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.
 BWW Reviews: Belmont University Musical Theatre's FOOTLOOSE is Exuberant and Exhilarating
November 18, 2012
Directed with sharp focus by David Shamburger and featuring the expert musical direction of Jo Lynn Burks and the terrific, dance club-infused choreography of Emily Tello Speck, BUMT's Footloose seems far removed from the silly musical theater oddity that debuted on Broadway in 1998, another example of producers seeking to capitalize on a film's success by transferring it to the stage.
 BWW Reviews: Street Theatre Company's MISS SAIGON IN CONCERT: Superb and Moving
November 16, 2012
There's no life-sized helicopter landing on the stage during Street Theatre Company's concert mounting of Miss Saigon, The Engineer doesn't take the stage while humping the top of a Cadillac car, nor is "The Morning of the Dragon" the flag-waving, people's army spectacle you might have come to expect from bigger, grander productions of the musical that ran on Broadway for more than 4,000 performances and played the nation's theaters and concert halls while on tour.
 BWW Reviews: Rhubarb Celebrates Its 10th Season With Revival of BIRDS IN CHURCH
November 15, 2012
There are some lovely moments to be found in Birds in Church, the latest production from Nashville's Rhubarb Theatre-a refashioning of the company's first production almost ten years ago, both of which feature vignettes selected from among playwright and former priest Joe Pintauro's Metropolitan Operas. There are lovely moments, to be certain, along with some that are almost riotously funny, genuinely moving and clearly provocative.
 Lipscomb University Theatre to Stage Full Production of LES MISERABLES in November 2013
November 15, 2012
First Night Award winning directors Mike Fernandez (Doubt, 2010) and Justin Boccitto (Hairspray, 2011) will join forces to co-direct Les Miserables as Lipscomb University Theatre's homecoming musical in early November 2013.
 BWW Reviews: WHITE CHRISTMAS: Nostalgic, Sentimental, Romantic AND an Irving Berlin Score
November 14, 2012
You would have to be some sort of modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge-mean and spiteful, unfeeling and cold-not to be totally captivated by Irving Berlin's White Christmas, the exuberant stage musical based on the classic holiday film that many hold dear and now onstage at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall through Sunday, November 18.
 Broadway Leading Man David Elder Has a WHITE CHRISTMAS Homecoming in Nashville
November 12, 2012
For David Elder, making the trip to Nashville to star in the national touring company of Irving Berlin's White Christmas-the stage musical based on the holiday film favorite-is a homecoming of sorts. For it was in Music City that the talented young man from Texas first set off on his circuitous route to stardom.
 STAGE TUBE: Geoff Davin's 'White Beat'
November 12, 2012
Nashville actor/singer/musician Geoff Davin has released his latest music video 'White Beat,' written by the multi-talented performer himself. The star of Boiler Room Theatre's The Rocky Horror Show and Circle Players' Company, the versatile Davin surrounds himself with an all-star cast of some of Music City's favorite stage stars. For more information, go to www.GeoffDavin.com.
 BWW Reviews: Feehely's Exquisite OUTSIDE PARADISE Given World Premiere by Actors Bridge and Belmont
November 12, 2012
Thanks to the exquisitely crafted and wonderfully creative Outside Paradise, a new play written by Bill Feehely and given an opulent world premiere production from Actors Bridge Ensemble, the story of these two tragic figures is brought to life onstage.
 BWW Reviews: Trio of Leading Ladies Provide the Heart for Keeton Theatre's SWEET CHARITY
November 11, 2012
Despite terrific performances by the show's three leading ladies, The Larry Keeton Theatre's production of Sweet Charity, that 1966 musical theater oddity that spawned two of pop music's favorite showtunes-"If My Friends Could See Me Now" and "Hey, Big Spender"-lacks the polish and pizzazz expected from a theatre company known for its top-flight musical revivals.
 Photo Coverage: The First Night Robe is Presented to OUTSIDE PARADISE's Clay Steakley
November 10, 2012
Clay Steakley, who plays the role of F. Scott Fitzgerald in the Actors Bridge Ensemble's world premiere production of Bill Feehely's Outside Paradise, is the latest recipient of The First Night Robe. Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of The First Night Honors, presented the robe to Steakley on Saturday, November 10, prior to curtain of Outside Paradise at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre.
 Boiler Room Theatre Celebrates The Holiday Season With Pair of Shows
November 10, 2012
Boiler Room Theatre celebrates the upcoming holiday season with not one, but two productions sure to delight audiences-the beloved children's classic A Year With Frog and Toad and Christopher Durang's loopy comedy Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge.
 BWW Interviews: PAMM HOWARD is The Latest Actor to Tackle The Friday Five
November 8, 2012
Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com's latest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find onstage throughout the Volunteer state. This week, the spotlights focuses in on one of Nashville theater's most versatile actresses: the lovely and talented Pamm Howard.
