Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.
 CCP Students, Faculty presents Broadway Our Way Today-27
April 25, 2013
Broadway Our Way, the annual showcase of the Performance Education Center of Cumberland County Playhouse-which features dance, theater, musical theater and all manner of stagecraft-will be presented at the Crossville theater April 25-27.
 Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Continues Lipscomb University Theatre's 2012-13 Season, Now thru 4/21
April 18, 2013
William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night-directed by Denice Hicks, artistic director of Nashville Shakespeare Festival-is presented by David Lipscomb University's theatre department, tonight, April 18-21. In what is considered one of the greatest comedies ever written, Shakespeare delivers a night of deep, satisfying laughter, according to Hicks.
 Wilkinson Directs Revival of John Chaffin's DED HERRING at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, Now thru 5/19
April 18, 2013
Nine-time First Night Award winner Martha Wilkinson directs a revival of John Chaffin's Ded Herring, running now through May 19 at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Nashville.
 Jersey Boys, Wicked, War Horse and Sister Act On Tap for Nashville Audiences as TPAC Reveals 2013-14 Season
April 16, 2013
Return engagements of two of Nashville's favorite Broadway musicals and the arrival of a critically lauded international production are among the highlights as The Tennessee Performing Arts Center announced on Tuesday the six Broadway titles in its upcoming 2013-14 HCA/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC series as well as several special engagements.
 DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL Opens At Arts Center of Cannon County Tonight
April 13, 2013
Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, the uproarious and surprisingly poignant story of two bumbling Alabama brothers who have never shot a duck but think they shot an angel, comes to Woodbury's Arts Center of Cannon County tonight, April 13-28, 2013.
 BWW Reviews: Newman, Candilora Give Stunning Performances in Keeton Theatre's GYPSY
April 12, 2013
With Ginger Newman's bravura performance as Mama Rose setting the standard-along with a stunning portrayal by Christina Candilora as a young Gypsy Rose Lee-The Larry Keeton Theatre's production of Gypsy, the Broadway fable about stage mothers and their beleaguered children, has a lot to recommend it to theater-goers. Newman and Candilora are given strong support from Terry McLemore, Stella London, Cade Smith, Virginia Richardson and the trio of wizened strippers who urge the young Louise to "get a gimmick" (Jane Schnelle, Monykah Tyson and Emily Ann Cowart).
 MAMA WON'T FLY Opens at Arts Center of Cannon County Tonight
April 12, 2013
An outrageously hilarious race against the clock begins when Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt agrees to get her feisty mother all the way from Alabama to California in time for her brother's wedding. Savannah's problem: Mama Won't Fly. With only four days to make it to the ceremony, this determined daughter has no choice but to drive cross-country with her equally willful mother in Mama's vintage sedan.
 Tennessee playwrights, actors and directors collaborate for two nights of staged readings April 28 and 29
April 3, 2013
Scheduled for April 28 and 29, The Ten Minute Playhouse is the next entry in Playhouse Nashville's 2013 season in residence at Street Theatre Company located at 1933 Elm Hill Pike. Deadline for submissions by Tennessee playwrights is 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. Submissions may be sent as PDF attachments via email to TMPHSubmissions@gmail.com.
 Lindy Pendzick stars as William Gibson's THE MIRACLE WORKER Opens Friday, April 5, at Cumberland County Playhouse
April 3, 2013
Opening Friday, April 5, in the Adventure Theater at Cumberland County Playhouse is William Gibson's The Miracle Worker, starring Lindy Pendzick as Annie Sullivan, the gifted young teacher who brought light, words, and the world to a blind, deaf child.
 Peter Vann directs as GO, DOG. GO! Continues Nashville Children's Theatre's 81st Season
April 3, 2013
This innovative adaptation of one of the best-loved books for early readers bursts to life on NCT's stage in an explosion of movement, a kaleidoscope of color and a circus-wagon load of clowning. Audiences are invited to join Red Dog, Blue Dog, Yellow Dog and Green Dog as they bark, scoot, scratch, drive, and howl at the moon. Go, Dog. Go! is described as an exhilarating celebration of childhood for children of all ages.
MAMA WON'T FLY, By Jones-Hope-Wooten, Opens at Arts Center of Cannon County for 4/12-27 run
April 3, 2013
An outrageously hilarious race against the clock begins when Savannah Sprunt Fairchild Honeycutt agrees to get her feisty mother all the way from Alabama to California in time for her brother's wedding. Savannah's problem: Mama Won't Fly. With only four days to make it to the ceremony, this determined daughter has no choice but to drive cross-country with her equally willful mother in Mama's vintage sedan.
Wilkinson Directs Revival of John Chaffin's DED HERRING at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre 4/4-5/19
April 3, 2013
In Ded Herring, written by theatre owner John Chaffin, George is an unsuccessful mystery writer living off of his wife's inheritance. When George discovers that his heiress wife is paying for the services of a male escort, he becomes furious and then the fun really begins! This suspenseful play full of intrigue and double-crosses will keep you guessing until the very last moment.
