Onstage at the Barn 50: Memories from the First Half-Century with Michael Edwards

It's been 50 years now since Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, the venerable venue that has mounted some of the best theater Nashville audiences have seen, first burst upon the scene as the professional dinner theater in Tennessee's state capital. Now, with the eminent retirement of Janie and John Chaffin and the theater's launch of its next half-century under the ownership of Norma Luther, we are recalling some fond Barn memories from a coterie of artists who've called the iconic venue home.

In recognition of The Barn's 45 years of bringing the magic of live theater to the stage, we debuted a special series in 2012, called Onstage at The Barn: Memories from The First 45 Years, including this interview with actor Michael Edwards, who made his debut at The Barn in the 1970, continuing to work there until 1990. For many people from that era, Mike Edwards was-and still is, in so many ways-the face of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, the actor most recognizable for the long list of roles he played there.

Founded by A. W. and Puny Chaffin, Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre-now owned by Janie and John Chaffin, the second generation of the theatrical family, who were recently recognized among the city's most successful entrepreneurs-The Barn has offered every one of its audiences exciting, top-quality, professional theatre and a mouth-watering buffet that groans with Southern delicacies. In fact, when you talk to people about their memories of The Barn, they're just as likely to mention peanut butter pie or corn pudding as they are to recall Michael Edwards or Martha Wilkinson.

Since 1967, Chaffin's Barn has provided employment to some of the best actors to be found on stages anywhere, launching careers for actors who have gained critical and audience acclaim all over the country. And during that time, Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre has been hailed as one of the Top 25 tourist attractions in Nashville, "Best Buffet" and "Best Place to See a Play" in The Tennessean's annual Toast of Music City contest and in Nashville Scene's "Best of" as one of the top three "Best Places to See a Play." In addition, Chaffin's Barn was the recipient of The First Night Lifetime Achievement Award and its shows, directors, choreographers and actors have taken home multiple First Night honors over the years.

Today, Edwards-who is based in Orlando, Florida, and who has continued to act in theaters all over the USA since leaving Nashville-shares his reminiscences about life at The Barn, giving readers some historical perspective on the legendary theater company...

What was your first show at The Barn? Well. I did my first show for A.W. and Puny Chaffin in 1970. It was The Girls in 509. Twenty years later,I received a silver ice bucket engraved " 20 years of laughter at The Barn." I consider my time at the Barn and with PAPI, the Production Company, a master class in discipline, diplomacy and solid theatre. I loved my time at the Barn as actor and director and met some remarkable performers, directors and musicians.

You have to have thousands of funny stories, but what the funniest moment that stands out in your mind? In a production of The Odd Couple, I made an exit, was called back on, made a running entrance down aisle three, leaped a chair for a-"What?"-one one night I missed the leap and made a flying flop on the stage to gales of laughter and one audience member yelled "Michael, try it again!" I said, "okay," reset the chair, told Felix (Taylor Pope Lawrence) to take it back...exited...said "GO!"...he yelled, I ran down and made a perfect leap over the chair for "What?" The applause and laughter was long and appreciative. If you let the audience in on a mistake, they are on your side for the evening.

What kind of relationship did you have with audiences? We had many audience moments, and they were a giving but sometimes unforgiving energy. It was a lesson and a course in "make it work."

Any specific "scary" moments that remain vivid in your memory? Power failures; the descending stage not descending-or ascending; drunks; late entrances; and a remarkable number of loving opening and closing nights.

What about memorable plays and actors? The list of plays is too long, but the actors who paid their time at the Barn, are now some of Nashville's finest....I'm proud to be part of that history.

Okay, so what food from the buffet can still make your mouth water? My favorite buffet item was the banana pudding and the New Yea'rs Eve breakfasts: eggs, bacon, cheese grits and homemade biscuits...wow! Happy New Year!

Editor's Note: On Monday, January 16, Janie and John Chaffin will be feted with a special retirement party, featuring memories, music and tributes from their admirers and fans, at the theater which will continue to operate under the Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre name.

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