SAVE THE DATE: Nashville Theater Calendar for November 26, 2018

Here's hoping you had a splendid Thanksgiving holiday weekend and that you're settling in for another action-packed season of events and shows to make Christmas 2018 sparkle even more! Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for November 26, 2018, to help you plot your course through the end of the year...

Through December 1 TPS 2018 Reading Festival, presented by Tennessee Playwrights Studio at Darkhorse Theatre Chapel, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville. The festival showcases early drafts of plays that were developed through the Studio's monthly workshops and read by Nashville actors. Playwrights were selected via a competitive application process early in 2018. The public readings of these works-in-progress, read and directed by Nashville and Chattanooga-based artists, are free. A panel of theatre professionals will lead post-performance discussions and audience input will be solicited to assist playwrights as they continue to develop their scripts.

Tuesday, November 27 7:30 p.m. Black and Blue (Or The Man in the Pantry) by Matt Garner. Directed by Beki Baker Cast: Chip Arnold, Karen Sternberg, David Ian Lee, Ethan Jones, Brian Russell, Beki Baker. Everyone and everything is abandoning Tom...that is to say...everyone except the man in the pantry.

Thursday, November 29 7:30 p.m. NEC COMPUNCTI by Louis Johnson. Directed by Shawn Whitsell. Cast: Patriq James, Robert Chambers, Gabe Atchley, Howard Snyder, Leonard Ledford III, Jalen Dukes, Lexi Nimmo, Kalee Smyth. This is NOT a play about the wrongfully convicted! That bastard's guilty as sin! As Josiah "Big Joe" Morgan spends his final days on death row, his previous life outside his tiny cell snaps into sharp focus. How did he get there, and can he deny the seemingly inevitable?

Friday, November 30 7:30 p.m. The Odd Evangelical by Gaye Jeffers. Directed by Blake Harris. Cast: Anne Swedberg, Grace Holtz, Kaleb Moran, Terrance Wright, Maggie McNulty, Autumn Hemmelgarn. A dark comedy about faith, politics, and marriage, The Odd Evangelical is shocking and hilarious. Lynn, an Evangelical church admin, meets a former crime reporter, Mary Greed, who challenges her ideas about faith and the function of the church. Through a long sleepless night, Lynn and her husband, Gardner, are visited by visions of Blessed and Reason in a weird game of dodgeball as questions of God and country, fear and safety are addressed between bites of Little Debbie cakes and surprise visitors from the past.

Saturday, December 1 7:30 p.m. Fan Me with a Brick by Kenley Smith. Directed by Alicia Haymer. Cast: Miranda Pepin, Alicia Haymer, Nikki Staggs, Carmen Ridley, Ang Madeline-Johnson, Christopher Bosen, LaTia Lewis, Eric Bulter, Brianna Booker, Shawn Whitsell, Ethan Jones, Beth Henderson. When Victoria sets out to learn more of her family's history, she opens a portal to a past full of loss, pain and indomitable perseverance. Her mother reluctantly joins her, and the two women uncover old wounds - a scandalous affair in segregated Virginia, a stolen child, a lost parent, a horrific accident - that linger unhealed in the present. The play is based on actual events. Original research by Yalewa Sparrowhawk.

Through December 22 Holiday Inn, presented by Cumberland County Playhouse, Crossville. Opening our Christmas season on the Mainstage is a new smash hit Broadway musical - Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. Based on the classic film with music and lyrics by Irvin Berlin, Holiday Inn is a whole year of holidays in one wonderful musical! It features thrilling dance numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a parade of Berlin hits including "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," "Heat Wave," "White Christmas," "Cheek to Cheek",and many more! Jim has left showbiz behind to settle down on his Connecticut farm...but life just isn't the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim's luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. But when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda away to Hollywood, will Jim be able to salvage his latest chance at love? Don't miss this heartwarming, high energy, tap dancing extravaganza! For more information, go to www.ccplayhouse.com or call (931) 484-5000 for tickets.

