Local Stages Heating Up For Theater Patrons

All five stages in Rutherford County and the Arts Center of Cannon County are offering something for everyone this September.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 6, The Music Man has it’s premier at the Murfreesboro/ Rutherford County Center for the Arts. Directed by Andrew Ford and choreographed by Candilyn Ford, this play continues the “family friendly” theme the Center has been producing lately, and also the trend of musicals seen of late. With a cast of almost 40 and a beautiful stage, this will be a big parade for everyone to see. It runs for 12 shows (three weeks!) Thursday thru Sundays, ending Sept. 23.

The very next night, Friday, Sept. 7, The Theatre at Patterson Park starts its three-day run of three one-act plays (each night!), a “something-for-everyone” venue. The curtains open to James McClure’s Ghost World, then Zoo Story, by Edward Albee, and finishes each night up with Conversation at Night with a Despised Character by Robert David Macdonald. These three plays, directed by George Manus Jr. and Ramona Little Taylor, begin the first full season for Patterson Park, and I hope theatre patrons will support this new chapter in local theatrical arts. Break a leg, Patterson Park!

Murfreesboro Little Theatre opens its doors Friday, Sept. 14, to James and the Giant Peach, directed by Jamie Storvik. This runs two three-day weekends, and, from a rehearsal seen recently, will be a peachy delight.

Also on Friday, Sept. 14, MTSU’s Tucker Theatre begins a one weekend production of Sound of Music. Directed by Dale McGillard, this musical will be blended with the wonderful sounds from the Wright Music Department.

Smyrna’s Lamplighter Theatre, at 14119 Old Nashville Highway, opens production of Guys and Dolls on Friday, Sept. 21, for two weekends. It is directed by Greg Wilson and promises to be good entertainment for all audiences.

To end the month of September, The Tucker will run Mother Courage, directed by Deborah Anderson, for two weekends beginning the 28th.

On the same night, the Arts Center of Cannon County, just a 20-minute drive to Woodbury, begins production of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel which will run for three weekends.

I am proud to see Patterson Park’s theatre entering full steam into what can sometimes be a politically charged, ego-driven atmosphere of stage theatre here in the ’Boro.

I sometimes wonder if one could write a play of what goes on behind the curtains of our county’s theatrical arts. They would have a sold-out crowd on their hands. The play would have to be put on out of town so no real murders would be committed on the Murfreesboro stage.

However, what a wonderful bunch of shows for this month. Hope to see you there.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

A look ahead to a fun fall/winter season in the Theatre Arts program in the Murfreesboro area

? Arts Center of Cannon County:

Duck Hunter Shoots Angel Sept. 28 – Oct. 13

Beauty and the Beast?Nov. 2 – 17

A Christmas Survival Guide, (w/dinner) TBA

? Murfreesboro Little Theatre:

James & The Giant Peach Sept. 14 – 23

Hide and Seek?Oct. 12 – 21

High School Musical?Nov. 9 – 18 (Location TBA)

Same Time Next Year?Nov. 8 – 18