Jeffrey Ellis - Page 90

There comes a moment late in Act Two when Tevye, the beleaguered dairyman at the center of Fiddler on the Roof, remembers his daughters in childhood and laments the loss of his beloved "Chavaleh" to marriage to a gentile, which completely encapsulates the joy and the sadness that permeates this classic work of the musical theater. Derek Whittaker, playing the role of a lifetime as he leads the cast of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's new production of the Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick/Joseph Stein musical, is at his best in this scene, artfully blending his finely honed comic sensibilities with a genuine pathos that creates a heart-tugging moment that is genuinely effective.

With a cast led by Broadway veterans Jessica Grove (who ideally captures the spirit and charm of Maria in her thoroughly captivating performance) and Ben Davis (tall and commanding as the naval captain torn by conflicting loyalties and social upheaval), Logan presents The Sound of Music you would expect from him, although in no way can you call it predictable or expected. To the contrary, Logan excels at delivering the unexpected and while The Sound of Music is probably the one show you would expect to be played out in the traditional, often-seen manner you've encountered in numerous other productions, he manages to surprise and delight you with his vision, his concept and his daring.

Today's spotlight falls upon Emily Webb, who opened last night as Sister Sophia in Studio Tenn's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music at The Franklin Theatre, where it runs through June 17. Find out more about Emily (who has been working as a session singer in Nashville since the very young age of 12!) as she tackles today's Friday Five and learn what makes this busy mom/career woman/actress tick…

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look damn good? We're gonna tell ya…Today's actor/subject/model is the handsome and talented Patrick Kramer.

Bye Bye Birdie-conjuring up memories of Elvis Presley and the fan fervor that greeted a lot of musical acts in the 1950s and '60s-takes center stage at Dickson's Renaissance Center in June as the Renaissance Players present the musical theater classic tonight, June 1 through June 17.

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look damn good? We're gonna tell ya…Today's actor/subject/model is the handsome, busy and talented John Silvestro, photographed at the Tennessee Rep Headshot event.

Nine-time First Night Award-winner Martha Wilkinson directs Derek Whittaker, Debbie Kraski and a cast of Nashville's stage favorites in the Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof, opening tonight, May 31, and running through July 8 at the theater in West Nashville.

Real-life acting spouses Lindy and Greg Pendzick play a fictional romantic couple in Arlene Hutton's See Rock City, described as "a tender, moving play" that opens at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse tonight, May 31.

Broadway veterans Jessica Grove and Ben Davis will star as Maria Rainer and Captain Georg Von Trapp in Studio Tenn Theatre Company's upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, playing at the historic Franklin Theatre tonight, May 31 through June 17.

Looking for a way to express your creativity in a fresh and contemporary theatrical setting? Nashville's Sideshow Fringe, Actor's Bridge Ensemble's foray into that arena, is looking for artists to take part in this summer's Sideshow Fringe Festival-the group's second outing, following their wildly successful 2011 event.

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look damn good? We're gonna tell ya…Today's actor/subject/model is the beautiful, busy and talented Emma Jordan, photographed by Aly Hilgefort.

The Boys in the Band-Mart Crowley's trenchant comedy about the gay community, circa 1968-is revived at Murfreesboro's Out Front on Main Inc. as part of the celebration of Pride Month in the university town, running June 7-17 at the theater, located at 1511 E. Main Street. D. Richard Browder directs-and does double-duty, playing Bernard-the play which is presented Thursday through Sunday evenings, with a 7:30 p.m. curtain nightly. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

Arts Center of Cannon County presents the classic comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace-directed by Matt Smith-at the theater in Woodbury, running June 1-16 and featuring Faye Northcutt-Knox and Becky Coutras as the felonious senior citizens who murder lonely old men by offering them elderberry wine laced with arsenic.

In fact, in the retrospect afforded me by twelve hours, I have to admit that the production's most revelatory performance is delivered by Mike Baum, as the long-suffering and beleaguered Dan Goodman, Diana's stalwart and steadfast husband. That doesn't mean Chambers' performance is anything less than the spectacular onstage turn that it is-but, truth be told, it was expected from her. When word of her casting became publicly known, it is safe to say that 99% of the theater-going public (and actors themselves) agreed that Chambers' casting was indeed perfect. And she delivers exactly what we all hoped for, showing off the versatility, the confidence and the presence that has long identified her as one of the very best to be found onstage.

Nine-time First Night Award-winner Martha Wilkinson directs Derek Whittaker, Debbie Kraski and a cast of Nashville's stage favorites in the Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre production of Fiddler on the Roof, opening Thursday, May 31, and running through July 8 at the theater in West Nashville.

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look damn good? We're gonna tell ya…Today's actor/subject/model is the handsome and talented Matthew Hayes Hunter, photographed by Elizabeth Fletcher.

Today, the spotlight falls upon Travis Kendrick, who continues his run as one of the go-to guys at Clarksville's Roxy Regional Theatre in The Wedding Singer, opening tonight. Coming up for Travis is the role of Chachi in Happy Days, which will close the company's 2011-2012 season. Not only an actor, Travis is also a certified yoga instructor, teaching classes around Clarksville and at the Roxy, and he's choreographer of note, having choreographed Just Another High School Musical at Clarksville's Northeast High School, Gallantry for Austin Peay State University Opera and he'll be doing a number for The Roxy's 101 Dalmatians the Musical later this year.

Who's who in Tennessee theater? Sometimes, without a program in your hand, it's difficult to know who's playing whom-hence, our newest feature: Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot...featuring some of the Volunteer State's best-known-or soon-to-be-known all over the freakin' world-thespians. And have you ever wondered who the amazing photographers are who make them look so damn good? We're gonna tell ya…Today's actor/subject/model is the lovely and talented Quinn Alexis, photographed by Maria Peterson.

Barter Theatre promises that a craving for a good, family-centered Southern comedy will be satisfied-even if you leave the theatre hankering for a certain baked confection-in the upcoming production of The Red Velvet Cake War, running May 31-August 18 at Barter Theatre Main Stage.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago. They are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today.