 Nashville Ballet Sets Shakespeare Tragedy to Dance; Workshop Version of MACBETH Explores Underlying Themes
April 3, 2013
With live music performed by ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, Nashville Ballet stages Shakespeare's tragedy about betrayal, greed, power and consequences in an intimate, workshop-style version of Macbeth at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet May 16-18.
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Continues Lipscomb University Theatre's 2012-13 Season April 18-21
April 3, 2013
William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night-directed by Denice Hicks, artistic director of Nashville Shakespeare Festival-is presented by David Lipscomb University's theatre department April 18-21. In what is considered one of the greatest comedies ever written, Shakespeare delivers a night of deep, satisfying laughter, according to Hicks.
 Nashville Shakespeare Festival celebrates The Bard's birthday with April 21 celebration at Cumberland Park
April 3, 2013
Nashville Shakespeare Festival presents Bardaroo!, a free musical birthday celebration for the Bard April 21 at Cumberland Park. The event, which takes place from 2 to 6 p.m., marks William Shakespeare's 449th birthday. It's also part of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's year-long silver anniversary festivities.
CCP Students, Faculty presents Broadway Our Way April 25-27
April 3, 2013
Broadway Our Way, the annual showcase of the Performance Education Center of Cumberland County Playhouse-which features dance, theater, musical theater and all manner of stagecraft-will be presented at the Crossville theater April 25-27.
 BWW Reviews: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Lands At TPAC With High-Flying Style
January 24, 2013
Can you just imagine the things Frank Abagnale Jr. could do if he were an enterprising teenager in the 21st Century? The charming, conniving and cunning young man would likely rule the world.
 Clarksville's Roxy Theatre Opens 11th Year of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES Tonight
January 11, 2013
Eve Ensler's series of monologues about women and performed by women has played to packed houses across the country, and the Roxy Regional Theatre's production of The Vagina Monologues-beginning its 11th year tonight, January 11, at 8 p.m.-is no exception.
 Butler, Ravelette Reunite for ACT 1's Production of BROADWAY BOUND, Now thru 1/26
January 11, 2013
ACT 1-winner of the 2011 First Night Award for Outstanding Play-will kick off 2013 with its presentation of Neil Simon's Broadway Bound, the final chapter of the playwright's trilogy based on his own early years.
 Photo Coverage: Midwinter's First Night 1/6/13
January 8, 2013
The world premiere of a brand-spanking new musical with Broadway in its sights, a relatively young but awe-inspiring theater company and a sparkling, witty new play about Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald led the list of Tennessee's outstanding theatrical achievements in 2012 that was revealed Sunday night at Midwinter's First Night. Photographer Rick Malkin was on hand to capture the evening's highlights with his camera.
 McGowan, Tilghman Claim Top BWW Nashville Theatre Awards at Sunday Night Event
January 7, 2013
The Nutty Professor's Marissa McGowan, Caroline or Change's Dalton Tilghman and Kirk-Burgess Productions' debut production of Mysterious Skin claimed top honors Sunday night as winners of the BWW Nashville Theatre Awards were announced.
 Out Front on Main, Cumberland County Playhouse Top Winners' List in BWW Tennessee Theatre Awards
January 7, 2013
Out Front on Main, Inc., Murfreesboro's cutting-edge theater company, and Cumberland County Playhouse, Crossville's venerable theater that has been delighting audiences since the 1960s, were among the top winners in the BroadwayWorld.com Tennessee Theatre Awards, announced Sunday night.
 NUTTY PROFESSOR, Blackbird Theatre, Feehely Claim Top Honors at Midwinter's First Night
January 7, 2013
The world premiere of a brand-spanking new musical with Broadway in its sights, a relatively young but awe-inspiring theater company and a sparkling, witty new play about Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald led the list of Tennessee's outstanding theatrical achievements in 2012 that was revealed Sunday night at Midwinter's First Night.
Butler, Ravelette Reunite for ACT 1's Production of BROADWAY BOUND, 1/11-26
December 30, 2012
ACT 1-winner of the 2011 First Night Award for Outstanding Play-will kick off 2013 with its presentation of Neil Simon's Broadway Bound, the final chapter of the playwright's trilogy based on his own early years.
 First Night Award-winning Boiler Room Theatre To Stage LES MISERABLES in August
December 30, 2012
First Night Award-winning Boiler Room Theatre, recognized as Tennessee's Outstanding Theatre Company in 2011, will stage a full production of Les Misrables with a limited run in August, 2013. The iconic musical will be presented as a special three-performance benefit for the non-profit Boiler Room Theatre August 8-10.
Clarksville's Roxy Theatre Presents 11th Year of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
December 30, 2012
Eve Ensler's series of monologues about women and performed by women has played to packed houses across the country, and the Roxy Regional Theatre's production of The Vagina Monologues-beginning its 11th year on Friday, January 11, at 8 p.m.-is no exception.
