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Jeffrey Ellis - Page 94

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:



STAGE TUBE: UNDER THE STREETLAMP heads to Nashville for TPAC Performance
STAGE TUBE: UNDER THE STREETLAMP heads to Nashville for TPAC Performance
May 3, 2012

Under the Streetlamp will bring the sounds of early rock and roll, doo wop and Motown classics to an entirely new generation, reminding the original fans why great music is timeless. The four young men who make up Under the Streetlamp will bring their acclaimed new show to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's James K. Polk Theater on Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Nashville Children's Theatre Unveils 2012-2013 Season Headlined by Steven Dietz's SHERLOCK HOLMES
Nashville Children's Theatre Unveils 2012-2013 Season Headlined by Steven Dietz's SHERLOCK HOLMES
May 3, 2012

Nashville Children's Theatre will launch its 81st season with Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure-a full-length play by Steven Dietz, one of America's top contemporary playwrights-running September 13-October 7 at the theater.

Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: KYLA LOWDER
Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: KYLA LOWDER
May 3, 2012

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 beautiful, talented and soon-to-be-graduated-from-Belmont University (not to mention 2010 First Night Most Promising Actor) Kyla Lowder, photographed by Bennett Farkas.

BWW Reviews: Wilkinson, Waller and Gary Hoff's Killer Set Highlight Tennessee Rep's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
BWW Reviews: Wilkinson, Waller and Gary Hoff's Killer Set Highlight Tennessee Rep's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
May 1, 2012

Martha Wilkinson is a force of nature-onstage, offstage, no matter where she goes, the woman is a force of nature and, throughout her career, she's taken on some of musical theater's most coveted roles proving along the way that she can do virtually anything. Now, in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's staging of Little Shop of Horrors, Wilkinson adds yet another stellar performance to her resume, playing the campy musical's offbeat heroine with the ease, grace and unerring comic timing that is her stock in trade. In short, Wilkinson's performance as Audrey, the flower shop girl with a penchant for ending up with the wrong guy, is one of the best we've seen of the role and its one that yet again establishes her as Music City's queen of musical theater.

Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: DANNY PROCTOR
Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: DANNY PROCTOR
April 30, 2012

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 handsome, talented and very busy 2011 First Night Honoree Danny Proctor, photographed by Dean Dixon.

STAGE TUBE: Bryan Schlanger from Actors Bridge Ensemble's Upcoming TIME STANDS STILL
STAGE TUBE: Bryan Schlanger from Actors Bridge Ensemble's Upcoming TIME STANDS STILL
April 30, 2012

Gina D'Arco interviews Nashville actor Bryan Schlanger about the process of bringing Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still to the stage under the direction of Kim Bretton.

RAIN's Joey Curatolo On The Appeal of The Beatles and The Soundtrack of Our Lives
RAIN's Joey Curatolo On The Appeal of The Beatles and The Soundtrack of Our Lives
April 30, 2012

Now known as the ersatz Paul McCartney in Rain, Curatolo grew up in a Brooklyn household where classical music and opera were more the norm. But a natural musician-at ten, young Joey taught himself how to play the guitar, playing the piano by ear at 16-Curatolo became infatuated with The Beatles, ultimately winning several Paul McCartney sound-alike contests, even touring with Beatlemania.

Auditions for 2012-13 SIDESHOW Ensemble Set for May 19
Auditions for 2012-13 SIDESHOW Ensemble Set for May 19
April 30, 2012

The Sideshow Ensemble at Actors Bridge provides a year-long training immersion opportunity for disciplined, dedicated artists seeking to take their development to the next level. Nashville artists will be selected by a panel of Actors Bridge ensemble members and current Sideshow artists for their cross-disciplinary skills, potential for growth, commitment to ensemble principles, and dedication to the longevity of Actors Bridge.

Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: AMELIA YOUNG
Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: AMELIA YOUNG
April 29, 2012

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 beautiful and talented Amelia Young, photographed by Heath Chitwood.

Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: DARON BRUCE
Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: DARON BRUCE
April 29, 2012

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 handsome and talented Daron Bruce, photographed by Rick Malkin.

Kim Bretton Directs Nashville Premiere of Donald Margulies' TIME STANDS STILL
Kim Bretton Directs Nashville Premiere of Donald Margulies' TIME STANDS STILL
April 28, 2012

Kim Bretton directs the Nashville premiere of Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still, presented by Actors Bridge Ensemble at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre, May 11-20. Her cast includes Actors Bridge cofounders Vali Forrister and Bill Feehely, together onstage again for the first time in several years. They are joined in the four-character piece by Jillian Gottlieb and Bryan Schlanger.

