Out Front Productions and the Domestic Violence Program of Murfreesboro presents “The Vagina Monologues” at The Theatre at Patterson Park at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 7 – 8.
Directed by Raemona Little-Taylor, this is one theatrical performance I urge everyone to see. It is funny in places, heart wrenching in others, and thought provoking in-between (no pun intended). All in all, a great play to go watch this weekend.
After the maddening, sickening rape of a 14-year-old girl on a school bus just a few weeks ago in town, by an obviously twisted 18-year-old boy, this is a show that will help you understand just what it means to be a girl or woman anywhere.
For your chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the performances, e-mail your name and phone number to murfreesboropulse@yahoo.com before 3 p.m. Friday, March 7.
MLT show makes audience see spots
I left Murfreesboro Little Theatre last Saturday night seeing spots. Thousands of them.
In what I consider the cutest show since “James and the Giant Peach” last summer was the weekend performance of “101 Dalmatians.” With about 54 kids, ages 3 – 14 on the stage, Wayman Price’s direction was wonderful as these very talented young people put on a terrific show to the delight of a sold-out house. Actually six sold-out performances over the course of this past Thursday through Sunday. That is not including the four performances to several schools which were also entertained during the week.
With the “best piano player” in the ’Boro, Charlie Parker, and Miranda Storvik as Cruella DeVil, the show, which lasted only 40 minutes, could have continued the rest of the evening had there been more story to tell, and the packed house full of mommas and daddies, grandparents, and aunts and uncles would have never left their seats.
Ms. Storvik, at 14, who is obviously following in the footsteps of her mother, Jamie Storvik, as one of the most entertaining female actors in town, did a splendid job of portraying the evil Miss DeVil, and mom, Sherry Jackson and Jamie Robinson obviously worked hard on the costuming, which was just as cute as the kids. With poodles, boxers, chihuahuas, and scotties roaming the floor, the singing and choreography was just simply amazing.
Four barks! to a great show at MLT!
Monthly writer’s night continues
Do not forget Writer’s Night at the MLT, on Wednesday night, March 19, at 7 p.m.
Our own E. Roy Lee will be performing that night, and it is a fun evening . . . it is also free!
Mr. Lee is also currently starring in “The Odd Couple,” through March 22, at Bear Hollow Theatre, 11885 U.S. Hwy 41S, on top of Monteagle Mountain. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:30.
A new take on ?Lear’
Bryan M. Booth, director of the upcoming “King Lear” at Center for the Arts, has discovered certain parallels between Shakespeare’s work, and Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather. This production, which promises some twists and turns in this modern day version, should be a “go see” as well.
With many new faces to the Murfreesboro stage to complement our own David Cummings as France, and Andrew Ford as Burgundy, I expect good crowds, and wonder aloud, as I did with “Seussical,” why this stage show will go only for two weeks instead of three.
“King Lear” begins Thursday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. and runs thru Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m.
All grown up
As children in 1982, Mary Ellen (Barker) Smith and Todd Turney were cast as Gretl and Kurt in “The Sound of Music” at The Cannon County Playhouse. The playhouse has since evolved into the Arts Center of Cannon County, and today, a quarter of a century later, both Mary Ellen and Todd are featured in the lead roles of Maria and Captain von Trapp in the Arts Center of Cannon County’s 2008 production of “The Sound of Music,” opening March 14.
In fact, 10 original cast members have returned from that 1982 performance to play in this year’s production.
One of the most beloved musicals of all time, “The Sound of Music” tells the story of Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent to become governess to the seven children of Captain von Trapp, and features a score by Rodgers Hammerstein II.
Calling all cuckoos
Auditions for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” are at Patterson Park on Monday, March 17-18.
I was not told whether it helps to be already crazy to audition for this show, but I bet it would help . . . gee I might audition myself!
Smith leaves local theater legacy
In a final note, it is with great sympathy to write of the passing of Ralph Smith, one of Murfreesboro’s great actors and commander of the stage. He leaves behind his widow, Cheryle Zachery Smith, and son Joe’l Zachery, who just recently stepped off the stage of “The Face of Emmitt Till” at Murfreesboro Little Theatre. You will be missed.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
King Lear
Center for the Arts ? 7:30 p.m. March 13 – 15 and 20 – 22; 2 p.m. March 16 and 23
The Sound of Music
The Arts Center of Cannon County ? 7:30 p.m. March 14 – 15, 21 – 22 and 28 – 29; 2 p.m. March 16 and 30
The Vagina Monologues
The Theater at Patterson Park ? 7 p.m. March 7 – 8
They Went Thataway!
The Theater at Patterson Park ? 7 p.m. March 14 – 15
AUDITIONS
Ordinary People
Murfreesboro Little Theatre ? 6 p.m. March 10 and 11
Roles available for 3 men ages 30 – 40; 1 female age 30 – 40; 4 guys ages 16-19; and 1 girl age 16 – 19
Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script
Performance dates are May 9 – 11 and 16 – 18.
Directed by Bob Roberts, For more information, call (615) 969-3980
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Theater at Patterson Park ? 6 p.m. March 17 and 18
Roles available for 13 men ages 18 – 60 and 4 women ages 18 – 50
Directed by Michael Prevost
For more information, call 893-7439, ext. 32
