Lane Wright News

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.

Led by the charming Debbie Kraski, who commands the stage with grace and wit as the show's wacky protagonist, director Jenny Noel's talented cast delivers a pleasant and amusing summer diversion by way of John Patrick's Everybody Loves Opal, now onstage at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre.

First Night Award winner Jenny Noel directs Everybody Loves Opal, the latest comedy onstage at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. A comedy by John Patrick, Everybody Loves Opal runs June 16-July 23, and features a cast of some of Nashville's favorite actors.

N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker has been a part of our collective pop culture and theatrical canon for years and is probably best known because of the 1956 film version that starred Katharine Hepburn and Burt Lancaster, which has cast its indelible shadow on every intervening stage production since its initial release. That being said, who could have everexpected the emotional wallop packed by the superb revival now onstage at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, directed by Sam Whited? Quietly and gracefully, the impact of The Rainmaker remains as potent as it has ever been and it is performed by a thoroughly committed cast of Barn veterans and newcomers all focused on the task at hand.

Popular Nashville actor Sam Whited makes his Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre directorial debut with the revival of N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker, running May 5-June 11. Elizabeth Walsh and Bryce Conner lead the cast of the revival in the pivotal roles of 'Lizzie' and 'Starbuck,' the rainmaker of the play's title.

Popular Nashville actor Sam Whited makes his Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre directorial debut with the revival of N. Richard Nash's The Rainmaker, running May 5-June 11. Elizabeth Walsh and Bryce Conner lead the cast of the revival in the pivotal roles of 'Lizzie' and 'Starbuck,' the rainmaker of the play's title.

In recognition of the centennial of Williams' birth, I conducted a very unscientific survey among Nashville theater folk to determine which of his plays are the most popular and the best loved. Perhaps surprisingly, the top vote-getters in our informal survey were A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Summer and Smoke, shows that have been given memorable (so memorable, in fact, that people continue to talk about them) productions in Music City in the last century. Members of the Nashville theaterati have definite ideas where Williams' plays are concerned.

In honor of Valentine's Day (and in a blatant rip-off of BroadwayWorld.com's similar query to the denizens of the Great White Way), we posed that very question to some of our favorite theater community-dwellers in yet another not-so-scientific survey. So, if you're thinking about putting together a playlist of favorite love songs - or if you're searching for the perfect tunes to play in the background while you set the scene for a romantic evening with your own Valentine, here are some suggestions...

The Boiler Room Theatre (in The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road, Bldg Six, Franklin) concludes its 10th Anniversary season with the delightful Southern comedy.

The Boiler Room Theatre (in The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road, Bldg Six, Franklin) concludes its 10th Anniversary season with the delightful Southern comedy.

The Boiler Room Theatre (in The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road, Bldg Six, Franklin) concludes its 10th Anniversary season with the delightful Southern comedy.

The Boiler Room Theatre (in The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road, Bldg Six, Franklin) continues its 10th Anniversary season with the Nashville original musical comedy from the creators of the wildly successful 'McBeth! The Musical.' This hysterical musical adaptation of Dickens' novel 'A Tale of Two Cities' pokes fun at shows such as Les Miserables, My Fair Lady, Oliver, and others. Starring Megan (Murphy) Chambers, Stephen Henry, Lisa Gillespie, Dan McGeachy, Phil Perry, Scott Rice, Laura Thomas Sonn and Lane Wright. Directed by Jamey Green with choreography by Lauri Gregoire.

The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's residentprofessional theatre company, continues its 10 th season with Les Miz! A Tale of Two Cities opening August 13, 2010 at the theatre, located in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tenn. for a run through September 4.

Eight of the best-known names in Nashville theater will be announced next Monday, August 2, as the Class of 2010 for The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors. The newly remodeled Hard Rock Cafe, at 100 Broadway in downtown Nashville, will play host to the preview party from 6 to 8 p.m., when the names of the honorees will be revealed publicly for the first time.

The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's resident professional theatre company, continues its 10 th season with Les Miz!

Eight of the best-known names in Nashville theater will be announced next Monday, August 2, as the Class of 2010 for The First Night Nashville Theatre Honors. The newly remodeled Hard Rock Cafe, at 100 Broadway in downtown Nashville, will play host to the preview party from 6 to 8 p.m., when the names of the honorees will be revealed publicly for the first time.