Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 35 years. In 1989, Ellis and his partner launched Dare, Tennessee's Lesbian and Gay Newsweekly which later became known as Query. Ellis is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theater 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 - the history of which can be traced to 1989 and the first presentation of The First Night Awards - which honor outstanding theater artisans from Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and also includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors recognition. Midwinter's First Night honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. An accomplished director, Ellis helmed productions of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, all in their Nashville premieres, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show. Ellis was recognized by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror. Since 2015, Ellis has been increasingly in demand as a director by a variety of Tennessee theater companies and he has helmed productions of Picnic (Circle Players), The Last Five Years (VWA Theatricals), The Miss Firecracker Contest, Cabaret, My Fair Lady, Daddy's Dyin'...Who's Got the Will?, South Pacific, Winter Wonderettes and The Wizard of Oz (The Larry Keeton Theatre), The Little Foxes (ACT 1), The Boys in the Band (Jeffey Ellis Presents), Singin' in the Rain (Arts Center of Cannon County) and The Secret Garden (Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro) and, in 2020, the 70th anniversary season production of La Cage Aux Folles for Circle Players. Later this year, he will be directing Beautiful: The Carole King Musical for Center for the Arts.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Jeffrey Ellis
First Show:
EVITA, starring Patti LuPoneFavorite Stories:
- Tony Award-Winning Revival of Rodgers and HAMMERSTEIN’s Oklahoma Plays Nashville This Week - I loved writing this review of one of the seminal titles in the history of musical theater in America, and it has proven to be one of the most polarizing pieces I’ve ever written.
- Nashville’s ‘Own’ Kristin Chenoweth Sings Her Way into the Hearts of All Her Fans - This review of a 2012 Concert in Nashville — which KC now calls home — resulted in a phone call from her thanking me! I was thrilled, of course, and we subsequently have shared some great conversations during interviews.
- Tony Award-winning GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY review - Because it’s my most recent one, that’s why!
- Oh, Brother! MAY WE ALL: A NEW COUNTRY MUSICAL Cast and Characters Deserve a New Book - Within minutes of going live, I received a call from the writers of this new musical, with its sights on Broadway, who thanked me for writing the truth about the show.
9 to 5: The Musical to Launch National Tour in Nashville
July 29, 2009
July 29, 2009
In a historic move for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, 9 to 5: The Musical will open its national tour in Nashville in September, 2010, it was announced Wednesday.
'There Goes the Bride' at Chaffin's Barn
July 29, 2009
July 29, 2009
When you go to a show at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, there are certain things you can always expect to find: a bountiful and tasty buffet, a warm welcome, attentive audiences and some of the best actors you're likely to find in Nashville.
Tennessee Rep Launches 25th Anniversary Season with 'Nashville Scenes' 7/29
July 29, 2009
July 29, 2009
Tennessee Repertory Theatre will launch its 25th anniversary celebration with Nashville Scenes on Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.(CDT) at The Acorn restaurant, 114 28th Avenue North.
'Dead Man's Cell Phone' from Actors' Bridge
July 26, 2009
July 26, 2009
To suggest that playwright Sarah Ruhl is obsessed with death and dying might be too much of a stretch, but it's clear that she has a rather unique view of the subject. Her earlier works, The Clean House, Eurydice and Passion Play, a Cycle, all focus on death and dying and the accompanying rituals, and in Dead Man's Cell Phone, she returns to that fertile ground once again-with satisfying results.
Nashville Ballet's New Season To Open With 'Giselle'
July 22, 2009
July 22, 2009
Giselle, one of the world's most beloved ballets for the past 150 years, will open the 2009-2010 season for the critically acclaimed Nashville Ballet, October 23-25, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theatre.
New in Nashville: Five Shows Opening This Weekend
July 21, 2009
July 21, 2009
July continues to be a busy month for Nashville-area theatre companies as five new productions are slated to open by week's end, including the world premiere of a new musical, the Nashville premiere of a new comedy by Sarah Ruhl and a production of Fame, the Musical, from Middle Tennessee's oldest community theatre organization.
'Parallel Lives' at Street Theatre Company
July 19, 2009
July 19, 2009
The two act play offers a vivid glimpse into the lives of a whole slew of characters-both female and male-and their unique, individual takes on society, sex, gender roles, changing mores, religion and political posturing are presented in a vastly entertaining fashion.
'Picasso at the Lapin Agile' at Boiler Room
July 18, 2009
July 18, 2009
You have to hand it to the creative minds at Boiler Room Theatre: year after year they mount seasons filled with ambitious offerings, they attract some of the most talented actors, directors and theatre technicians to be found and, most compellingly, they draw loyal, involved audiences
Tennessee Rep Launches 25th Anniversary Season with 'Nashville Scenes' 7/29
July 15, 2009
July 15, 2009
Tennessee Repertory Theatre will launch its 25th anniversary celebration with Nashville Scenes on Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.(CDT) at The Acorn restaurant, 114 28th Avenue North.
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