It's been a busy spring in Tennessee and as we head into summer, you can rest assured that things are only going to get busier - and more interesting. Our advice? Hydrate yourself (drink plenty of water before heading out), dress comfortably (but tasteful) and head out for a night at the theater. You'll be inspired, entertained and possibly even transported to some far-away world of wonder and imagination.
We assume you are aware that the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday and that the Iroquois Steeplechase runs the following weekend in Nashville, so we have you covered with suggestions for non-equestrian events. Now, get out there and have some fun, y'all! And while you're at it, you'll be doing some good for the community by supporting the arts - and artists - in the Volunteer State!
Looking for something fun to do in Nashville - say, in the next few days or so? That doesn't involve running in the Country Music Marathon? Have no fear, gentle BWW Nashville readers, our team of writers have done the necessary legwork - we're all about saving you time, keeping you out of the marathon traffic and helping you make informed decisions about how to spend your entertainment dollar, after all - and we are delighted to present you with our very first, official Critic's Choice column, filled to the veritable brim with suggestions for great stuff going on around our fair state.
Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to BroadwayWorld Nashville's latest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find onstage throughout the Volunteer state. This week the spotlight shines on Danny Boman, Jake Delaney and Katherine Walker Hill- the stars of Singin' in the Rain, opening tonight at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse, directed by Britt Hancock.
Cumberland County Playhouse announces the return of one of its most popular musicals, Singin' in the Rain.
Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash returns to the Adventure Theater from tonight, March 27 through June 9, 2015. 'The show was a huge hit for us in 2013,' said director Bryce McDonald, 'and since it closed we've had many people ask us to bring it back.' Producing Director Jim Crabtree concurred, adding, 'It's a wonderful production, full of heart, joy and great music. And we're fortunate to again have Kellye Cash in the show. As Johnny's niece, her perspective and her recollections of him make our production truly special.'
Cumberland County Playhouse announces the return of one of its most popular musicals, Singin' in the Rain.
Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash returns to the Adventure Theater from March 27 through June 9, 2015. "The show was a huge hit for us in 2013," said director Bryce McDonald, "and since it closed we've had many people ask us to bring it back." Producing Director Jim Crabtree concurred, adding, "It's a wonderful production, full of heart, joy and great music. And we're fortunate to again have Kellye Cash in the show. As Johnny's niece, her perspective and her recollections of him make our production truly special."
In July, Cumberland County Playhouse and the Scopes Trial Festival in Dayton co-produced Front Page News, a new, historically accurate 'play with music' about the famous Scopes 'Monkey Trial.' Following that success, director Jim Crabtree turns to the fictional drama inspired by those events, Inherit The Wind. The play is based on elements of the Scopes trial, but also inspired by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s. Crabtree's hymn-filled production strives to promote respect for all views. 'Working on Front Page News was a revelation,' says Crabtree. 'The more I learned the actual surrounding the Scopes Trial, the more respect I gained for the real people of Dayton. This knowledge informs our Inherit The Wind.'
Beginning September 12, Cumberland County Playhouse promises audiences a devilishly good time as they present Damn Yankees, the Tony Award-winning musical that's all about America's favorite pastime, baseball! Middle-aged Joe Boyd (Jim Crabtree) will do anything to see his beloved Washington Senators win the pennant-even sell his soul to the Devil. So when charming Mr. Applegate (Jason Ross) offers him the chance to dethrone the Yankees and lead his team to the pennant, Joe can't resist the temptation. But when transformed into the baseball sensation of the year, young Joe Hardy (Blake Graham) must decide if the life he gave up is more important than youth and fame. Only with the help of the Devil's sultry seductress Lola (Leila Nelson) does Hardy have a chance at redemption.
Beginning July 18, everything's coming up roses as the Playhouse brings one of the greatest American musicals of all time to life…Gypsy! From the unforgettable first notes of its legendary overture to the final white hot spotlight, Gypsy is considered by many to be 'the best musical ever,' as it tells the story of the archetypal stage mother, Rose and her daughters June and Louise. Set during the 1920s fading vaudeville circuit, Gypsy portrays the rise of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and casts an affectionate eye on show business as she journeys across the country with her mother and sister during a time when Vaudeville was dying… and burlesque was born. Bold, brassy, yet remarkably charming, Rose puts today's Dance Moms to shame as she steamrolls everyone in her way to turn her daughters into child stars. When the younger, more talented daughter defects, Rose sinks all her hopes (and claws) into the elder.
Beginning July 18, everything's coming up roses as the Playhouse brings one of the greatest American musicals of all time to life…Gypsy! From the unforgettable first notes of its legendary overture to the final white hot spotlight, Gypsy is considered by many to be 'the best musical ever,' as it tells the story of the archetypal stage mother, Rose and her daughters June and Louise. Set during the 1920s fading vaudeville circuit, Gypsy portrays the rise of famed burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and casts an affectionate eye on show business as she journeys across the country with her mother and sister during a time when Vaudeville was dying… and burlesque was born. Bold, brassy, yet remarkably charming, Rose puts today's Dance Moms to shame as she steamrolls everyone in her way to turn her daughters into child stars. When the younger, more talented daughter defects, Rose sinks all her hopes (and claws) into the elder.
Starting June 13, Cumberland County Playhouse will present what just might be its most spectacular production yet, Shrek The Musical! Featuring 19 all-new songs, big laughs and amazing special effects, Shrek The Musical is part romance, part fairy tale and all fun! Based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film, Shrek brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to life on stage as our unlikely hero Shrek and his loyal friend Donkey set off on a quest to rescue the fiery Princess Fiona. Add a villain with a SHORT temper, a cookie with attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits in an irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance and you've got a must-see musical comedy for all ages!
Cumberland County Playhouse starts May off with a bang as they present Irving Berlin's beloved musical Annie Get Your Gun, starring Tennessee's Miss America Kellye Cash as sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Set to one of Berlin's most famous scores, the show contains such classics as 'There's No Business Like Show Business', 'Doin' What Comes Naturally', 'You Can't Get a Man With a Gun', 'They Say It's Wonderful', 'My Defenses Are Down' and 'Anything You Can Do'.
Cumberland County Playhouse starts May off with a bang as they present Irving Berlin's beloved musical Annie Get Your Gun, starring Tennessee's Miss America Kellye Cash as sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Set to one of Berlin's most famous scores, the show contains such classics as "There's No Business Like Show Business", "Doin' What Comes Naturally", "You Can't Get a Man With a Gun", "They Say It's Wonderful", "My Defenses Are Down" and "Anything You Can Do".
It's the most requested title - and the most popular production - in Playhouse history, and February 28 through May 22, Cumberland County Playhouse brings The Foreigner back to the Mainstage! Since its 1983 premiere, The Foreigner has earned two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production. In Larry Shue's hilarious farce, painfully shy Charlie Baker (Jason Ross) visits a fishing lodge in Georgia with his friend Froggy LeSeuer (Michael Ruff), a British demolitions expert who runs training sessions at a nearby army base. Terrified of actually having to converse with strangers once Froggy departs, Charlie adopts the persona of a foreigner who doesn't understand English. When the other residents of the lodge begin to speak freely around him, he not only becomes privy to secrets both frivolous and dangerous, he also discovers an adventurous extrovert within himself.
Voting is now underway for Nashville! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for Nashville! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for Nashville! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for Nashville! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Videos