BWW Reviews: Sansone and Stuart Lay Claim to Ownership of Nashville Ballet's RITE OF SPRING
BWW Reviews: Sansone and Stuart Lay Claim to Ownership of Nashville Ballet's RITE OF SPRING
April 28, 2012

Inspired by the original work choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky and performed to the glorious music composed by Igor Stravinsky for the original Ballets Russes production, Nashville Ballet's rendition of Rite of Spring further underscores the company's artistic range and the depth of artistic director Paul Vasterling's bench, which is exemplified by Kayla Rowser and Jon Upleger in his thrilling, stirring Firebird that opens the evening's twin-bill of ballets.

Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: KATHERINE SANDOVAL TAYLOR
Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: KATHERINE SANDOVAL TAYLOR
April 28, 2012

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 beautiful and talented Katherine Sandoval Taylor, photographed by Gregory Byerline.

STAGE TUBE: ART ISN'T EASY Benefit Cabaret at Cumberland County Playhouse
STAGE TUBE: ART ISN'T EASY Benefit Cabaret at Cumberland County Playhouse
April 27, 2012

Weslie Webster and Ron Murphy will combine efforts once again to bring a special benefit cabaret for the Shanks Center for the Arts-Art Isn't Easy, set for Saturday, April 28-featuring some of Cumberland County Playhouse's finest performers for an evening of music, dance and more. Art Isn't Easy: A Celebration of the Joys and Challenges of the Creative Life (the cabaret's title is taken from a lyric in the score of Stephen Sondheim's 1983 musical Sunday in the Park With George) will feature such Playhouse favorites Daniel Black, Lauren Marshall Murphy, Leila Nelson, Lindy Pendzick, Greg Pendzick, Austin Price, Michael Ruff and more.

STAGE TUBE: Art Isn't Easy Cabaret at Cumberland County Playhouse 4/28
STAGE TUBE: Art Isn't Easy Cabaret at Cumberland County Playhouse 4/28
April 28, 2012

Weslie Webster and Ron Murphy will combine efforts once again to bring a special benefit cabaret for the Shanks Center for the Arts-Art Isn't Easy, set for Saturday, April 28-featuring some of Cumberland County Playhouse's finest performers for an evening of music, dance and more. Art Isn't Easy: A Celebration of the Joys and Challenges of the Creative Life (the cabaret's title is taken from a lyric in the score of Stephen Sondheim's 1983 musical Sunday in the Park With George) will feature such Playhouse favorites Daniel Black, Lauren Marshall Murphy, Leila Nelson, Lindy Pendzick, Greg Pendzick, Austin Price, Michael Ruff and more.

ART ISN'T EASY Benefit Cabaret Features Playhouse Favorites Singing for The Shanks Center for the Arts 4/28
April 28, 2012

Weslie Webster and Ron Murphy combine efforts once again to bring a special benefit cabaret for the Shanks Center for the Arts-Art Isn't Easy, set for tonight, April 28-featuring some of Cumberland County Playhouse's finest performers for an evening of music, dance and more.

Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: WILL SNYDER
Hey, Jef, Here's My Headshot: WILL SNYDER
April 27, 2012

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 handsome and talented Will Snyder, photographed by Robert Hazelette.

TWTP's Women's Work 2012 Festival to Open With WITNESS By Regina Taylor
TWTP's Women's Work 2012 Festival to Open With WITNESS By Regina Taylor
April 26, 2012

The first public reading of a new play by noted actress/playwright Regina Taylor-the first play ever to be commissioned by Tennessee Women's Theater Project-highlights the company's sixth annual Women's Work Showcase, a three-week celebration of the arts.

Dance Theatre of Tennessee's COPPELIA to Pay Tribute to Memory of Nashville Theater's Lee Green
Dance Theatre of Tennessee's COPPELIA to Pay Tribute to Memory of Nashville Theater's Lee Green
April 26, 2012

Coppelia is being presented as a special tribute to Royce Flavel "Lee" Green (1946-1997), as a special tribute to honor his memory by his lifelong friends in the Nashville theater and dance communities. During the 1970s to the 1990s, Green was a driving force in Nashville and Middle Tennessee theater, directing and acting in a variety of memorable shows for companies like Theatre Nashville, Circle Players and the St. Augustine Players.

Nate Eppler-helmed HERE LIES JEREMY TROY Takes The Chaffin's Barn Stage 4/26-5/24
Nate Eppler-helmed HERE LIES JEREMY TROY Takes The Chaffin's Barn Stage 4/26-5/24
April 26, 2012

Directed by Nate Eppler, Here Lies Jeremy Troy stars Rebekah Durham, Andy Kanies, Jennifer Richmond, Will Sevier and Lane Wright. Eppler, in addition to acting and directing, is a playwright and teaching artist based in Nashville. His plays include Keeping Up With the Joneses, The Shorty Hawkins Play, Modern Love and Long Way Down. Eppler is the recipient of both the Tennessee Arts Commission Professional Development Support Grant and the Individual Artist Fellowship. He is playwright-in-residence for Tennessee Repertory Theatre.



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