Read Jeffrey Ellis' review of Holiday Inn: /nashville/article/BWW-Review-IRVING-BERLINS-HOLIDAY-INN-Kicks-Off-The-Holiday-Season-With-Style-at-Cumberland-County-Playhouse-20181104

Through December 22 Miracle on 34th Street, presented by Roxy Regional Theatre, Clarksville. Ryan Bowie directs Brian Best (in the iconic role of Kris Kringle), Stephen Shore, Mia Bergstrom and Ellie Thomas in Meredith Willson's stage musicalization of the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street, the story of a Macy's Santa Claus who maintains he is the real deal during an action-packed shopping season at Manhattan's biggest department store. For tickets and details, go to www.roxyregionaltheatre.org or call (931) 645-7699.

Through December 22 A Christmas Story, presented by Nashville Repertory Theatre at TPAC's Andrew Johnson Theatre. Nashville Rep will pack away its sets and costumes for their annual holiday season offering of the play based upon the hit film after a decade-long run. For more information, go to www.nashvillerep.org.

Through December 23 A Sanders Family Christmas, presented by Cumberland County Playhouse, Crossville. THE FINAL SEASON: Celebrate and rejoice with the Sanders family one last time in this heartwarming sequel to Connie Ray and Alan Bailey's wildly successful bluegrass gospel musical Smoke on the Mountain! It's December 24, 1941, and America is going to war. So is Dennis Sanders of the Sanders Family Singers. Join Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe and the spirit filled Sanders Family as they send Dennis off with hilarious and touching stories and twenty-five Southern Gospel Christmas favorites.

Through December 23 Disney's The Little Mermaid, presented by Nashville Children's Theatre, 25 Middleton Street, Nashville. Ernie Nolan directs and choreographs, with musical direction by David Weinstein. Catherine Birdsong stars as Ariel, with Corbin Williams as Prince Eric and Galen Fott as Triton. Other cast members include Piper Jones, James Rudolph, Isaac Brotzman, Jonah M. Jackson, Darci Wantiez, among others. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from November 9-December 23. (No performance on Sunday, November 11.)

Read Jeffrey Ellis' review of The Little Mermaid: /nashville/article/BWW-Review-Nashville-Childrens-Theatres-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-is-Utterly-Delightful-20181109

Through December 29 Elf, presented by Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, 8204 Highway 100, Nashville. Directed by Martha Wilkinson and starring Chase Miller. For more information, go to www.ChaffinsBarnTheatre.com or call (615) 646-9977.

Read Jeffrey Ellis' review of Elf, the Musical: /nashville/article/BWW-Review-Chase-Millers-Star-Burns-Bright-in-Chaffins-Barns-ELF-THE-MUSICAL-20181116

Through December 29 The Game Show Show, presented by Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, 8204 Highway 100, Nashville. For more information, go to www.ChaffinsBarnTheatre.com or call (615) 646-9977.

November 29-December 8 Mary Poppins, presented by Audience of One Productions at The Capitol Theatre, Lebanon. Mary Poppins is the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Tree Lane. Things are not going well for the family, the children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents-and, in particular, Mr. Banks-are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she's the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "anything can happen if you let it." Tickets: http://prod1.agileticketing.net/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=164148~c27b6327-1c15-4c85-84f1-e763f23c38a2&epguid=194fd3f0-e86f-4164-85ad-c27cc81b985e&

November 29-December 15 A Tuna Christmas, presented by The Renaissance Players at the Gaslight Dinner Theatre, Dickson. - November 29-December 15. Brett Myers and Bryce Conner will star in this hilarious sequel to Greater Tuna. It's Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest. In other news, voracious Joe Bob Lipsey's production of "A Christmas Carol" is jeopardized by unpaid electric bills. Many colorful Tuna denizens, some you will recognize from Greater Tuna and some appearing here for the first time, join in the holiday fun! Matinees - Doors open at 11:30 a.m. - Lunch is served at 12 noon; Dinner - Doors open at 6 p.m. - Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Food will be provided by Dickson's own Front Porch. Tickets can be purchased at www.renplayers.com, or by calling (615) 593-5520.

