John Mauldin News

Can you believe that it's already time to celebrate Independence Day - aka The Fourth of July - with the biggest-in-the-country fireworks display right here in Music City USA? We know how to celebrate America's Independence right here in Nashville and we expect even more tourists (playwright/actor/director/producer/bon vivant Del Shores is in town, for example, to get a taste of a down-home good time) than normal to fill our city's streets over the four-day holiday weekend.

Looking for a way to beat the heat this weekend? What's better than sinking into a seat in a darkened auditorium and letting the talented actors onstage whisk you way to a whole different world from the world iin which you toil Monday through Friday? Theater companies throughout the midstate are ready to dazzle you with their latest productions and here are some of this weekend's best bets...

Looking for an early summer diversion? We're happy to suggest some theatrical offerings to occupy your time, to keep you out of the heat and humidity - which seems to have really descended upon us this past week - and place you smack in the middle of a darkened auditorium that's certain to cool you down while entertaining you in high style…

For 49 years, Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre has provided a theatrical home for actors, directors, designers, stage managers and sundry other artists and techies who are striving to make a living in Nashville. In that time, the Chaffins have served up tons of roast beef and enough marinated mushrooms to fill countless swimming pools - but, more importantly, they've served up so many laughs and memorable onstage moments to keep us all in fine fettle for years to come.

Why do you do theater? We've been putting that question to members of the Nashville theater famiy for the past month to find out what it is that motivates creative types to pursue an illusory and challenging career, while for others the theater gives them a creative avocation that helps keep them sane. Today, in our latest installment of Nashville Theater 101, we introduce three more members of our wildly divergent, almost prototypically dysfunctional theater family: John Silvestro, Carolyn German and John Mauldin-or as we like to call them, "Two Johns and a German."

Playhouse Nashville has quickly established itself in the local theatre landscape on the strength of productions described by reviewers as "wickedly funny" (SEXTAPE & OTHER STORIES), "stunning" (DEVIL SEDAN), and "devastatingly honest" (ULTRASOUND). That well-earned reputation for eliciting memorable performances from talented actors working on original material continues with the newly announced ensemble for SCARECROWS WILL NEVER SEE THE SUNSET.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present its fifth annual professional intern showcase, a production fully staged by the five professionalinterns on staff. This year's show, The Unseen by Craig Wright will take place on April 27 - 28 at 7:00 pm at Tennessee Rep's Rehearsal Hall (NPT Studio A, 161 Rains Avenue).

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by Lillian Hellman addresses the insidious power of a lie in a riveting drama opening at Street Theatre Company today, September 6th. When a student at an all-girl's boarding school perceives she is being treated unfairly by the women who run the school, she fabricates a malicious lie about them that pushes relationships to the brink, tests assumptions, and challenges preconceived notions of the truth.

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by Lillian Hellman addresses the insidious power of a lie in a riveting drama opening at Street Theatre Company on September 6th. When a student at an all-girl's boarding school perceives she is being treated unfairly by the women who run the school, she fabricates a malicious lie about them that pushes relationships to the brink, tests assumptions, and challenges preconceived notions of the truth.

The Boiler Room Theatre, Williamson County's original and longest-running professional theatre company, will stage Dumb and Dumber star Jeff Daniels' hilarious comedy, Escanaba in da Moonlight. The production will run from tonight, May 31st through June 15th at the theatre's iconic namesake venue in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Boiler Room Theatre, Williamson County's original and longest-running professional theatre company, will stage Dumb and Dumber star Jeff Daniels' hilarious comedy, Escanaba in da Moonlight. The production will run from May 31st through June 15th at the theatre's iconic namesake venue in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tennessee.

The world premiere of a brand-spanking new musical with Broadway in its sights, a relatively young but awe-inspiring theater company and a sparkling, witty new play about Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald led the list of Tennessee's outstanding theatrical achievements in 2012 that was revealed Sunday night at Midwinter's First Night.

Company of Fools and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts present Happily Ever After?, a concert exploring fairy tales in the American musical theatre. For two nights only, tonight, November 9 and tomorrow the 10th at 7PM, the Liberty Theatre will come alive with music from some of Broadway's favorite fairy-tale based musicals including Into the Woods, Cinderella, Once Upon a Mattress and The Little Mermaid. This enchanted evening, directed by R.L. Rowsey and John Glenn, features several of Broadway's most dynamic artists.

On November 9 and 10, Company of Fools and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts present Happily Ever After?- an enchanting concert at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey that explores fairy tales in the American musical theatre. Happily Ever After? will feature music from some of Broadway's favorite fairy-tale musicals including Into the Woods, Cinderella, Once Upon a Mattress and The little Mermaid. R.L. Rowsey and John Glenn direct an ensemble cast of extraordinary talent-from Broadway and the Wood River Valley-to create the happiest of evenings. This program has been fully sponsored by Jeri Wolfson and all tickets revenue will support the evolving partnership between the Company of Fools and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

On November 9 and 10, Company of Fools and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts present Happily Ever After?- an enchanting concert at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey that explores fairy tales in the American musical theatre. Happily Ever After? will feature music from some of Broadway's favorite fairy-tale musicals including Into the Woods, Cinderella, Once Upon a Mattress and The little Mermaid. R.L. Rowsey and John Glenn direct an ensemble cast of extraordinary talent-from Broadway and the Wood River Valley-to create the happiest of evenings. This program has been fully sponsored by Jeri Wolfson and all tickets revenue will support the evolving partnership between the Company of Fools and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

Company of Fools and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts present Happily Ever After?, a concert exploring fairy tales in the American musical theatre. For two nights only, November 9 and 10th at 7PM, the Liberty Theatre will come alive with music from some of Broadway's favorite fairy-tale based musicals including Into the Woods, Cinderella, Once Upon a Mattress and The Little Mermaid. This enchanted evening, directed by R.L. Rowsey and John Glenn, features several of Broadway's most dynamic artists.

Despite the taut direction of Ryan Williams, particularly sinister underscoring by Rollie Mains and a compelling, bravura performance by Luke Hatmaker as the ringleader of a group of prison escapees, Street Theatre Company's The Desperate Hours is a rare misfire from the company and the creative team charged with bringing it to the stage.

Adapted from the best-selling novel, a smash hit on Broadway with Paul Newman, and winner of a Tony Award, The Desperate Hours is a story of a home invaded by three escaped criminals that is based on actual events.