 First Night's Top 10 of 2012: THE OUTSTANDING THEATRICAL EVENTS
December 26, 2012
It's been a busy year in Nashville theater in 2012, with audiences treated to a whole slate of theatrical offerings spanning multiple genres-from productions of time-honored classics to new and original contemporary works, from dramas to comedies, from straight plays to musicals-and giving local theater-goers more opportunities than ever before to be challenged by the onstage magic created by some of Tennessee's most talented and gifted artists.
 Matriarch of Chaffin Family, of Barn Dinner Theatre Fame, Dies in Nashville
December 10, 2012
Edna Lou Neblett Chaffin-perhaps better known to members of Nashville's theater community as "Puny"-one-half of the couple who created The Barn Dinner Theatre that ultimately became Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, died Monday, December 10, after a long illness.
 GroundWorks Theatre Preps DADDY WENT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS For Darkhorse Run
December 10, 2012
GroundWorks Theatre and playwright/director Myra Stephens give a decidedly Southern accent to the holiday season as they present Daddy Went Home for Christmas from December 14-23 at Nashville's Darkhorse Theatre. Described by the playwright as "a parody of all things Southern," consider it a holiday-themed gift of love, dental issues and the death of a loved one.
 Playhouse Nashville's Slate of New 10-Minute Plays Continues Tonight
December 10, 2012
Playhouse Nashville's popular Ten Minute Playhouse continues at Street Theatre tonight with staged readings six more new plays by Middle Tennessee writers including well-known Nashville playwrights from the Writer's Stage and the Tennessee Repertory Martha Ingram New Works Project.
 Matt Chiorini Directs MACBETH To Open 2013 For Nashville Shakespeare Festival
December 10, 2012
Matt Chiorini directs Macbeth-one of the bard's best-known political tragedies-to kick off 2013 for Nashville Shakespeare Festival at Belmont University's Troutt Theater January 10-27. Eric D. Pasto-Crosby and Shannon Hoppe lead a cast of NSF veterans and newcomers in the much-anticipated production.
 Nashville Children's Theatre Selects Project Linus For Holiday Charity 2012
December 10, 2012
Nashville Children's Theatre this season-during the run of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown-has understandably selected Project Linus as its annual holiday season charity, inviting audiences to become involved in the process.
 Nashville Ballet Receives NEA Grant to Support New Contemporary Dance Work
December 10, 2012
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Rocco Landesman announced recently that Nashville Ballet is one of 832 non-profit organizations nationwide-and only one of two organizations in Tennessee-to receive an NEA Art Works grant.
 Playhouse Nashville Seeks Actors for Staged Readings at Street Theatre Company
November 26, 2012
Playhouse Nashville's popular Ten Minute Playhouse-named one of the Top 11 Theatrical Events of 2011 by The First Night Honors-returns December 9 and 10 with a fresh slate of 12 new plays by Middle Tennessee writers. Local actors interested in participating in the staged readings at Street Theatre Company are invited to attend an open casting call and rehearsal on Saturday, December 8, at noon.
 Photo Coverage: First Night Robe Presented to Irvin, Holder, Waldrep and Stokes
November 25, 2012
Carol Irvin, who has been a mainstay at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse for more than 20 years, is the latest recipient of The First Night Robe,presented on Saturday, November 17, prior to curtain of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Earlier in the same week, Bralyn Stokes received the robe at Rhubarb Theater's Birds in Church, and Michael Holder and Josh Waldrep claimed it at Street Theatre Company's Miss Saigon in Concert.
 Mandy Barnett Kicks Off WINTER WONDERLAND Tour at Cumberland County Playhouse 11/23
November 22, 2012
World-class vocalist, First Night Award-nominated actress and Crossville native Mandy Barnett returns to the stage of her hometown's Cumberland County Playhouse for a very special Christmas concert Friday night, November 23 at 8 p.m.
 Renaissance Players Revive A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MUSICAL For 2012 Holiday Season Run
November 22, 2012
Dickson's Renaissance Players usher in the holiday season with an encore production of the musical extravaganza, A Christmas Carol, The Musical, running November 30 - December 18 in the Anne Deason Performance Hall at The Renaissance Center.
 Roxy Celebrates Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday with A CHRISTMAS CAROL, November 23 - December 22
November 22, 2012
Roxy Regional Theatre artistic director John McDonald returns to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge as the Clarksville professional theatre debuts its 2012 production of A Christmas Carol-and celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens-on Friday, November 23, running through December 22.
 Hardcastle-Miles Directs 2012 Season-Ending PETER PAN At Lakewood Theatre Company
November 22, 2012
April Hardcastle-Miles directs Peter Pan as Lakewood Theatre Company, chosen as 2011's BroadwayWorld.com's best community theatre, concludes its 2012 season.
 BWW Reviews: CCP's JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT One of 2012's Best
November 18, 2012
Tall, blond and handsome-and looking for all the world like some sort of biblical superhero-Colin Cahill may be the ideal Joseph, given the sumptuous and fast paced production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat at Cumberland County Playhouse. Cahill charms and entertains as Jacob's favorite son, surrounded by what seems like a cast of thousands, bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical to life with enough energy to power every household along the Cumberland Plateau.
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