Klea Blackhurst News

Tonight, in TPAC's James K. Polk Theatre, Michael Andrew, Marissa McGowan, Mark Jacoby, Klea Blackhurst, Jamie Ross and the rest of the ensemble will take to the stage to bring The Nutty Professor to life once more for a Nashville audience. Today, however, the company has been quietly reflective, taking to social media to express their shock and grief at the loss of their show's composer…

Fairly exploding onto the stage, The Nutty Professor-the new musical based on the classic 1963 film comedy-opened at Nashville's James K. Polk Theatre last night in a vibrantly told and visually stunning production helmed by Jerry Lewis, the man who co-wrote the movie and, at this moment, is probably booking a ticket to Broadway . The story of nerdy Professor Julius Kelp and his transformation into the suave and sophisticated (if boorish) Buddy Love offers plenty of laughs to be certain, but perhaps surprisingly, there's a whole lot of heart to be found in Rupert Holmes' book, set tunefully to a classic Marvin Hamlisch score.

Tonight's the night: The brain trust behind The Nutty Professor, The New Musical will officially roll out the red carpet for the new musical's opening night at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre. Directed by "the king of comedy" himself, Jerry Lewis, upon whose classic 1963 film comedy the brand new musical is based upon, The Nutty Professor company has already delivered a week of preview performances, garnering rave reviews from audience members. Nashville photographer Rick Malkin has captured some of the show's best moments in a collection of photographs we're happy to share with you today, only hours before the opening night curtain.

Tonight's the night: The brain trust behind The Nutty Professor, The New Musical will officially roll out the red carpet for the new musical's opening night at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre. Directed by "the king of comedy" himself, Jerry Lewis, upon whose classic 1963 film comedy the brand new musical is based upon, The Nutty Professor company has already delivered a week of preview performances, garnering rave reviews from audience members.

Nashville and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) host the world premiere of "The Nutty Professor" Musical this month. Directed by Jerry Lewis, the show is a new musical comedy based on the 1963 film of the same name. The Broadway at TPAC Special Event began previews on July 24, and officially opens tonight, July 31- running through August 19 in TPAC's James K. Polk Theater. Featuring music by Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line) and a book and lyrics by three-time Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), "The Nutty Professor" is a musical treat for the whole family, based on the classic 1963 film in which Lewis starred and co-wrote.

We've been doing our part to prepare ye the way, watching the action onstage, taking some furtive peeks backstage, listening to all the offstage gossip and venturing beyond the confines of the theater to gain the informed knowledge to see more shows in the Volunteer State than you ever thought possible. So, good people of the theaterati, read on and get all the information you need to know in this, our latest installment of Music City Confidential. This is #6…

In an ensemble filled with triple threats, Atlanta native Autumn Guzzardi is sure to claim her moment in the spotlight, plus she's a brand-new Nashvillian, moving here recently to make our fair city her homebase. We're thrilled she's here (for now!) and we want you to get to know her so that when she's online, waiting for a table at a local restaurant or trying to figure out where the hell Old Hickory Boulevard really is taking her, you'll know who you're talking to…

Nashville and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) host the world premiere of "The Nutty Professor" Musical, opening tonight, July 24 and running through August 19. Directed by Jerry Lewis, the show is a new musical comedy based on the 1963 film of the same name. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the rehearsals below.

Nashville and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will host the world premiere of "The Nutty Professor" Musical this Summer. Directed by Jerry Lewis, the show is a new musical comedy based on the 1963 film of the same name.

There's just something about Klea Blackhurst: The very first moment you meet her you know you're gonna like her and that, given the chance to perform for you, she's sure to wow you, to put you in your place, to make you fall in love with her. Consider yourself forewarned.

Welcome to the fifth installment of Music City Confidential, my column to collect the flotsam and jetsam, informationally speaking, of theatre in Tennessee. Sorry for the long delay since the last installment, but I've been theatering my butt off all over the Volunteer State in search of intriguing gossip and riveting news stories just for you, my gentle readers.

The Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadway favorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan, and previously announced Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively. In the video below, Andrew chats about playing the iconic character!

Today's spotlight falls on one very special member of the cast, who just happens to be in every sense of the phrase "Nashville's own…" Meghan Glogower. Graduating from Belmont University's amazing musical theater program in early May, she auditioned for her first Broadway-bound show (aka The Nutty Professor Musical) and was cast! After whirlwind weeks of rehearsal in New York City, she's back in her adopted hometown-Megan's a native of Winter Haven, Florida, which means an invasion of Floridians is expected in the coming weeks, as well-dancing her butt off ahead of the show's opening.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that the Broadway-bound THE NUTTY PROFESSOR musical, premiering this summer at TPAC in Nashville, will feature the talents of Broadwayfavorites Mark Jacoby, Marissa McGowan, and previously announced Michael Andrew. They will star as Dean Warfield, Stella, and Julius Kelp respectively.

It's supposed to be 108 degrees in the Nashville area by week's end, which means stepping outside will likely leave you melted, quite literally and figuratively. But if you do have to venture out of doors, perhaps a trip to the theater is a good idea…it'll be dark and cool (with any luck, the AC will be working-and you know which theaters we're talking about) and you'll be entertained, perhaps even transported to another world. Or not. In the meantime, we present you with installment number four of Music City Confidential-our continuing effort to create a sense of community and build up some enthusiasm and excitement for the live theater industry here in our alarmingly sweaty region. So, press on, gentle readers and catch up on the latest adventures of the theaterati…

On Monday, June 4, singer William Blake brought down the house in his third R&B-infused concert at for the Broadway at Birdland series. The show, 'Echoes of Etta,' celebrated the musical legacy of Etta James, and included her first #1 hit, 'The Wallflower (Roll With Me, Henry),' her quintessential 'At Last,' and rare interview recordings of the star. The band included Michael Thomas Murray on piano and Fender Rhodes, Oscar Bautista on guitar, Mike Preen on bass, Steve Kelly on drums, Matthew Polashek on sax. 'The Peaches' included Shira Elias, Ashley Betton and Stephany Mora.

On Monday, May 28, YouTube sensation, chanteuse and high-end vocal coach Miranda Sings made her tenth sold-out concert appearance as part of the Broadway at Birdland series. Seth Rudetsky acted as musical director/pianist, jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein got some brush-up suggestions from 'violimnist' Miranda, and Adam Pascal, currently starring on Broadway in Memphis, subjected himself to the diva's sensitive and pitch-perfect critiques. As always, the show was filled with improvisation, a few hit songs, magic tricks, and dramatic readings of the lady's own hate mail. The wacked-out superstar (in reality, California native Colleen Ballinger) continues to perform her one-woman show in sold-out nightclubs and theaters in New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Dublin, and Sydney.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY continues its Spring 2012 season with the return engagement of Grammy Award nominated singer and entertainer MARILYN MAYE. Her new show - "The Happiest Sound In Town" - is her annual birthday celebration and features some of her most-requested numbers including "Guess Who I Saw Today," "Bye Bye Country Boy," "Rain" and "Golden Rainbow." Another highlight of the show, "Come In From The Rain," was a personal favorite of Johnny Carson; Maye performed it many times on "The Tonight Show" at his personal invitation. Maye's recent local appearances have been received with rave reviews and full houses. The show runs through Saturday, May 5 at the Loews Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street). Check out photos from the concert below!

The Glimmerglass Festival held its 2012 Spring Gala GL!MMERATA! on April 10 at The Metropolitan Club in Manhattan. The glittering evening benefitted the company's Young Artists and Summer Internship programs.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. The latest on the big musicals in Aurora, Oakbrook, Munster and Lincolnshire, two retro-60s jukebox shows, season announcements from Porchlight, Boho, Chicago Shakes and Court, plus the Light Opera Works gala!