Shannon Wood News

Nashville theater has always been progressive. There have always been people and companies focused on the cutting edge, delivering productions that challenge and compel their audiences to think and to consider where they are now and where they will go in the future, and there is no question that such forward-thinking creative types will continue to wield influence in the theater community for as long as theater is to be created here, there and everywhere.

GOOD MORNING, THEATERATI! Welcome to the start of Memorial Day Weekend: It's Friday, May 26, 2017 and time to live life dramatically! It really sounds like we should be cutting a ribbon somewhere to herald the start of the long weekend that kicks off summer, but instead we sit here in front of a computer screen, remembering and reminiscing, in hopes of providing you with something to read while you sit by the pool, waiting for the SPF37 to kick in!

Nominations for the 23rd Annual SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS were announced live today from the Pacific Design Center. Sophia Bush (Chicago P.D., One Tree Hill) and Common (Suicide Squad, Selma) joined SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris to reveal this year's announce the nominees.

More importantly, perhaps, since I know where the bodies are buried-both literally and figuratively-I am provided a unique perspective on the personalities that have shaped theater in Tennessee for at least the past 30 years (I was five years old when I started in this gig). Today you will be introduced to one of the finest actors to ever walk onto a Tennessee stage via our brand new feature series…WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Our first subject is Mark Delabarre, who who spoke with us from his home in New York City.

Critically acclaimed comedy RAISING HOPE will end its four-season run with a special one-hour farewell event Today, April 4 (9:00-9:30/9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).

GLAAD honored Michael Elyanow's "The Children' (The Theatre @ Boston Court, Spring 2012) along side former President Bill Clinton, entertainment attorney Steve Warren, and the best in film and television at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.

FOX has picked up comedy series NEW GIRL, THE MINDY PROJECT and RAISING HOPE for the 2013-14 season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. NEW GIRL was picked up for a third season, THE MINDY PROJECT received a second season order and RAISING HOPE was renewed for a fourth season.

This February, FOX fuels up with major television events, all-new episodes and big guest stars, including the landmark 850th episode of COPS Feb. 2;

FOX announces revisions to its Tuesday night lineup, as well as the season premiere of HELL'S KITCHEN on Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future") guest stars on an all-new episode of the FOX comedy RAISING HOPE entitled "Credit Where Credit is Due". Get a sneak peek below!

It's a Spooktacular Tuesday when stars from FOX's Tuesday night comedies tweet during the special Halloween-themed episodes on Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 8:00-10:00 PM ET/5:00-7:00 PM PT. Join the conversation throughout the night with RAISING HOPE's Martha Plimpton; BEN AND KATE's Maggie Elizabeth Jones and Dakota Johnson; NEW GIRL's Lamorne Morris and Hannah Simone; and THE MINDY PROJECT's Mindy Kaling and Ike Barinholtz.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the New FOX Tuesday comedies keep the laughs coming with all-new episodes of RAISING HOPE (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), BEN AND KATE (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT). An all-new special one-hour episode of THE X FACTOR featuring the conclusion of the 'Judges' Homes' round airs during a special, extended prime from 9:30-10:30 PM ET/PT.

Halloween comes twice this year with two nights of Halloween-themed programming on FOX. First up are hilariously hair-raising all-new ANIMATION DOMINATION episodes of THE CLEVELAND SHOW (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT), THE SIMPSONS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), BOB'S BURGERS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and AMERICAN DAD (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) airing Sunday, Oct. 7.

It's GUYS vs. GIRLS on #FOXTuesdays! Join Cast Members of RAISING HOPE, BEN AND KATE, NEW GIRL and THE MINDY PROJECT when they tweet during the two-hour comedy block tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 2. Join the Conversation at #FoxTuesdays

Check out a behind-the-scenes video from a promotional shoot for the third season of the FOX comedy RAISING HOPE. The series returns with all-new episodes on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 8/7c on Fox.

Starting today, fans can enter the RAISING HOPE CLEAN SWEEP contest to win a home visit (and housecleaning!) from Plimpton and Dillahunt at www.fox.com/cleansweep.

In an exclusive Twitter first, the series premiere of RAISING HOPE (@RaisingHopeFOX) is now available for viewing on the Tuesday-night comedy's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/raisinghopefox. Starring Martha Plimpton, Lucas Neff and Garret Dillahunt, RAISING HOPE is the first-ever TV series to offer a full episode on Twitter.

Check out the first pictures from the red carpet below! Fashion! Stars! Glamour!

In an exclusive Twitter first, the series premiere of RAISING HOPE (@RaisingHopeFOX) is now available for viewing on the Tuesday-night comedy's Twitter page at www.twitter.com/raisinghopefox. Starring Martha Plimpton, Lucas Neff and Garret Dillahunt, RAISING HOPE is the first-ever TV series to offer a full episode on Twitter.

Dressed to the nines-despite forecasts of thunderstorms and a tornado watch that hung over the region-theater people from throughout Tennessee gathered at Belmont University's Bill and Carole Troutt Theatre on Sunday night for the 2013 First Night Honors. Hosted by Holly Shepherd and Joel Diggs, the gala evening honored eight leading lights of Tennessee theater as they were recognized as members of the First Night Class of 2013 Honorees.