November 29-December 16 A Christmas Carol, the Musical, presented by The Larry Keeton Theatre, 108 Donelson Pike, Nashville. For more information, go to www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org; for reservations, call (615) 883-8375.

November 30-December 8 The Wolves, presented by Actors Bridge Ensemble at The Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Pike, Nashville. Actors Bridge Ensemble celebrate their 12th annual collaborative production with the Nashville premiere of The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe. The Wolves was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and is among the "Top Ten Most Produced Plays of 2018-19" according to American Theatre Magazine. The Belmont Black Box Theater is being transformed into an indoor soccer arena complete with astroturf. The cast has their own soccer coach, Brent Maddox, who is helping them prepare for the physical demands of the play. Directed by First Night Award winner Jaclynn Jutting, the cast includes Lucy Buchanan, Riley Walker, Hayley Pellis, Penelope Gerosa, Sammi Gainer, Tea Sherrill, Rachel Mackall, Anna Jenkins, Emily Peterson, and CJ Tucker.

November 30-December 9 The Twelve Dates of Christmas, presented by Tennessee Women's Theater Project at the Z. Alexander Looby Theatre, Nashville. Tamiko Robinson Steele starts in TWTP's holiday season production of Ginna Hoben's side-splitting one-woman play that opens with Mary (Steele), visiting her family in Ohio for Thanksgiving. She switches on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and spots her fiancé back in NYC - kissing another woman on national television! What ensues is a cautionary Christmas comedy for these modern times. For tickets, go to www.12datestwtp.brownpapertickets.com.

November 30-December 9 It's a Wonderful Life, presented by The Renaissance Players at the Renaissance Center at Freed-Hardeman University, Dickson. In our American culture It's a Wonderful Life has become almost as familiar as Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The story is a natural for a stage adaptation: the saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descent on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him-by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born-that his has been, after all, a wonderful life. This faithful adaptation has all your favorite characters: George and Mary Hatch, Clarence, Uncle Billy, Violet, and, of course, the Scrooge-like villain, Mr. Potter. This fine dramatization not only celebrates the faith of the season, it also celebrates the American philosophy of life: hard work, fair play and the love and support of one's family and community will be rewarded. Auditions are October 8 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.renplayers.com, or by calling (615) 593-5520.

November 30-December 16 Miracle on 34th Street, Center for the Arts, Murfreesboro. For more information, go to www.boroarts.org or call (615) 904-2787.

November 30-December 16 Lips Together, Teeth Apart, presented by Rogue Stage Ensemble at The Barbershop Theater, Nashville. A beachside home on Fire Island proves a strange setting for two straight couples - sister and brother Chloe and Sam, and their spouses John and Sally - on the Fourth of July. Upon his recent death from AIDS, Sally's brother David bequeathed her the Fire Island house, surrounded by friendly, partying gay neighbors on either side of the fence. Terrence McNally's play is an indictment of ignorance and stagnancy in the fight against AIDS, as well as a powerful look inside dissolving marriages, lost hopes and dreams and the looming capricious nature of death.

December 6-9 The Seventh Annual Winter Concert, presented by The Theater Bug, 4809 Gallatin Pike, Nashville. Come join 50+ of Nashville's talented young performers for a night of music, dance and fun in the seventh annual Winter Concert - a perfect way to celebrate the Winter Season for all ages, with holiday fun for the whole family! Curtain is at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with a 6 p.m. curtain on Sunday. Call (615) 838-7358 for details.

December 6-16 Christmas on the Towne, presented by Towne Centre Theatre, 136 Frierson Street, Brentwood. Christmas on the Towne is a wonderful Christmas cabaret of holiday songs - some old, some new and some with a twist that are sure to get you in the festive spirit. There will be pre-show entertainment and caroling before show with complimentary wine and photo opportunities. Curtain is at 8 p.m. for evening performances, with 2:30 Sunday matinees. Call (615) 221-1174 for tickets.