 BWW Interviews: The Amazing Creative Capabilities of Studio Tenn's MATT LOGAN
November 8, 2012
Legend has it-as stories like this are wont to go-that Matt Logan has always been something of a genius, a wunderkind if you will, since he first found his way home to the theater. An integral part of the theater scene in Nashville, a city where creativity abounds and the imagination flourishes, Logan has made a name for himself as artistic director of Studio Tenn, the theater company he heads with managing director Jake Speck. Together, the two men have created a theater company that is widely respected by actors and audiences alike, gaining acclaim from critical types who regularly heap praise upon its productions.
 Actors Bridge Ensemble Stages World Premiere of Feehely's OUTSIDE PARADISE
November 8, 2012
Developed with the aid of a creation grant from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Outside Paradise-playwright Bill Feehely's stage treatment of the life and love of literary lions Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald-debuts at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre on November 9, running for two weekends and starring Jennifer Richmond and Clay Steakley as the sta-rcrossed lovers.
 Pulitzer-winning Composer Lang Will Be Special Guest for Nashville Opera Opening
November 4, 2012
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang will be on hand for the opening night performance of Nashville Opera's production of The Difficulty of Crossing a Field, his treatment of a fanciful Ambrose Bierce short story from 1888.
 Colin Cahill Stars In JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT At Cumberland County Playhouse
November 4, 2012
Colin Cahill stars as The Cumberland County Playhouse wraps up its 2012 season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, opening Friday, November 16 and runnng through December 23 on the Crossville theater's Mainstage.
 SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS Onstage At Cumberland County Playhouse For 15th Year
November 4, 2012
Curtain's up on Cumberland County Playhouse's 15th annual presentation of A Sanders Family Christmas-the holiday-flavored sequel to the enormously popular Smoke on the Mountain-a down-home musical filled with faith, family and old-fashioned fun and starring a cast of Playhouse favorites.
 PETER PAN Continues At Woodbury's Arts Center of Cannon County Through 11/17
November 4, 2012
Karen Lewis directs Peter Pan-based upon Sir James M. Barrie's 1904 play about the boy who refuses to grow up-is onstage in Woodbury through November 17, the latest in Arts Center of Cannon County's 2012 Stagedoor Series.
 BWW Reviews: Mason and Ashley Shine In Lipscomb Theatre's Sparkling PAJAMA GAME
November 3, 2012
The Pajama Game's abbreviated run (just four public performances in four days) means that time's a-wasting to get your tickets for the remaining two shows tonight and tomorrow afternoon. So get to it! You'll be glad you did.
 Photo Coverage: Tennessee's Theaterati Celebrate Halloween 2012
November 1, 2012
Ah, Halloween...the theaterati's favorite holiday (right after Tony Awards Day and, in Tennessee of course, First Night Day!)...gives everyone the opportunity to show off their inner characters and unknown doppelgangers. So how did Tennessee's theater types celebrate the day? Dress up with some place to go...
 YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Opens at Nashville Children's Theatre, 11/1
November 1, 2012
Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroder and the irresistible Snoopy-the whole Peanuts gang-present their familiar scenarios and foibles for Middle Tennessee families, when Nashville Children's Theatre performs You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, beginning today, November 1 and running through December 23.
 Baker and Boccitto Bring THE PAJAMA GAME to Lipscomb Theatre Stage, Now thru 11/4
November 1, 2012
Beki Baker directs and 2011 First Night Award-winning Justin Boccitto will choreograph as Lipscomb University's Department of Theatre brings the Richard Adler-Jerry Ross Tony Award-winning musical The Pajama Game to the stage of Collins Alumni Auditorium tonight, November 1-4.
 Rocketttes To Host Master Class in Nashville Sunday, November 11
October 30, 2012
Dancers in the Nashville area will have the opportunity to learn from-and to dance with-the world-famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, as they host the Rockettes Master Class, a Rockettes Experience, on Sunday, November 11, at Nashville Ballet.
 MBA Wins State One-Act Play Competition for Third Time Since 2005
October 29, 2012
For the third time since 2005, student actors from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville-along with a trio of actresses "on loan" from Harpeth Hall School-have claimed the state one-act play competition during this past weekend's Tennessee Theatre Association annual meeting in Maryville.
 Playhouse Nashville Seeks Scripts For 2012 Ten Minute Playhouse Presentations
October 28, 2012
Eager to feed Music City's growing appetite for quality original theatrical material, Playhouse Nashville is now accepting submissions for the fourth incarnation of its popular showcase for Middle Tennessee artists, The Ten Minute Playhouse-named one of The First Night Award's Top 11 Theatrical Events of 2011.
 BWW Interviews: White Orchard Theater's Irina Sundukova, A Life in the Theatre
October 28, 2012
Irina Sundukova's White Orchard Theater will finally make its Nashville debut this week with its upcoming production of Harold Pinter's The Caretaker, which examines the dynamics of modern Western Civilization and which is, the director explains, "is Pinter's landmark cultural masterpiece."
 BIRDS IN CHURCH Is Revived, After A Fashion, By Rhubarb Theater
October 28, 2012
Rhubarb Theater Company presents Birds in Church, a series of 14 vignettes written by New Yorker/former Catholic priest Joe Pintauro, selected from the playwright's larger 27-vignette collection Metropolitan Operas.
