Lisa Garner Harrison News

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…

When the last performers had sung the final song and the late honoree had been feted, the crowds at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre for the presentation of First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors' 2011 Gala Concert, headed downtown to Cummins Station for the After-Party at The Listening Room Cafe.

Hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer, First Night, the Nashville Theater Honors Gala was preceded by the Red Carpet Event just before the tribute concert on a rainy Sunday, September 4, at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre.

One of the new events added to the line-up for 2011 First Night, The Theatre Honors was The Women In Theatre Luncheon - which saluted the inaugural eight recipients of The First Night Star Award - held Tuesday, August 30, at The Listening Room Cafe in Cummins Station. Co-chaired by Corrie Miller and Neely O'Brien Green, the event was produced by Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of First Night.

Tennessee's glittering theaterati gathered in Nashville for the 2011 edition of First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors, paying tribute to six of the leading lights of the theater community -- PAM ATHA, DAN BREWER, GARY C. HOFF, DANNY PROCTOR, LAYNE SASSER and HELEN OLAKETI SHUTE-PETTAWAY -- on Sunday, September 4, the culmination of a nine-day long celebration of live theater in the Volunteer State. Hosted by two-time First Night Award winner David Compton, the Honors Gala featured staged musical and dramatic tributes to the six honorees, starring some of the best-known names in Tennessee theater.

Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.

First Night: The Honors Gala is set for Sunday, September 4, at the Troutt Theatre at Belmont University, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the Red Carpet Event, hosted by Jennifer Richmond and Trey Palmer, with fashion commentary by Cary Street, Joshua Waldrep and Lisa Garner Harrison. Impresario Johnny Delarocco (aka John Pyka) will produce a special Red Carpet performance by his company just for First Night.

Six of the leading lights of the theater world in Tennessee will be recognized as members of the 2011 Class of First Night Honorees August 27-September 4 as First Night, the Nashville Theatre Honors hosts a series of theatrical events to celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.

Cumberland County Playhouse dance directors Eldar Valiev and Lilia Valieva will be feted with a 'farewell reception' to wish them well as they leave Clarksville to take over as artistic directors of the Festival Ballet of North Central Texas. The couple will also lead the 22-year-old professional company's training program. The reception will be held on Sunday, July 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the CCP Gazebo.

Cumberland County Playhouse dance directors Eldar Valiev and Lilia Valieva will be feted with a 'farewell reception' to wish them well as they leave Clarksville to take over as artistic directors of the Festival Ballet of North Central Texas. The couple will also lead the 22-year-old professional company's training program. The reception will be held on Sunday, July 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the CCP Gazebo.

Amid threatening weather forecasts and a winter storm bearing down on the South, more than 150 hardy souls gathered to celebrate live theatre in Nashville and Middle Tennessee with the presentation of the BroadwayWorld.com Nashville Theatre Awards and First Night's Top Ten of Twenty-Ten on Sunday night, January 9. Street Theatre Company's new venue at 1933 Elm Hill Pike was the setting for the event that featured performances by Joann Coleman, Ben Van Diepen, Ann Street Kavanaugh, Laura Matula, Michael Kitts and Bakari Jamal King.