“Urinetown” played at the Boutwell Dramatic Arts building at MTSU last week, and again the drama department put on a fine show with a good crowd at each of the five performances on the Tucker stage.

With Daniel Joyce as “poor” Bobby Strong and Tonya Pewitt as “rich” Hope Cladwell, both lead actors were well received and put on an outstanding performance. The chemistry clicked and made for a smooth, blended show that enhanced the other actors on the stage.

A bit of comedy, a bit of drama, and a lot of thought-provoking ideas cascaded off the stage and into the hearts and minds of an audience that took in every piece of the performance. Beautiful dance and choreography, lighting that could not be beat, and with a lot of scaffolding that sometimes could be a struggle to move, the show was fun to watch, and the audience, too, was fun to watch as it sometimes interacted with the performers on the stage.

Justin Bourdet was probably the scene stealer, and in several instances he did so to the ultimate delight of the patrons sitting in front. With over 30 performers darting in and out of the scaffolding, and climbing it to boot, at times the audience was left breathless at watching some of the acrobatic moves being demonstrated. Another actor, Jesse Cannady, was the epitome of a U.S. Senator, and he did a splendid job as Senator Fipp.

Director Deborah Anderson always does a great job with the acting team; she and Assistant Director Amanda Walker, along with the entire cast, deserved the standing ovation they received at the end of the show.

This show was the season finale for the Tucker stage this school season, although there are some other dance/musicals going on in the next few weeks. I always enjoy the MTSU actors from the school’s drama department, and I look forward to fall 2009.

Time for a break

In the two years and two months I have been writing the stage theater previews, reviews and critiques, I have realized recently that is 54 Pulses, 108 weeks, and 127 shows I have watched and written about. When I volunteered for this creative writing job, Publisher Bracken Mayo (no relation, by the way) gave me an opportunity and chance that few people receive. I was elated, and humbled, and most thankful for the opportunity. I was, and have been, the “old man” of this newspaper, being twice as old as many of the others who write and report for this creative arts and entertainment magazine (I will be 55 next Tuesday).

I have met some wonderful, warm and incredibly creative and imaginative people in these two years. I have also met some extreme drama queens and explosive egos at the same time. It goes with the territory however. I did not take this job to become popular; I took it to make Murfreesboro and Rutherford County more aware of the thrilling, wonderful stage theater we have, and possess.

With this being said, this article is going to be my last for a while, at least in this format. I need to take some Friday and Saturday nights and make them Terry’s time. Understand I will continue to let you know what is coming our way every two weeks, at all the venues around here, including Murfreesboro Little Theatre, The Murfreesboro Center for the Arts, The Theatre at Patterson Park, The Arts Center of Cannon County, Lamplighter’s Theatre in Smyrna, The Tucker Theatre at MTSU, and high school theater in Murfreesboro. But with MLT being the exception, I won’t be doing any more reviews and critiques. I highly regard the folks at MLT, and here is a critique, my last: they are arguably the most professional, most skilled, and most imaginative group of thespians, actors and technicians to be found anywhere. I applaud their efforts and their continued hard work to bring great community theater to our town. All other stage theaters in Rutherford County could and should take their cues from this establishment. We would ALL enjoy theater a lot more if they did.

I appreciate everyone who took me under their wing these two years. It is hard to remain objective when you have a friend on stage and you have to write about it. Thanks, Bracken, for giving me this opportunity.

Looking ahead

“Twilight of the Golds,” produced by MLT and directed by Bob Fish, starts April 24 for two weekends at MLT.

Also, Murfreesboro Little Theatre will produce the Sondheim musical, “Into the Woods,” at the Theatre at Patterson Park. Set deep in the world created by the Brothers Grimm, the fabled characters of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) and Rapunzel cross paths as they embark on their respective journeys.

Stocked with a stellar cast of 12 – 18-year-olds, “Into the Woods” will be at Patterson Park, 521 Mercury Blvd., April 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7 p.m., with one Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on April 19.

For reservations or more information, call (615) 893-9825.