L.T. Kirk News

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!

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.

KB Productions, the team behind the recent sold-out smash, Southern Baptist Sissies, and the hard hitting Mysterious Skin, continues to cement its reputation in the Nashville theater community by presenting edgy, left of center productions that have not previously been seen on Music City stages. Up next for the innovative theater company is a staged reading of the new coming of age play, FLIT, by Nashville resident John Wesley Lasiter.

KB Productions, the team behind the recent sold-out smash, Southern Baptist Sissies, and the hard hitting Mysterious Skin, continues to cement its reputation in the Nashville theater community by presenting edgy, left of center productions that have not previously been seen on Music City stages. Up next for the innovative theater company is a staged reading of the new coming of age play, FLIT, by Nashville resident John Wesley Lasiter.

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.

Compellingly dramatic and musically inspiring, Caroline, Or Change-the musical now onstage at Street Theatre Company through the end of the month-might very well be the most startling and thoroughly extraordinary production from the company in its rather brief existence in Nashville.

Kirk-Burgess Productions makes an auspicious debut on the Nashville theatrical scene with a solid production of Prince Gomolvilas' play Mysterious Skin, based on the Scott Heim novel of the same name, that weaves together the interconnected stories of two young men, each struggling to overcome his horrific past.

Described as "bold, captivating and often shocking," Mysterious Skin, a play by Prince Gomolvilas based on the novel by Scott Heim, is being brought to the Darkhorse Theatre stage, thanks to producing/directing duo of L.T. Kirk and Jonathan Burgess.

Apparently, it is Elvis Week in Nashville (at least according to the fine folks at Loveless Cafe), so before we head out to the theater for a full weekend of show openings and the like, a trip to West Nashville for a slice of the Loveless' Elvis pie is in order (for the uninitiated, that's peanut butter, banana, bacon and homemade whipped cream-the four basic food groups, according to The King.), so before we slip into a diabetic coma, here's installment #7 of Music City Confidential, all the news that's fit to print from onstage, offstage, backstage and beyond…

Described as "bold, captivating and often shocking," Mysterious Skin, a play by Prince Gomolvilas based on the novel by Scott Heim, is being brought to the Darkhorse Theatre stage, thanks to producing/directing duo of L.T. Kirk and Jonathan Burgess.

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…

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look so damn good? We're gonna tell ya…Today's actor/subject/model is the handsome, talented and very busy L.T. Kirk, photographed by Samantha Rogers.

City of Light, a new and original light opera set in the Spiritualist community of Lily Dale, New Yor-written by Michael McFaden, set to the music of Gilbert and Sullivan-will make its bow to the public in two staged readings on March 30 and 31 at Nashville's Global Education Center.

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.

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…