Ron Murphy News

With almost 400 people in the audience, the leading lights of Tennessee theater were heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, Sunday night at the iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Hosted by Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson, the event featured musical numbers by more than 100 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees.

With almost 400 people in the audience, the leading lights of Tennessee theater were heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, Sunday night at the iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Hosted by Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson, the event featured musical numbers by more than 100 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees.

With almost 400 people in the audience, the leading lights of Tennessee theater were heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, Sunday night at the iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Hosted by Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson, the event featured musical numbers by more than 100 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees.

With almost 400 people in the audience, the leading lights of Tennessee theater were heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, Sunday night at the iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Hosted by Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson, the event featured musical numbers by more than 100 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees.

With almost 400 people in the audience, the leading lights of Tennessee theater were heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, Sunday night at the iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville. Hosted by Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson, the event featured musical numbers by more than 100 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees.

In December 1963, Paul Crabtree's The Perils of Pinocchio opened in the auditorium of the Cumberland Elementary School and created a county-wide storm of enthusiasm that gave birth to the Cumberland County Playhouse two years later. Now, on September 25 the Playhouse will present an updated version of the beloved musical fantasy as part of CCP's 50th Anniversary Season.

Geoff Davin, Stephanie Jones-Benton and Erica Patterson will serve as co-hosts as the leading lights of Tennessee theater are heralded with the presentation of the 2015 First Night Honors Gala, to be held Sunday, September 20, at Nashville's iconic and historic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. The event will feature musical numbers by more than 150 performers in tribute to the Class of 2015 Honorees.

2015 First Night Honoree Kaul Bluestone claimed her place in the First Night record books in the 20th Century: She was the 1996 Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play for her role in Circle Players' production of Dancing at Lughnasa...and she has starred in two critically acclaimed plays directed by First Night founder and executive producer Jeffrey Ellis in the 21st Century: The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Picnic, both for Circle Players.

Hosted by 2014 MPA Emily Eytchison (a graduate of Nashville's David Lipscomb University) and 2013 MPA Cade Smith (an alumnus of Trevecca Nazarene University), the 90-minute show will feature members of this year's class of promising young actors performing a wide variety of musical numbers and dramatic/comedic monologues for their audience.

2015 First Night Honoree Martha Wilkinson holds the record for the most First Night Awards with nine. A frequent performer on the First Night stage -- including particularly show-stopping numbers such as her rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone,' while clad in a white ballgown and backed up by a chorus of Nashville theater's leading men -- she's one of Tennessee's favorites for certain. She was first recognized by the First Night Awards in 1989, when she won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for her role in Circle Players' production of Pippin.

More than 150 people gathered at Nashville's venerable Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre Monday night for the announcement of honorees and award winners for the 2015 First Night Honors. Preview Party celebrants were treated to a bountiful buffet of entertainment as cast members from several musicals currently on the boards or upcoming on Middle Tennessee stages performed numbers from their shows

More than 150 people gathered at Nashville's venerable Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre Monday night for the announcement of honorees and award winners for the 2015 First Night Honors. Preview Party celebrants were treated to a bountiful buffet of entertainment as cast members from several musicals currently on the boards or upcoming on Middle Tennessee stages performed numbers from their shows.

Nine individuals who have taken leading roles in making live theater in Tennessee better and more magical have been named as members of the Class of 2015 Honorees for The First Night Honors, the annual celebration of all things theatrical held in Nashville every September.

Nine individuals who have taken leading roles in making live theater in Tennessee better and more magical have been named as members of the Class of 2015 Honorees for The First Night Honors, the annual celebration of all things theatrical held in Nashville every September.

Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash returns to the Adventure Theater from tonight, March 27 through June 9, 2015. 'The show was a huge hit for us in 2013,' said director Bryce McDonald, 'and since it closed we've had many people ask us to bring it back.' Producing Director Jim Crabtree concurred, adding, 'It's a wonderful production, full of heart, joy and great music. And we're fortunate to again have Kellye Cash in the show. As Johnny's niece, her perspective and her recollections of him make our production truly special.'

Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash returns to the Adventure Theater from March 27 through June 9, 2015. "The show was a huge hit for us in 2013," said director Bryce McDonald, "and since it closed we've had many people ask us to bring it back." Producing Director Jim Crabtree concurred, adding, "It's a wonderful production, full of heart, joy and great music. And we're fortunate to again have Kellye Cash in the show. As Johnny's niece, her perspective and her recollections of him make our production truly special."

On August 22, Cumberland County Playhouse will present Ron Murphy & Lauren Marshall: From A(udra) to Z(eppelin), a one night only concert with one of the most eclectic music mixes you've ever heard. Producer Jim Crabtree came up with the idea for the concert when he heard Ron and Lauren performing some jazz tunes in the lobby. Said Lauren Marshall, 'Jim approached us about doing a concert that would showcase the many different genres of music we enjoy. Ron and I both enjoy Zep; who doesn't? I'm a huge fan of that whole musical genre - The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones. We thought, why not try to adapt the guitar-heavy sound of Led Zeppelin into our style (which for this concert includes a grand piano, keyboard, drums and bass)? It's been challenging, but oh, so much fun.'

Beginning tonight, August 14, Cumberland County Playhouse will present It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, a rollicking celebration of America's first original contribution to music, the Blues! 'It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues is not only about the Blues, it's a sure cure for the Blues,' explains the show's director/choreographer Harry Bryce (Ain't Misbehavin', Crowns, Dreamgirls).

On August 22, Cumberland County Playhouse will present Ron Murphy & Lauren Marshall: From A(udra) to Z(eppelin), a one night only concert with one of the most eclectic music mixes you've ever heard. Producer Jim Crabtree came up with the idea for the concert when he heard Ron and Lauren performing some jazz tunes in the lobby. Said Lauren Marshall, "Jim approached us about doing a concert that would showcase the many different genres of music we enjoy. Ron and I both enjoy Zep; who doesn't? I'm a huge fan of that whole musical genre - The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones. We thought, why not try to adapt the guitar-heavy sound of Led Zeppelin into our style (which for this concert includes a grand piano, keyboard, drums and bass)? It's been challenging, but oh, so much fun."

Beginning August 14, Cumberland County Playhouse will present It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, a rollicking celebration of America's first original contribution to music, the Blues! 'It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues is not only about the Blues, it's a sure cure for the Blues,' explains the show's director/choreographer Harry Bryce (Ain't Misbehavin', Crowns, Dreamgirls).