Alan Smith News

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY and Taylor Gilbert, Founder/Artistic Director together with Sam Anderson, Artistic Director, remain committed to their meaningful mission to produce and develop New Work for the Stage.

Since his arrival in Nashville, talented Jeffrey Williams has made quite the name for himself on local stages, winning over directors, producers, other actors, audience members and critics alike with his charm, dedication and remarkable talent. Seriously, he's got the goods and Nashville theater has claimed its fair share (most recently, he's been seen in Street Theatre Company's acclaimed staging of Chess in Concert, in which he sang the role of the spoiled American chess champion, and in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's hit revival of Pump Boys and Dinettes, in which he tap-danced, played an accordion and sang his heart out, surrounded by a cast of Tennessee Rep veterans), it would seem, and now young Mr. Williams is heading northeastward to check things out in New York City.

Since his arrival in Nashville, talented Jeffrey Williams has made quite the name for himself on local stages, winning over directors, producers, other actors, audience members and critics alike with his charm, dedication and remarkable talent. Seriously, he's got the goods and Nashville theater has claimed its fair share (most recently, he's been seen in Street Theatre Company's acclaimed staging of Chess in Concert, in which he sang the role of the spoiled American chess champion, and in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's hit revival of Pump Boys and Dinettes, in which he tap-danced, played an accordion and sang his heart out, surrounded by a cast of Tennessee Rep veterans), it would seem, and now young Mr. Williams is heading northeastward to check things out in New York City.

BREACH is a new rock musical about the most painful kind of birth: The birth of a pop star.

There is so much energy, enthusiasm and heart found in Street Theatre Company's Hairspray that it's certain to keep your spirits buoyed for a long time after leaving the theater. Brought to the stage by a competent creative team and a huge cast of committed performers, the Scott Wittman-Marc Shaiman musical - featuring a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan based on John Waters' wholly original film - Hairspray is great big fun, featuring some lovable characters and one of the most infectious musical theatre scores around.

With a trio of powerful leading performances from Ben Van Diepen, Ciaran McCarthy and Laura Matula, the Boiler Room Theatre production of Jonathan Larson's Pultizer Prize-winning Rent may well be the finest interpretation of the groundbreaking musical we've ever seen. Certainly, we've never seen a more passionate or more engaging mounting of Rent and the cast assembled by director Corbin Green deserve every accolade possible for the obviously heartfelt rendering they give Larson's work.

Boiler Room Theatre, in the historic Factory at Franklin, opens its production of Jonathan Larson's Rent on Friday night, October 1, preceded by a gala celebration at South Gate Studios from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

With a cast of 125 performers, a seven-member band, the show's running crew and a smattering of other people holding forth, the backstage scene at last Sunday night's First Night Nashville Theatre Honors was a virtual stage show in itself with all the hustle and bustle amid the hushed tones associated with the backstage area of a huge theatrical production.

As Nashville's summer theater season continues to heat up, anticipation continues to grow for September's First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, the revival of the Music City theater gala that will benefit Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and sponsored by Macy's and BroadwayWorld.com. Set for Sunday, September 19, at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre, First Night 2010 will honor eight individuals for their sustained and continued commitment to theater in Nashville.

The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's residentprofessional theatre company, continues its 10 th season with Jonathan Larson's musicalRent opening October 1, 2010 at the theatre, located in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tenn. for a run through October 31.

As Nashville's summer theater season continues to heat up, anticipation continues to grow for September's First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, the revival of the Music City theater gala that will benefit Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and sponsored by Macy's and BroadwayWorld.com. Set for Sunday, September 19, at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre, First Night 2010 will honor eight individuals for their sustained and continued commitment to theater in Nashville.

Street Theatre Company, which was forced to cancel its final two performances of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE due to the flooding in Middle Tennessee, announces that it is able to bring back the show for one additional weekend. Performances will be held, Friday, May 21st at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Proceeds from the Saturday matinee performance will go to flood victims.

Street Theatre Company, which was forced to cancel its final two performances of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE due to the flooding in Middle Tennessee, announces that it is able to bring back the show for one additional weekend. Performances will be held, Friday, May 21st at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Proceeds from the Saturday matinee performance will go to flood victims.

Street Theatre Company, which was forced to cancel its final two performances of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE due to the flooding in Middle Tennessee, announces that it is able to bring back the show for one additional weekend. Performances will be held, Friday, May 21st at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Proceeds from the Saturday matinee performance will go to flood victims.

Thanks to Street Theatre Company's stellar production of the William Finn-Rachel Sheinkin-Rebecca Feldman musical comedy, I'll be wallowing in self-pity (or maybe I'll be just a little melancholy and sanguine) until I find better ways to occupy my time and better memories to fill my mind - or a bright, shiny object catches my eye. But for now I am happy to reflect on the joyous and frivolous fun that is director Lauren Shouse's superb and sparkling staging of the musical that somehow manages to be both completely contemporary and gloriously traditional in a musical-comedy-sort-of-way. Shouse's exceptional cast of actors, accompanied by music director Rollie Mains' talented musicians and featuring the sprightly choreography of Paul Cook, are sheer perfection as The Bee's crew of over-achieving - sometimes cringeworthy, yet always lovable - middle school spelling phenoms. You'd be hard-pressed to experience a more satisfying night at the theatre.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford. Hartt offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre.

Larry Alan Smith, Professor of Composition at The Hartt School, has been named a Faculty Fellow of the Humanities Center for the 2009-2010 academic year.

The Hartt School celebrates the retirement of long-time trumpet professor Roger Murtha with a celebration concert featuring the American Brass Quintet. This celebration of Murtha's 45 year tenure at the University of Hartford will take place on Friday, October 30, at 7:30 PM, in Millard Auditorium on the University of Hartford's West Hartford campus.

Spend a day with Virgil Thomson-one of the most remarkable, influential and controversial artists in the history of contemporary American music. From his bed at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, Thomson ran the world of music as chief music critic for the Herald Tribune. The 'Father of American Music,' Thomson paved the way for his contemporaries who included Aaron Copland, Paul Bowles, Igor Stravinsky, Mark Blitzstein, Ned Rorem and Leonard Bernstein, among many others. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his score of the film Louisiana Story.

Spend a day with Virgil Thomson-one of the most remarkable, influential and controversial artists in the history of contemporary American music. From his bed at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, Thomson ran the world of music as chief music critic for the Herald Tribune. The 'Father of American Music,' Thomson paved the way for his contemporaries who included Aaron Copland, Paul Bowles, Igor Stravinsky, Mark Blitzstein, Ned Rorem and Leonard Bernstein, among many others. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his score of the film Louisiana Story.