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Jeffrey Ellis - Page 76

Jeffrey Ellis

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 LuPone

Favorite Stories:



BWW Reviews: Newman, Candilora Give Stunning Performances in Keeton Theatre's GYPSY
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

Butler, Ravelette Reunite for ACT 1's Production of BROADWAY BOUND, Now thru 1/26
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.

Clarksville's Roxy Theatre Opens 11th Year of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES  Tonight
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.

Photo Coverage: Midwinter's First Night 1/6/13
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
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
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
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
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.

Clarksville's Roxy Theatre Presents 11th Year of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
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.



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