Jeffrey Ellis - Page 147

Seeking 'to provide an artistic outlet to Nashville and surrounding cities, as well as to provide a platform for actors, directors, producers, writers and theatre enthusiasts to network and learn,' the fourth annual Shades of Black Theatre Festival begins Monday night, August 24, with an opening mixer to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. (CDT) at Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville.

Since returning to the world of theatre via BroadwayWorld.com about a month ago, after an almost seven year absence, I've had the invaluable opportunity of reconnecting with a number of old acquaintances and renewing long-dormant friendships and relationships with people connected to the theatre scene in Nashville and throughout Tennesseee.

Lebanon's Millworks Theatre today unveils its first production for a run that continues through September 26. The curtain goes up at 1:30 p.m. (CDT) on That's Country!, a two-hour variety revue that managing director Kevin Raymond says 'is a must if you're a country music fan-or even if you're not!'

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's historic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar bows at Boiler Room Theatre Friday night, August 21, continuing through September 19 at the Franklin theatre. Directed by Jamey Green, with choreography by Billy Ditty, Jesus Christ Superstar is widely regarded as the first rock opera, originally created as a concept album at the end of the '60s.

If you ever needed any evidence that musical theatre is alive and well in Music City USA, you need look no further than Nashville Dinner Theatre's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which this weekend wraps up its run at the Senior Center for the Arts. It is superbly acted, beautifully sung and confidently staged. It remains a compelling piece of theatre, as moving as any I've ever seen.

Tennessee Players will present a theatrical tribute to Albert Schweitzer and composer Johann Sebastian Bach during the weekend of August 28 and 29.

The bestselling memoir of Melba Patillo Beals, one of nine African American students chosen in 1957 to integrate Little Rock's Central High School, provides the basis for Warriors Don't Cry, the season-opening production of Tennessee Women's Theatre Project's 2009-10 season.

Take one of east Nashville's hottest hot spots, mix in a couple hundred theatre enthusiasts, add a dollop of Vegas-style entertainment and a whole slew of gaming tables and you have the second annual fundraiser for Street Theatre Company: It's Vegas, Baby! Held Thursday, August 13, at Limelight, 201 Woodland Street, just across from LP Field, the event attracted a large sampling of Nashville's theatre community and socialites.

Due to the prompt action of Metro Nashville officials, Circle Players will be able to stage its final three performances of Fame, the Musical this weekend at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre.

Single tickets for the upcoming works included in Nashville Ballet's 2009-2010 season will go on sale Monday, September 7.

Michael Kaiser, president of the Kennedy Center, will be the featured speaker Thursday as the Metro Nashville Arts Commission hosts Arts In Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative at Nashville Children's Theatre.

Due to the prompt action of Metro Nashville officials, Circle Players will be able to stage its final three performances of Fame, the Musical this weekend at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre.

History tells us that London was caught up in some sort of Japanese fervor in 1885 when Gilbert and Sullivan debuted their newest comic opera, The Mikado or The Town of Titipu at the Savoy Theatre. And now, 124 years later, Nashville theatre-goers may find themselves in a similar state, thanks to a superior production of the entertaining work, which bows as the first show in the 20th anniversary season from ACT 1, one of Tennessee's best community theatre groups.

Perhaps the most remarkable element of Circle Players' Fame, the Musical is its talented cast--an amazing amalgam of age-appropriate actors assaying the roles in this now-iconic tale of the last four years of New York's High School of Performing Arts. Credit director Tim Larson's casting abilities for this feat which, combined with strong production values, inventive staging and laudable choreography by Kate Adams-Johnson, makes the show an excellent choice to open Circle's 60th anniversary season.

Cookeville Drama Center will play host to the Tennessee Theatre Association's Conference 2009, which will feature the TTA Secondary School One-Act Play Festival and the Community Theatres' State Festival, October 23-26.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival's 22nd annual Shakespeare in the Park-featuring two productions this year--runs August 13-September 13 in Nashville's historic Centennial Park, including a special show on Labor Day Monday.

East Nashville's Limelight will be transformed with some Vegas-style magic on Thursday, August 13, as Street Theatre Company hosts its second annual fundraiser, It's Vegas, Baby!

The world premiere of a new musical is always cause for excitement, whether the stage is on Broadway or in Nashville, and it was with great anticipation that we approached Call Me Home

Stage and television actor Lane Davies will star as Professor Henry Higgins in Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady, the season opening production of Smyrna's Lamplighters Theatre.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre kicked off its 25th anniversary season celebration Wednesday night with Nashville Scenes, a look ahead to the company's upcoming season, held at The Acorn restaurant and co-sponsored by the Nashville Scene.