 BWW Reviews: Roxy's ROCKY HORROR SHOW May Be My Very Favorite Ever
October 27, 2012
...The best production I've seen in these here parts is the one that's currently onstage at The Roxy Regional Theatre, starring Matt Varelia as Frank N. Furter, Ryan Bowie as Riff-Raff, and Rob Rodems and Kaitlin Doughty as Brad Majors (asshole!) and Janet Weiss (slut!) that's just about as good as it gets.
 BWW Reviews: Circle Players and TSU Theatre's THE COLOR PURPLE Inspires and Enthralls
October 27, 2012
Under the clear and focused direction of Tim Larson and Clay Hillwig, who heretofore separately have provided Nashville audiences with a number of impressive theatrical adventures, this evocation of The Color Purple is made all the more appealing by its trio of leading ladies.
 The Color Purple's KELSEY PORTER Presented With The First Night Robe
October 27, 2012
Kelsey Porter, who plays the role of Nettie in Circle Players' production of The Color Purple, is the latest recipient of The First Night Robe. Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of The First Night Honors, presented the robe to Porter on Thursday, October 25, prior to the opening night performance of The Color Purple, a joint production of Circle Players and Tennessee State University, at TSU's Performing Arts Center.
 Gardner, Thomas Star in Circle Players' Collaboration with TSU on THE COLOR PURPLE, Opening 10/25
October 25, 2012
For only the second time in Circle Players' 63 year history, the venerable community theater company will join with Nashville's Tennessee State University to collaborate on the production of one of contemporary theater's most beloved works: The Color Purple. The musicalized version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple features an all-star cast of local performers from both the Nashville theater community and TSU's student body.
 STAGE TUBE: THE PAJAMA GAME from Lipscomb University Theatre
October 24, 2012
Lipscomb University Theatre presents the trailer for its upcoming production of Pajama Game. Beki Baker directs and 2011 First Night Award-winning Justin Boccitto will choreograph as Lipscomb University's Department of Theatre brings the Richard Adler-Jerry Ross Tony Award-winning musical The Pajama Game to the stage of Collins Alumni Auditorium November 1-4.
 BWW Reviews: Timeless ANYTHING GOES Is 'Musical Theater for the Ages'
October 24, 2012
If I were to die very soon, there's no doubt that I would go to heaven, because Rachel York and the all-singing/all-dancing company of Anything Goes took me and a couple of thousand other people up to the heavenly gates with their spectacular opening night performance of "Blow, Gabriel, Blow."
Baker, Boccitto Team Up To Bring THE PAJAMA GAME To The Lipscomb Theatre Stage
October 23, 2012
Beki Baker directs and 2011 First Night Award-winning Justin Boccitto will choreograph as Lipscomb University's Department of Theatre brings the Richard Adler-Jerry Ross Tony Award-winning musical The Pajama Game to the stage of Collins Alumni Auditorium November 1-4.
 BWW Interviews: Anything Goes' JEREMY BENTON Takes On The Friday Five...On a Tuesday?
October 23, 2012
Benton, who has been called "Broadway's best tap dancer," agreed to take on our legen-wait for it!-dary! Friday Five questions and we had every intention of holding the interview for a Friday morning post, but gosh darn it, we're just so excited about Anything Goes' First Night in Nashville that there's no way we could hold back this opportunity for you to get to know Tennessee's very own song-and-dance man.
 STAGE TUBE: Studio Tenn's Trailer for TWELVE ANGRY MEN
October 23, 2012
Official trailer for Twelve Angry Men, the second show of Studio Tenn's 2012-2013 season. Trailer by ANTHONYMATULA.
 STAGE TUBE: Boiler Room Theatre's ROCKY HORROR SHOW 2012 Trailer
October 23, 2012
The Rocky Horror Show is BACK on the Boiler Room Theatre stage! After last year's rave production of this cult classic, the time warp is back for you and your friends to enjoy! Six Performances Only! October 26-November 3!
 BWW Reviews: Chaffin's Barn's SPREADING IT AROUND is Less Filling, Tastes Great
October 21, 2012
Lisa Marie Wright's impeccable timing and on-target comic performance-not to mention her cantilevered breastworks-are reason enough to book your favorite table at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre for Spreading It Around, a formulaic comedy about seniors spending their kids' inheritances that actually packs in a lot of laughs while pulling a minimum of punches in its two hours onstage.
 BWW Reviews: Street Theatre Company Misfires With Anachronistic THE DESPERATE HOURS
October 21, 2012
Despite the taut direction of Ryan Williams, particularly sinister underscoring by Rollie Mains and a compelling, bravura performance by Luke Hatmaker as the ringleader of a group of prison escapees, Street Theatre Company's The Desperate Hours is a rare misfire from the company and the creative team charged with bringing it to the stage.
Gardner, Thomas Star in Circle Players' Collaboration With TSU on THE COLOR PURPLE
October 19, 2012
For only the second time in Circle Players' 63 year history, the venerable community theater company will join with Nashville's Tennessee State University to collaborate on the production of one of contemporary theater's most beloved works: The Color Purple. The musicalized version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple features an all-star cast of local performers from both the Nashville theater community and TSU's student body.
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