Linda Speir News

Inspired by all the seasonal festivities that abound, we asked people in the theater community to share their favorite things to see onstage during the run-up to Christmas…

Director Lisa Gillespie is responsible for my most recent serving of Steel Magnolias (onstage at Boiler Room Theatre in Franklin through September 8), which like all richly decadent Southern delicacies, sates something within me that yearns for a memory-laden repast-serving up Harling's artful blend of comedy and drama that is so redolent of my upbringing. In fact, every new production of Steel Magnolias that I see reminds me of a family reunion, where the same stories of kinfolk and friends are told time and again, providing a rich heritage from which to draw sustenance.

First Night Award-winning Boiler Room Theatre is looking ahead to its 2013 season, unveiling the seven shows that will make up the company's Lucky 13th Season. The 2013 season shows have been announced via social media this week, with each day featuring the announcement of another title in BRT's slate of shows.

The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's original and longest-running professional theatre company, will stage Robert Harling's classic comedic drama Steel Magnolias in August. The production will run from tonight, August 17th through September 8that the theatre's iconic namesake venue in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tenn.

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…

The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's original and longest-running professional theatre company, will stage Robert Harling's classic comedic drama Steel Magnolias in August. The production will run from August 17th through September 8that the theatre's iconic namesake venue in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tenn.

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…

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…

Now, we're the last to try to stir up trouble or to further flame the fires of jealousy or envy, but we thought we'd share with you some photographs of some of those lovely ladies who could delight their audiences just by standing there-but whom inspire and encourage us all with their superb onstage talents. So, here's our recommendation, take a look at these photographs, then find out on which stages you can find these women this summer, then make a reservation and go to the theater…

Who among us doesn't love a suspenseful yet wickedly entertaining melodrama about an eight-year-old sociopath who lets nothing stand in the way of her lifelong quest to get exactly what she wants? Whether it's a penmanship medal, a crystal ball, a garnet from a necklace - or even to prevent a trip to the electric chair - young Rhoda Penmark, who is the very picture of sweetness and light and old-fashioned manners and deportment, has for more than 50 years mesmerized audiences, delighting them with her larcenous, murderous ways. Let's face it: Who among us hasn't had flashes of going all Rhoda Penmark on the people who are obstacles in our own lives?

Little Rhoda Penmark, sweet, charming and full of old-fashion grace, and she may have the 'prettiest mother,' and be loved by her devoted parents and admired by all her elders. However, if you delve deeper into Rhoda's psyche, you might find something darker and far more sinister. And when one of Rhoda's schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, her mother Christine Penmark (played by Lisa Marie Wright) is alarmed. For the boy who was drowned won the penmanship medal that Rhoda (played by Lucy Turner) felt she deserved.

Little Rhoda Penmark is sweet, charming, full of old-fashioned graces, loved by her parents, admired by all her elders.

Little Rhoda Penmark may have the 'prettiest mother,' she might be sweet, charming, and full of old-fashioned graces, loved by her parents, admired by all her elders. Delve deeper into Rhoda's psyche, however, and you might find something darker and far more sinister. And when one of Rhoda's schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, her mother Christine Penmark (played by Lisa Marie Wright) is alarmed. For the boy who was drowned won the penmanship medal that Rhoda (played by Lucy Turner) felt she deserved.

Tennessee Women's Theater Project returns to Nashville's Z. Alexander Looby Theater for the fifth year running - beginning Friday May 6 - for its annual Women's Work festival of performing and visual arts created by women. Running through Sunday, May 22, the festival cuts a broad swath across styles and genres to offer eleven completely different programs: poetry and essays; one-woman shows; staged readings of new plays; film, dance, music and a display of visual art works in the theater lobby. On Saturday night, May 7, audiences will be treated to Motherland, a new play by two-time First Night Award winner Melissa Bedinger Hade (who also directs), starring Linda Speir, Amanda Bailey, Michael Roark and Phil Perry.

Nashville theater favorite Linda Speir takes on the role of Carrie Watts in Towne Centre Theatre's production of Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful, opening Thursday, February 10 and running through Saturday, February 26. Jim Himelrick directs the poignant drama at the Brentwood theater. In addition to Speir, whose resume includes roles with numerous Nashville area companies, Himelrick's cast includes Corey Caldwell, Bev Kassis, Beth Henderson, David Thoreson, Joe Shepherd, Bob Buchholz and Ed Warr.

Nashville theater favorite Linda Speir takes on the role of Carrie Watts in Towne Centre Theatre's production of Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful, opening Thursday, February 10 and running through Saturday, February 26. Jim Himelrick directs the poignant drama at the Brentwood theater. In addition to Speir, whose resume includes roles with numerous Nashville area companies, Himelrick's cast includes Corey Caldwell, Bev Kassis, Beth Henderson, David Thoreson, Joe Shepherd, Bob Buchholz and Ed Warr.

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.

In a stylish and immensely entertaining fashion, director Melissa Bedinger Hade and her capable and confident band of merry players deliver a pleasantly diverting late-summer offering of Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid to open ACT 1's 2010-11 season with vigorous aplomb at Darkhorse Theatre.