniversary…

In recognition of The Barn's 45 years of bringing the magic of live theater to the stage, we continue our special series of Onstage at The Barn: Memories from The First 45 Years, with actror Daron Bruce, who is one of the most accomplished thespians to be found in Nashville, taking on a wide range of roles that have showcased his talents to perfection, while helping to prepare actors of future generations as head of the theater department at Nashville's historic Hume-Fogg Academic High School, considered one of the top providers of secondary education in the nation. Today, Daron adds his memories of his Barn experiences to the ones that we've been sharing for two weeks to celebrate the 45th anniversary…

The musical play telling the story of legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk, the production previewed February 23, opened February 26 and runs through April 1.

Gradually emerging as a work for the theater from casual beginnings in Houston in 1988, expanded for productions in Atlanta and Nashville (starring Mandy Barnett) in the mid-1990s, then to off-Broadway, to Chicago and beyond, "Always…Patsy Cline" was created to frame the immortal songs and voice of Patsy Cline in a theatrical context.

The hugely popular musical play telling the story of legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk, the production previews February 23, opens February 26 and runs through April 1.

ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season.

The musical play telling the story of legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk, the production previews February 23, opens February 26 and runs through April 1. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE will be directed by Brian Russell. Russell, making his Theatre at the Center debut, is the former Artistic Director of American Theater Company and Director of the 1996 Chicago Premiere of ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE which transferred from Northlight Theatre in Evanston to a lengthy commercial run at Chicago's Apollo Theater. Also making her Theatre at the Center debut, newcomer Heather Beck will star as 'Patsy Cline'. Check out the production photos below!

The hugely popular musical play about legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on 'a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk,' the production previews February 23, opens February 26 and runs through April 1.

The hugely popular musical play about legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk, the production previews February 23, opens February 26 and runs through April 1.

The hugely popular musical play about legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on 'a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk,' the production previews February 23, opens February 26 and runs through April 1.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Doyle and Debbie and Patsy Cline, an opera company 'Oklahoma!,' 'The Hunchback Variations Opera,' 'A Catered Affair,' 'Beyond The Fringe,' a Candlelight reunion and more....

ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season.

The hugely popular musical play about legendary country singer Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE kicks off Theatre at the Center's 2012 season. Based on a true story of this unparalleled pioneer for female performers and a fan from Houston she befriended in a Texas honky-tonk, the production previews February 23, opens February 26 and runs through April 1.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The return of 'Mary Poppins' and 'Jersey Boys,' the premiere of 'For The Boys,' Mandy Patinkin, Nathan Gunn, Laura Benanti, 'Oprah! A Comedy!,' more....

Coming off of a streak of some of the most successful seasons to date, Theatre at the Center Artistic Director William Pullinsi, along with General Manager Richard Friedman, have announced a 2012 season filled with love, music, twists and turns.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, presents a benefit performance of 'American Blues - Collected One-Acts' by Tennessee Williams on the Victory Gardens Biograph mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Tuesday, March 8, 2011, from 6:00 - 10 p.m. Guest artist E. Fay Butler will perform during the pre-benefit VIP reception from 5 - 6 p.m. The evening will be emceed by ABT Board Secretary Joan Esposito, co-founder of J2SC. For more information call (312) 725 - 4228, email info@americanbluestheater.com or visit www.americanbluestheater.com.

William Shakespeare must defend his works' relevancy for the 21st Century in Shakespeare's Case, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's 2011 winter production. This original play closes Jan. 30 at Belmont University's Troutt Theater.

Should Dick Wolf need any new fresh ideas for his aging Law and Order TV franchise (and recent events would indicate that he might), we would suggest he ring up Nan Gurley, Denice Hicks and Claire Syler - the scribes of Nashville Shakespeare Festival's current hit Shakespeare's Case - for an infusion of new blood and an influx of new plotlines. Of course, those plotlines might not be new, since they'd probably hew pretty closely to the Bard's classics for which the estimable Nashville troupe is best known, but you can rest assured the trio would have a novel take on stories that audiences would enthusiastically embrace.

William Shakespeare must defend his works' relevancy for the 21st Century in Shakespeare's Case, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's 2011 winter production. This original play runs Jan. 13-30 at Belmont University's Troutt Theater.