MLT production of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night."
The Murfreesboro Little Theatre, in recent months, has pivoted as gracefully as possible since losing its longtime venue, the unique log structure known as The Playhouse.
The 80-year-old former Scout lodge, razed in September 2019 due to safety concerns, had hosted scores of performances from the community theater group going back to the early 1960s. The still-itinerant but unsinkable MLT “will be popping up all over Murfreesboro,” according to president Shane Lowery, with two shows remaining in this, the group’s 60th, year.
Lowery told the Pulse that MLT’s free outdoor production of the Shakespeare classic Macbeth will commence at Oaklands Mansion on Wednesday, May 11, at 7 p.m., with performances to follow on May 12, 13 and 15 as well as June 2, 3, and 5, all at 7 p.m. The group will appear at Discovery Center’s sometimes-bawdy Bard-’n’-brew-fest, Shakesbeer, on May 14. Moving over to Mills-Pate Arts Center on Old Nashville Highway from June 16–19, MLT will stage a seasonably suitable production of Always a Bridesmaid.
Most recently, MLT took up residence for its third time this season at intimate venue The Walnut House to present The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night. The daring production—helmed by Catherine Burford along with Lowery—penetrated the unfathomable autism spectrum with no holds barred. While the play’s author, British writer Mark Haddon, has stated that the story’s brilliant and behaviorally challenged protagonist, Christopher, is meant to represent the unique view of an outsider, and not a specific diagnosis, high-functioning autism was nonetheless clearly implied. The dark and disturbing plot ultimately turns redemptive, spotlighting the sensitivity and value inherent in society’s most misunderstood members.
The lean-and-mean, currently mobile MLT is versatile enough to tackle more typical all-ages fare, but the group should be praised for also pushing boundary lines like the ones touched in the not-quite-family-friendly Curious Incident, which effectively utilized a large projection screen to facilitate otherwise impractical set changes (like, say, a star-populated night sky, or the Swindon, England, railway station). Additionally, a black-clad multipurpose supporting cast depicted everything from minor characters to kitchen appliances in the home shared by lead character Christopher and single dad Ed. Seeing human refrigerators and microwave ovens in use, arms swinging as doors, was not only novel, but it also brought a welcome bit of oddball humor, offsetting the anxious mood of the emotionally fraught, mystery-based story.
“Throughout the past year, MLT has proven that we can still put on meaningful and moving shows, without having a permanent home,” Lowery said, adding that “we have consistently provided theatrical opportunities for people of all ages across Rutherford County.”
Last June’s successful summer camp, for instance, had almost 30 participants and ended with a production of an originally written adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The free Shakespeare show drew around 200 attendees, Lowery said, adding that he hopes for an even better showing for this summer’s Macbeth event, the culmination of two 2022 summer camp theater sessions. The first session, for ages 10 and under, will be held June 6–10, while the second session, for ages 10–17, will take place June 13–17.
Another initiative benefiting Rutherford’s younger set was last fall’s partnership with memorial nonprofit The First Noelle to stage Miss Nelson Is Missing, which helped raise over 100 children’s books to be donated to local classrooms.
“We have also produced thought-provoking productions, like Constellations, which tackled the topic of cancer and assisted suicide, through an interesting script using string theory, performed at Gallagher Guitars,” Lowery said.
“We have also provided opportunities for local playwrights to see their scripts performed on stage, first with our 2021 production of The Volunteer, written by Andy Landis, and our 2022 production of Grande Finale, written by Lauren Street, both performed at Walnut House.”
In conclusion, the theater troupe’s genial leader had this to tell Pulse readers, especially those who support local arts: “MLT is strong and here to stay. We are striving to create quality, affordable theatrical experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. We are striving to create partnerships within our community that will benefit the community as a whole.”
The group’s website, with information on upcoming productions, can be found at mltarts.com.
