Jo Lynn Burks

Could LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Be Belmont University Musical Theatre's Best-Ever?

With its silver anniversary year within sight, Belmont University Musical Theater concludes its 24th season with what is perhaps its best show yet: Legally Blonde, The Musical.

Belmont University Musical Theatre's HELLO, DOLLY! Boasts An Embarrassment of Riches

It only takes a moment whenconductor Jo Lynn Burks raises her baton and the first notes of the overture are heard to remember that Herman’s score includes a treasure trove of Broadway chestnuts, including “So Long, Dearie,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Elegance,” “It Only Takes A Moment,” “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” as well as the title tune.

Cast Set for Film Adaptation of Eric B. Sirota's FRANKENSTEIN, Now Streaming

The cast has been revealed for the film adaptation of the long-running Off-Broadway musical, Frankenstein, by Eric B. Sirota, which has been released and is now available to stream.

Review: BUMT's Sparkling and Sophisticated THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Is Gone Too Soon

Sometimes, even imperceptibly and when you least expect it, you may find yourself in search of something that helps to take you away from the rigors of the real world, to transport you to a long-dreamed-of land of fantasy which exists in your heart of hearts. Perhaps that journey is spurred on by a passing thought, a barely realized memory of something lost long ago to the past, or you hear a snippet of a song, a melody that instantly makes your heart fill with emotion, and you are swept away…

Review: THE PIN UP GIRLS at NJ Rep Shines Bright on the Long Branch Stage

Plan to visit New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) for their new musical production that has it all, The Pin Up Girls: A Musical Love Letter. The show is a wonderfully performed timeless tribute to our armed forces.  Its music and stories will captivate a broad audience.

New Jersey Repertory Company Presents THE PIN-UP GIRLS: A MUSICAL LOVE LETTER

New Jersey Repertory Company, located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch is proud to present “The Pin-Up Girls: A Musical Love Letter” written by James Hindman & Jeffrey Lodin. Performances are June 9th through July 10th, Thursdays & Fridays 8pm; Saturdays 3pm & 8pm; and Sundays at 2pm. Patrons can purchase 

BWW Review: Belmont University Musical Theatre Comes Roaring Back With Fabulous URINETOWN THE MUSICAL

Anyone who’s been even the least bit concerned about the future of musical theater, in general, or the status of Belmont University Musical Theatre, in particular, need worry no more. The multi-talented triple threats studying on the Nashville campus, under the tutelage of program coordinator Nancy Allen and her team of top-flight educators, are proof that musical theater as we know it continues to flourish even in the darkest and most difficult of times.

STICKS & STONES Cast Members on Dream Roles, Onstage Mishaps, and More!

Playing Davida's sisters (who function as the show's narrators) are Cassie Donegan of Nashville, Tennessee as Abigail and Gabriela Gonzalez (a sophomore at Winthrop University) of Charlotte, North Carolina as Zeruiah.

Parris, Kocher Join Mad Lib Inspired Showtune Cabaret

Littleton, Burks, Logsdon Headline Showtune Mad Lib-Inspired Cabaret Fundraiser

Producer Ken Bernstein has announced 'Broadway Way Way...WAY Out There: A Night of Mad Lib Inspired Showtunes' at Bongo After Hours Theatre on Monday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m.

BWW Review: Belmont University Musical Theatre's Delightful and Entertaining THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

Anna Perry's energetic and period-perfect choreography - along with impressive performances from a cadre of university students destined for Broadway stardom - ensures that Belmont University Musical Theatre's Thoroughly Modern Millie is a complete and utter delight, featuring a memorable score wrapped up in a rather daft but engaging storyline that earns every bit of the resounding applause in a standing ovation that comes at show's end.

First Night's Top Ten of 2018 Announced in Nashville Tonight

In anticipation of the gala 30th anniversary celebration of The First Night Awards, Tennessee's best and brightest in live theater were revealed tonight as First Night's Top Ten of 2018 - reviewer and critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual recognition for theater in the Volunteer State - were announced during a Facebook Live presentation from Nashville.

BWW Review: Belmont University Musical Theatre's Startling Revival of SIDE SHOW

Macy Medford and Arden Guice may only be college students, but their performances as Violet and Daisy Hilton, the heroines of Side Show - the iconic musical by Bill Russell, Henry Krieger and Bill Condon that debuted on Broadway some 20 years ago - in Belmont University Musical Theatre's production that runs for just one weekend, are nothing less than a professional triumph for each young woman. Thoroughly committed and startlingly focused, Medford and Guice perform an oftentimes tricky, always challenging, task in order that the two young women effectively become their characters, ensuring the musical packs an emotional wallop delivered straight to the collective heart of its audience, while showcasing the evolution of a musical theatre program at the Nashville university, which over the years has gained a national reputation as the training ground of the next generations of Broadway stars yet to be.

Marilyn Maye, Broadway Big Band, and More at 54 Below Next Week

Next Week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

Christine Ebersole, MARILYN MAYE'S 90TH BIRTHDAY, David Yazbek and More Head to 54 Below in April

This April, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

BWW Review: Starmaking Performances Lead Belmont University's Exhilarating ON THE TOWN

There's really nothing better than a musical theater-inspired epiphany: On opening night of Belmont University Musical Theatre's altogether invigorating and exhilarating On The Town (which plays Belmont's Troutt Theatre through this Sunday, March 25) I was struck by the similarities - both structurally and musically - to the Gershwin masterpiece An American in Paris.

Daryl Glenn & Nellie McKay to Sing Robert Altman's POPEYE at Feinstein's/54 Below

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents: Daryl Glenn and Nellie McKay singing RobertAltman's Popeye.  Together at last, Daryl ('Daryl Glenn & Jo Lynn Burks sing Robert Altman's Nashville',  'Darylsings Steve: Songs by Sondheim') and Nellie (The Threepenny Opera on Broadway, 'A Girl Named Bill: The Life andTimes of Billy Tipton') perform the songs from Robert Altman's notorious 1980 movie musical Popeye. The quirky yet glorious score is by legendary singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson ('Everybody's Talkin') and features the beloved tune,'He Needs Me'.  With musical directors Karen Dryer, Ben McNaboe and very special guest stars Jay Rogers and Lennie Watts it's a fun-filled, joyous evening not to be missed.

Norma Luther, Ernie Nolan Named 'Theaterati of the Year' at Midwinter's First Night

Ernie Nolan, executive artistic director of Nashville Children's Theatre, and Norma Luther, who took over ownership of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and spearheaded its renaissance in 2017, last night claimed top honors as "Theaterati of the Year" at Midwinter's First Night at Music Valley Event Center.

First Night's Top Ten for 2018 Announced in Nashville

First Night's Top Ten for 2018 - critic Jeffrey Ellis' annual review of the best in Tennessee theater were revealed last night during a live Facebook broadcast, with the hosts of Midwinter's First Night (Ashley Wolfe, J. Robert Lindsay, Tosha Pendergrast and Ben Pendergrast) announcing the productions and performances recognized among the best of 2017.

BWW Review: Belmont University Musical Theatre's Remarkably Robust FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

It should come as absolutely no surprise that the current production onstage at Massey Performing Arts Center in Nashville, courtesy of the astonishing Belmont University Musical Theatre program, is possibly as good or even better than any show we've seen put on over the years by the venerated musical theater training school. In fact, BUMT has produced so many remarkable performers over the years that we may all rest assured that musical theater in America (if not the world) will continue to grow and prosper, thanks to the continued supply of new blood from Belmont.