The theater circuit was somewhat leaner than usual these past two weeks, with only one show in town for our community enjoyment.
But what a show it was. Murfreesboro Little Theatre continues to pack ’em in and then gives patrons far more than their money’s worth. MLT has practically “outdone” itself this time around with “Cheaper by the Dozen.” The production sold out all six performances and with good reason.
Director Shane Lowery must have pulled out all the stops, with excellent casting, a most beautiful set, and top-notch lighting and sound. Jeff Stateler and Sherry Sunday did a wonderful, believable job as Frank and Lillian Gilbreath, the conservative, stoic, hard-nosed parents of 12 “youngins,” and as hard as it is to work with kids on stage, the nine fine actors (the three babies upstairs were never seen) did a terrific job and I beamed with delight at a show very well produced and directed. I must give a bow as well to those nine talented kids: Dillon Poff, Emily Dean, Alexandra Weiland, Harleigh McNeely, Ryan Robinson, Jessica Meacham, Elam Miller, Christopher Hedden and Zach Rossey. The rest of the cast, Sean Dixon, Danielle Araujo, Lourdes Luster, Tyler Tsoumbos, and good ole Jerry Bailey, rounded out a most incredible show.
Oh, and I must not forget Lamp, who played Him the dog.
The set was arguably the most beautiful I have seen at MLT. It gave a sense of depth that was incredible, giving the stage a much larger feel and surrounding than ever, and the way it was arranged gave the impression that the audience was sitting right in the Gilbreath’s living room, almost a live television studio type setting. My hat is off to the designers and construction crew, and the costuming was also some of the best I have seen at MLT.
I jokingly stated to Assistant Director Carolina George after it was over that it was frustrating as a theater critic not to be able to find anything to criticize about the show. Good work MLT!
From Kids to Angry Men
Looking down the March stretch we leave the 12 kids and run up on “Twelve Angry Men” beginning March 27 in Smyrna and running for nine performances. Curtains open at 7:30 p.m. nightly and 4 p.m. on Sundays.
An original production, “Twilight, Alaska,” opens at Bear Hollow Theatre in Monteagle, directed by George W. Manus Jr., the same weekend for a three-weekend performance. Dinner is at 6 p.m., and the shows begin at 7 p.m.
See ya at the show!
