August was a slow, but exciting month for stage theater in our city. The Center for the Arts was in rehearsals, MLT ended its season in July, and picks up again this month, MTSU’s Tucker has yet to start its season as well, Smyrna’s Lamplighter is between shows, and the high schools are not yet open.

I usually do not write about music gigs, I leave that for other writers in The Pulse, but in early July, Brandon James Gwinn said he was coming home from New York City in early August, and asked if I know where he could do a show. I jumped on this immediately, as I knew OutFront on Main had a free weekend, and told him to get in touch with the theater’s Executive Director, George W. Manus Jr. On Aug. 6 and 7, the multi-talented young man played to two sold-out performances at the theater.

I was mesmerized at the skill and gifts this guy carries around just in his pockets. The one hour concert was filled with great music, most all of it written and scored by Mr. Gwinn. With two beautiful young ladies as his back-ups, and a host of instrumentalists, the comedy, the funfilled songs, and the wonderful renditions simply oozed from the stage, much to the delight of the packed house. It was great to see Brandon again, and I know he is going to go far with his show business career.

MLT Loves “Little Whorehouse”
Murfreesboro Little Theater hosted their annual Awards Banquet in their usual fashionable style on Aug. 21, and being in a show on another stage myself, I missed it for the first time in several years. My deepest congratulations to the winners in MLT’s 46th season, although there are never any losers on their stage.

2010 winners included—Best Production: Carl Glenn for “The 1940’s Radio Hour”; Actor in a Lead Role: Wayman Price for “How I Learned to Drive”; Actress in a Lead Role: Jolie C. Bell for “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”; Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Shane Lowery for “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”; Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Victoria McKinney for “PROOF”; Actor in a Minor Role: Corey Araujo for “Best Little WH in Texas”; Actress in a Minor Role: Kaitlin Beck for “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”; Best Set Design: Wayman Price & Shane Lowery for “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”; Best Light Design: Wayman Price & Shane Lowery for “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”; and finally, Best Costume Design went to Lourdes Luster & Ann Minzey for “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”.

What an incredible season, and as the theatre opens its 47th season in style with “The Boys Next Door”—directed by Chris Todd, beginning Sept. 10 for two weekends—here is knowing the log cabin will continue to draw crowds and break a lot of legs in the year to come. Shows are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Also Coming in September
Coming up Sept. 9 thru 27, Out Front on Main is producing “Dog Meets God,” directed by Bryan M. Sunday-Booth and starring David McGinnis as C.B. In a twilight series of shows, the theatre will also be showing “No Exit” on the same dates, and being directed by Raemona Little-Taylor, it stars J.R. Robles as Cradeau. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sundays.

“Gypsy” opens the curtains at Center for the Arts on Friday, Sept. 10, and runs thru the 26th with Robert Allen directing. The show will be starring Francine Burk as Rose Hovick and Kaylin Davis st Louise Hovick. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sundays.

See ya at the shows.