'Irreverent and Fun' Midwinter's First Night Set for 1/11/15

It's back and it's this Sunday, January 11: Midwinter's First Night, aka The First Night Honors' misbehavin' younger sibling, will feature fun, frivolities, special performances, food and drinks, the presentation of The BWW Nashville Awards and, of course, the awarding of First Night's Best of 2014 honors. Sly, irreverent and slightly decadent, Midwinter's First Night will be held at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, Nashville's iconic theatrical venue since 1964.

Jeffrey Ellis, First Night founder and executive producer (who covers theater, opera and dance for BroadwayWorld.com), will host the event, which is back to entertain theaterati after a one-year respite. Sunday night's show starts at 6 p.m. (CST).

"We hope everyone will join us for all the fun and frivolity of Midwinter's First Night," Ellis says. "Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's cash bar will be open to help lubricate the festivities."

"For a point of reference, Midwinter's First Night is more like the Golden Globe Awards as compared to the Kennedy Center Honors/Tony Awards vibe of The First Night Honors," explains Ellis.

In addition to the awards and other slightly irreverent presenations, Midwinter's First Night will feature some of the region's most talented actor/singer/dancers as we crown the first "Miss 'Cathy from The Last Five Years'" during our competition that will feature the contestants in evening wear, talent and the all-important onstage interview segment, complete with a panel of judges. And an emcee with a gong at his disposal.

Among contestants entered at press time are Delaney Amatrudo, Kaila Brooke, Emily Faith, Abigail Davis Haggard, Rachel Beth Jackson, Jenna Pryor and Memory Strong. Micah Snow, who made his debut at the 2014 First Night Honors, will accompany the women as they attempt to wow their audience with renditions of "Still Hurting."

"There's been this Facebook survey thing of late in which people are asked to list their five most-desired roles and it seems as if every woman (and more than a few men) claimed Cathy from The Last Five Years among their dream parts," Ellis explains. "What could possibly be better than an ersatz beauty pageant to give these ridiculously talented women a chance to strut their stuff while singing a song from the Jason Robert Brown musical?"

"There will be a cash bar available and chances are you'll find out when the hell my production of Picnic will be presented and where it will be staged (here's hoping!), along with our typical insults and injuries hurled toward the people who aren't there," Ellis says. "What could possibly be more fun?"

Tickets are $12 in advance/$15 at the door. Call (615) 300-2513 for reservations (payable by debit/credit card)...at the door, cash is the word. Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre is located at 8204 Highway 100 in Nashville.

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