Fall Theater Fully In Tune

Murfreesboro Little Theater began its 46th season Sept. 12 with the wonderful play “Over the River and Through the Woods,” by Joe DePietro.

With the first two nights sold out, and making his MLT debut as a director, William Keathley did a wonderful job with the casting, placing on stage six actors well known to the MLT audience. With Shane Lowery as Nick, who without a doubt did some of his best work on stage since I have been writing these reviews, Pat Prosser and Charlie Parker as his maternal grandparents, Nancy Clymer and Jerry Bailey as his paternal grandparents and Dee Haddock as Caitlin, the girl grandma is trying to hook him up with, this production is fun, nostalgic, emotional and pure family.

In the duration of about a month, in the dining area/living room of paternal grandparents Frank and Aida, Nick is wanting to find his place in life, wanting to leave the town he has known all his 29 years. Thus, the drama begins with both sets of grandparents (yes, Emma and Nunzio too) trying to keep their grandson at home. With a pinch of faith, a dash of wisdom, a bowlful of laughter and a spoonful of sorrow, the audience comes in the theater hungry for love and understanding, and leaves Aida’s table full of acceptance and a tie that binds. The timing was perfect, the blocking well done, the lighting well orchestrated and the set just the way I would expect grandma’s to be . . . with a great cast to boot. “Over the River . . .” runs through Sept. 21, 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, and 2 p.m. Sunday. I urge you not to miss it.

Ford’s Fabulous ?Fiddler’

Continuing with family values, the Murfreesboro Center for the Arts opened its curtain Sept. 11 with “Fiddler on the Roof.” This age-old stage play and screenplay tells of Jewish struggles in 1905 Czarist Russia. This production is directed by The Center’s Andrew Ford, and I must admit, it is the most wonderful and entertaining piece of work I’ve seen Mr. Ford do to date.

With a cast of 31, everything about the play was incredible. Also playing to sold-out audiences, I was amazed at how fast the almost three hours went, the play was that spellbinding and authentic.

New to the Center stage was Anthony Cimino, who portrayed lead Tevye. One of the best actors to grace the Center in recent memory, his talent brought the entire cast together. His timing, stage presence and voice are a shot in the arm to that theater and I hope to see more of him. The ever-present roster of wonderful actors who work primarily for the Center were the best I’ve seen them, they blended and worked as true professionals. My hat is off to Francine Berk as Golde, she and Cimino were perfect together and their duets were excellent. One could feel the enthusiasm on the stage, and the lighting, the set, the costuming and the music were impeccable.

The showstopper, though, was Miss Madeleine Seage. As The Fiddler, the haunting, crying sounds of her violin had the audience in awe. She was magnificent. “Fiddler . . .” continues through Sept. 28; the curtain opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday, and matinees at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Upcoming Plays

Patterson Park Theater begins its fall season with the delightful play “Honk! Jr.” on Friday, Sept 19, for two entertaining weekends. Based on the story of the Ugly Duckling, and starring Zach Kelley, Michelle Quarto and a cast of 27, this E. Roy Lee direction promises laughs, tears and a moral statement that all will understand. Kathy Quarto is the music director and Kaylin Davis is the choreographer. Curtains open at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, with 2 p.m. Sunday shows.

Lamplighter’s Theatre in Smyrna begins its fall season Thursday, Sept. 25, with the traditional favorite “The Music Man.” With veteran actor Steve Burkett as Professor Harold Hill, the 76 trombones and the big parade will march for two weeks, through Oct. 5, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m.

MLT will begin a four-day run of an original play, written by Murfreesboro’s own Tony Lehew, on Thursday, Oct. 2, “Everyday Heroes.” I have read the original script, and it promises to be a terrific play. The log cabin will be converted into a bar, of all things! You will be carded at the door, and you will not only be a member of the audience, but a patron of Hero’s Bar & Grill as well. With 10 cast members you know and love, perhaps one sitting at your table, you will listen to the antics and ravings of the “usual” patrons, including a reformed alkie turned churchgoer, a war vet, the cut-up, the attorney, the loudmouthed but sweet bartender and three sassy broads (I want to sit at their table!).

“The Laramie Project,” which received rave reviews at MLT last month, is doing an encore presentation at Bear Hollow Dinner Theatre in Monteagle through Sept. 27. The original cast from the MLT production continues to show the world that hate crimes are disgusting and wrong. It is well worth the drive down I-24 for the 6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:30 pm show on Friday and Saturday nights, Sept. 19, 20, 26 and 27.

One last thing: catch Brian M. Booth at Writer’s Night at MLT on Wednesday, Sept. 24. It’s free and it’s fun.

IF YOU GO”

“Honk! Jr.”

When: Friday, Sept. 19 – Friday, Oct. 5; (Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinee at 2 p.m)

Where: Patterson Park Theater

Location: 521 Mercury Blvd.

“Everyday Heroes”

When: Thursday, Oct. 2 – Monday, Oct. 6

Where: Murfreesboro Little Theatre

Location: 702 Ewing Blvd.

“The Music Man”

When: Thursday – Saturday nights at 9 p.m., Sept. 25 – Thursday, Oct. 5