Ireceived something the past two weeks I very rarely get: a reprieve from the stage theater in Rutherford County. It has been quiet as our stages are working on what is coming up in the near future. And wow, are they getting ready to throw it at us with both barrels.
Starting May 1, “Grease!” begins production at Center for the Arts with a rollback to the late ’50s in some superb music, choreography, and memories on the stage to set hearts racing and bodies shaking to the rhythm with leather, slicked-back hair, bobby sox and ponytails.
With director Christina Dallas Jones at the helm, Katye Brock as Sandy, and Carter Troutt as Danny, I expect this show to be ever as good as the other recent youth-led musicals recently performed at the Center, and one for all ages. “Grease!” spent a record-breaking eight years on?Broadway, and I hope to see you at the Center opening night for a lot of fun. Shows start at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.?
May 2 I will jump from the ’50s to the ’70s as I attend for review my first high school theater presentation, with Seigel High School’s production of “Fame!” This highly spotlighted performance of 30 students, under the?supervision of Choral Director Brenda Gregory, stars Holly Cormin, Shaun McClardy, Nick Keel, Kalli Buening, Morgan Lang, David Corlew and Will Duke. This show will only be playing May 1 – 5, and I urge?you again, to dance down memory lane for what I will believe will be a commanding performance. Shows start at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
“I want to live forever!”
Beginning May 9 and running two weekends at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, is “Ordinary People,” under the direction of Bob Roberts, starring Matthew Payne and Jeff Harr. I have been anticipating this production all season. This should be an extraordinary performance by some extraordinary people. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
“Tuck Everlasting” is on stage one weekend only, at The Arts Center of Cannon County in Woodbury, with shows Friday, May?9, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m.
Looking ahead to some productions this summer:
Center for the Arts
June 5 – 15, “You Can’t Take it with You”
July 10 – 20, “I?Do! I Do!”
Aug. 7 – 17 “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”
Sept. 11 – 28, “Fiddler on the Roof”
Murfreesboro Little Theatre
June 13 – 22, “The Fantasticks”
July 18 – 27, “The Widow’s Best Friend”
Aug. 22 – 31, “The Laramie Project”
Theatre at Patterson Park
Aug. 24 – 27, “Inherit the Wind”
Lamplighter’s Theatre
May 30 – June 8, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”
MTSU Tucker Theater
May 30 – June 8, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”
So there it is, looking good, looking busy, and lots of great stage action before us. As usual, see ya at the theater!