Jason Lewis News

'Over-the-top' and 'larger-than-life' are but two of the descriptive phrases that may be used in reference to both director Jason Lewis and his latest theatrical project Reefer Madness the Musical - and, in both instances, they are equally justified. In all honesty, who else better than he to helm a production of the thoroughly madcap and deliciously campy musical now onstage at Darkhorse Theater through this weekend as the final show of ACT 1's 2016-17 season?

GOOD MORNING, THEATERATI: Welcome to Friday, June 2, 2017! The weekend is upon us (thank you, very much) and we cannot conceive of a better way to live life dramatically than by catching a first night performance of a show? It's opening night for several new shows and we send out warm wishes of "break a leg"...

Jason Lewis directs the regional premiere of Reefer Madness the Musical to close out ACT 1's 2016-17 season, opening June 9. A musical satire based on the 1936 cult film classic, Reefer Madness the Musical opened in Los Angeles in 1998. The book and lyrics were written by Kevin Murphy with music by Dan Studney.

Building on the momentum of another highly successful season in which NBC once again ranks #1 in adults 18-49, the network has announced the rollout of an ambitious summer schedule that includes the premiere of new dance competition series “World of Dance” with judges Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough, NE-YO and host/mentor Jenna Dewan Tatum; the return of the #1 show of summer, “America's Got Talent,” with new host Tyra Banks; and the network's obstacle course sensation, “American Ninja Warrior.”

As well-traveled and widely recorded as alto saxophonist Mark Lewis has been over the past four decades, his new CD 'The New York Session' is likely to be the album that helps rectify his current under-the-radar reputation

As well-traveled and widely recorded as alto saxophonist Mark Lewis has been over the past four decades, his new CD 'The New York Session' is likely to be the album that helps rectify his current under-the-radar reputation

Desert Theatreworks' (DTW's) A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, adapted by Leslie Darbon from the Agatha Christie novel, isn't exactly Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde, but the production's excellence provides a rollicking good time, and more than makes up for any weaknesses in the script.

The new hour-long show, The Beatles Present "The Lord of the Rings: The Musical" will be performing from Thursday, October 6, 2016 to Saturday, October 10, 2016 at THE BRICK (579 Metropolitan Avenue) in Brooklyn for four shows only!

Summertime is here, what with Memorial Day and all that it encompasses, and we can think of no better seasonal activity than taking in some local theater. No matter where you are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee theater companies are ready and willing to help transport you to a different world, another time and place where your life can be is transformed magically on a stage very near you!

Theaters and production companies throughout Middle Tennessee are looking for directors, crew members and cast members for several upcoming productions, including Peter and the Starcatcher at Dickson's Renaissance Players, directed by Bradley Moore, and Circle Players' Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Jason Lewis.

Summertime is here, what with Memorial Day and all that it encompasses, and we can think of no better seasonal activity than taking in some local theater. No matter where you are in the Volunteer State, Tennessee theater companies are ready and willing to help transport you to a different world, another time and place where your life can be is transformed magically on a stage very near you!

Theaters and production companies throughout Middle Tennessee are looking for directors, crew members and cast members for several upcoming productions, including Young Frankenstein at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts and Peter and the Starcatcher at Dickson's Renaissance Players.

Theaters and production companies throughout Middle Tennessee are looking for directors, crew members and cast members for several upcoming productions, including Young Frankenstein at Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts and Peter and the Starcatcher at Dickson's Renaissance Players.

Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.

Ahead of the full 2016 season announcement from Paines Plough, With A Little Bit Of Luck by Sabrina Mahfouz will begin a UK tour on 13 April at The Garage in Norwich. Part play and part gig With A Little Bit Of Luck is produced by Paines Plough and Latitude Festival and will tour to 29 venues across the UK. The tour will finish at London's iconic Roundhouse from 14 - 18 June as part of The Last Word Festival.

Neil Simon's autobiographical play, LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR, as presented by Desert Theatreworks (DTW), provides a side-splitting few hours of theatre. The play is based on the mayhem in the writers' room of Sid Caesar's YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS. Director Lance Phillips-Martinez does a fine job of directing an excellent cast.

The weekend is upon us and that means that tonight is opening night for a couple of new shows (with performances continuing through the weekend) and closing performances of several others, including Newsies (at TPAC), Circle Players' The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the farewell production of GroundWorks Theatre's Starlite Waltz. Meanwhile, John Chaffin's Cliffhanger continues at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and Cumberland County Playhouse continues its 50th anniversary season with a whole slate of terrific shows.

It's the official kick-off to summer, what with the Memorial Day Weekend upon us already - seriously, where did the time go? - and while we're certain your calendar is filled with cookouts, fireworks (we don't save all the sparklers for July 4th do we?) and swimming (if it warms up enough here in frosty Tennessee, where it's in the 50s as I type). But being the theatrical fanatic that we (using either the editorial "we" or the royal "we"…just take your pick) are, we would like to humbly suggest you make your way to the theater in the next few days to get some artistic inspiration.

Today, our focus is on one of our favorites: Jason Lewis, who's been in New York City for the past several years but has been able to maintain his connection to Music City through a variety of successful projects, some of which have brought him back to Nashville for another stint.