Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva News

Tennessee Repertory Theatre presents the America cult classic musical Little Shop of Horrors, music and lyrics by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman. Little Shop of Horrors runs tonight, April 28 - May 19 at TPAC's Johnson Theater.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present the America cult classic musical Little Shop of Horrors, music and lyrics by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman. Little Shop of Horrors runs April 28 - May 19 at TPAC's Johnson Theater (with preview performances April 26 - 27).

When Patty Duke played the role of Helen Keller in the Broadway premiere of William Gibson's The Miracle Worker, she was ten years old, and when Madeleine Hall took the stage of the Franklin Theatre on Thursday night in the opening of Studio Tenn's exquisitely crafted revival of the modern American theater classic, she too was ten years old. And it should be noted that as portentous as Duke's debut came to be known, theater lovers still to come may very well consider Madeleine Hall's beautifully crafted performance just as revelatory and just as noteworthy.

Dan McGeachy directs Nashville actress Pat Rulon as Maria Calls in Terrence McNally's Master Class, running February 10 and 11 at Nashville Opera's Noah Liff Opera Center, continuing a run that opened at Darkhorse Theatre in mid-January.

Emily Landham and ten-year-old Madeleine Hall star as Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller in Studio Tenn's upcoming production of William Gibson's The Miracle Worker. Studio Tenn, resident professional theatre company of the Franklin Theatre today announced complete casting for the production that debuts February 23 and runs through March 4.

Imperious and commanding, confident and resolute, Maria Callas is the quintessential opera diva-Leonard Bernstein referred to her as "The Bible of opera"-and with her oversized personality and regal bearing, she remains a force to be reckoned with almost 35 years after her death. ACT 1 continues its remarkable 2011-12 season with Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning Master Class, a revealing and intimate portrait of la Divina in the latter years of her storied life and career.

Pat Rulon is cast in the enviable role of Maria Callas in the production, arguably her biggest challenge in a stage career that has included any number of enviable roles. This time, playing opposite her daughter Emily Apuzzo, may be more special in some ways, in others it's just another day (or night) at the office for the versatile actress who's played roles both classical and contemporary, both dramatic and comedic. One of the region's most versatile theater types, she's certain to attack the challenge of playing the operatic diva with relish and her trademark sincerity and sparkling wit.

Next up is L.T.Kirk, who plays Tony Candolino-the part's a natural fit for Kirk, after all he's an accomplished singer-and has been seen on Nashville stages in a variety of roles, including his starring role in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray, playing the role of Edna Turnblad (opposite director Dan McGeachy as Wilbur), and STC's Chess in Concert and Ragtime in Concert, as well as ACT 1's acclaimed staging of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. His years of experience as an accomplished singer make his perspective on Callas, Master Class and the fictional characters all the more compelling…

Next up is Emily Apuzzo, Rulon's oldest daughter (the younger, Sofia Apuzzo, is an acclaimed dancer), who has the unique experience of playing opposite her mom in bringing McNally's play to the stage. A noted opera singer in the Nashville area, she's been featured as a soloist in many concerts and recitals in addition to her work with the Nashville Opera chorus. She's also been a fixture on a variety of local stages throughout her life: Clearly, the Rulon-Apuzzos are a theatrical family and Pat, Emily and Sofia have appeared in numerous stage productions over the years.

First up is Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, one of the Nashville's most sought-after actresses, who in 2011 made headlines with her performances as MotorMouth Maybelle in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray and in the all-star cast of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's latest iteration of Annie, which ran last summer. She capped that off with a knock-your-socks-off performance at The First Night Honors, delivering a soul-stirring rendition of "Random Black Girl" that still has people talking.

Playing opposite Rulon as Sophie, the first soprano, is her daughter Emily Appuzzo, a well-known actress and singer in her own right, who is a member of the Nashville Opera Chorus. Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva plays Sharon, the second soprano, and L.T. Kirk is cast as Anthony Candolino. John Todd doubles as musical director for Master Class and plays Manny, the accompanist. Patrick Goedicke completes the cast as a stage hand.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre recently announced plans for REPaloud, the popular play reading series which highlights contemporary plays.

When the last performers had sung the final song and the late honoree had been feted, the crowds at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre for the presentation of First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors' 2011 Gala Concert, headed downtown to Cummins Station for the After-Party at The Listening Room Cafe.

With almost 150 performers taking to the stage of Belmont University's Troutt Theatre on Sunday night, September 4, members of the theater community throughout Tennessee joined together to fete the six members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees.

Annie, the irrepressible orphan of newspaper comics-fame who has been delighting audiences onstage since the 1970s, makes her return to Nashville's Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre this summer, running July 28-September 3, in a new production of Annie directed by Martha Wilkinson, with music direction by Jaclyn Brown and choreography by Bakari King.

Annie, that spunky, optimistic and determined orphan who first appeared in the 'funny papers' of the nation's newspapers in 1924 - only to become one of the most beloved musical theater heroines ever to express her hope for 'Tomorrow' in song on Broadway - returns to that magical levitating stage of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in a colorful and sprightly new revival helmed by the multi-talented Martha Wilkinson.

Annie, the irrepressible orphan of newspaper comics-fame who has been delighting audiences onstage since the 1970s, makes her return to Nashville's Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre this summer, running July 28-September 3, in a new production of Annie directed by Martha Wilkinson, with music direction by Jaclyn Brown and choreography by Bakari King.

There is so much energy, enthusiasm and heart found in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray that it's certain to keep your spirits buoyed for a long time after leaving the theater. Brought to the stage by a competent creative team and a huge cast of committed performers, the Scott Wittman-Marc Shaiman musical - featuring a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan based on John Waters' wholly original film - Hairspray is great big fun, featuring some lovable characters and one of the most infectious musical theatre scores around.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre has announced plans for REPaloud, the popular play reading series which highlights contemporary plays.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre has announced plans for REPaloud, the popular play reading series which highlights contemporary plays.