December 6 A Victorian Christmas Carol, presented by Watershed Public Theatre at Ledbetter Auditorium, Clement Hall at Columbia State Community College. Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale returns to local stages December 6-9, presented by Watershed Public Theatre. Adapted by local writer Beverly Mitchell, the original stage play features the character Charles Dickens narrating his famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge's encounters with three Christmas spirits. The fresh adaptation includes musical interludes in the form of acoustic performances of classic Victorian carols. Tickets are available online at www.watershedtheatre.org or by calling (931) 797-6551; discounts available for groups of ten or more.

December 6-22 It's a Wonderful Life (Radio Play), presented by Artists Community Theatre at 12545 Old Hickory Boulevard, Antioch. Directed by Teri Beck.

December 6 A Victorian Christmas Carol, presented by Watershed Public Theatre at Ledbetter Auditorium, Clement Hall at Columbia State Community College. Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale returns to local stages December 6-9, presented by Watershed Public Theatre. Adapted by local writer Beverly Mitchell, the original stage play features the character Charles Dickens narrating his famous story of Ebenezer Scrooge's encounters with three Christmas spirits. The fresh adaptation includes musical interludes in the form of acoustic performances of classic Victorian carols. Tickets are available online at www.watershedtheatre.org or by calling (931) 797-6551; discounts available for groups of ten or more.

December 7-22 A Christmas Carol, presented by Towne Centre Theatre, 136 Frierson Street, Brentwood. For details, go to www.TowneCentreTheatre.com.

December 7-30 Disney's Beauty and the Beast, presented by Studio Tenn at Jamison Theater, The Factory at Franklin. Starring a treasure trove of local stage favorites, including Lipscomb's Hatty King as Belle and Patrick Thomas as the Beast - along with Paul Baswell, Curtis Reed, Matthew Carlton, Shawn Knight, Nan Gurley, Bradley Gale, Micah Williams, Abby Docherty, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva and Garris Wimmer - Studio Tenn ushers in the holiday season at the Jamison Theatre at The Factory in Franklin for a multi-weekend run. For tickets, go to www.studiotenn.com, or call (615) 541-8200.

Monday, December 10 First Night's Top Ten Grand Reveal. Join us for a Facebook Live event at 7:30 p.m., featuring the reveal of the people and productions from the 2018 theater season in Tennessee who have distinguished themselves and are included in critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual review of the very best in live theater and the announcement of our hosts for Midwinter's First Night. Bradley Gale, Brooke Leigh Davis, Candace-Omnira Lafayette, Elizabeth Golden, Amie Lara, David West, Angela Gimlin and more Nashville theater personalities join Ellis for the event, in anticipation of Midwinter's First Night, to be held in January!

December 13-23 Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirate's Christmas, at TPAC's James K. Polk Theatre. Nashville's own Diana DeGarmo plays Tinker Bell in the production that will introduce an English holiday tradition to Nashville audiences: Christmas Panto. Go to www.TPAC.org for details, or call (615) 782-4040 for tickets.

December 13-23 A Sanders Family Christmas, presented by the Friends of White Bluff at the Bibb-White Bluff Civic Center. Call (615) 797-1154 or (615) 797-3131 for tickets and information.

December 14-22 A Christmas to Remember, presented by Center Stage Entertainment, at Academy Park Performing Arts Centre, 120 Everbright Avenue, Franklin. This high-energy musical revue features more than 40 of the most beloved holiday songs and will take audiences on a musical journey with styles ranging from traditional holiday classics and sacred favorites to rock and roll, country and big band. A Christmas to Remember is perfectly suited for audiences of all ages and everyone will be amazed by the professional cast of singers, dancers, musicians and special guests.

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