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Rapid Fire 20Q (2 of 2) with cast and director of Nashville Rep’s ‘The Color Purple’ onstage at TPAC’s Polk Theatre April 5-14

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As I indicated in my first Rapid Fire 20Q featuring the director and cast of Nashville Repertory Theatre announced that The Color Purple, I’m such a fan of the show that I decided to go all in and do two Rapid Fire 20Qs to feature as many cast members as I could. Hey, my name’s on the site, so I can do what I want, right? So…here’s Part 2 of my conversations with the cast of The Color Purple. This time around, I’m chatting with Shinnerrie Jackson (Sofia), Elliott Winston Robinson (Mister), Raven Buntyn (Squeak) and Gerold Oliver (Harpo). In case you missed Part 1, CLICK HERE to check out my chats with The Color Purple’s director, Reggie Law as well as Carli Hardon (Celie), Tamica Nicole (Shug) and  Maya Riley (Nettie). Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple opens at TPAC’s Polk Theatre for performances Friday, April 5 thru Sunday, April 14.

RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST OF NASHVILLE REP’S THE COLOR PURPLE (2 of 2)

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’s SOFIA, SHINNERRIE JACKSON

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Before we talk The Color Purple, while researching to chat with you, I learned you are an Assistant Professor of Theatre at UT Knoxville, and you’re also a company member of Knoxville’s Clarence Brown Theatre. Because I truly love connecting the dots when folks I know, know folks I know, I’m gonna name drop…I’ve known Carol Mayo Jenkins for ages. She is the cousin of one of my dearest friends. Carol was Artist in Residence at UTK until her recent retirement. Do you have a favorite memory of working alongside the legendary actress?

SHINNERRIE JACKSON:  She taught me how to live in the truth of who I am and to be grand. I never thought of myself as grand and she gave me that lesson during a scene she taught from Heartbreak House (Shaw play). She is a phenomenal actress and teacher. I’m still learning from her.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You play Sofia in Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple. When I spoke with Carli, I mentioned the impressive list of actresses associated with her role. The same can be said of Sofia. From Oprah to my friend Pam Trotter, Miss Sofia is without a doubt one of the most memorable characters ever to grace the pages of a book, the stage and screen. Would you consider Sofia a ‘bucket list’ role?

SHINNERRIE JACKSON: Yes! I’ve wanted to play this version of Sofia since Felicia P. Fields originated the role in 2005. I was just waiting for my regional theatre turn. I audtioned for NashRep last year and thought it would pass me by, but fate had other plans and here I am!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like many of the characters in The Color Purple, Sofia undergoes a transformation. Is there an aspect of Sofia and her transformation that you might consider adopting in your own life long after the show closes?

SHINNERRIE JACKSON: I think we all love Sofia because, despite the difficult systemic violence she’s forced to endure, Sofia is able to come back to herself. Her inner strength, her love and her joy. That’s the lesson for me. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A catalyst for the above-mentioned transformation is Sofia finally having enough of certain situations. How do you prepare for the seriousness of such scenes?

SHINNERRIE JACKSON: The script and the book (by Alice Walker) give you everything you need. As soon as the words come out of my mouth the feeling and her personality is there, the words are that powerful. I just have to maintain my stamina throughout the run. I also am invoking the spirit of my grandmother Ernestine Jackson, a woman who never let the violence of the system deter her from her dreams. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: We touched on your Knoxville connections. Of course The Color Purple’s director, Reggie Law also hails from Knoxville as does Nashville Rep’s Artistic Director, Micah-Shane Brewer. Did one of them reach out to you and urge you to audition?

SHINNERRIE JACKSON: While it has been great to work with Reggie Law, my direct connection is with Micha-Shane Brewer. We are both alumns of the MFA program at The University of Tennessee. I saw the advert for auditions and here I am.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’s MISTER, ELLIOTT WINSTON ROBINSON

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How would you describe Mister, the role you are playing in Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple?

ELLIOTT WINSTON ROBINSON: It will be evident fairly quickly how horrible a person Mister is when you see the show. My challenge in portraying him is to figure out why he is this way, so I can make choices on stage that show the audience very clearly who he is. Mister is the kind of man that wants to project this great sense of strength & dominance, but he is really not very strong at all; he is just a big ol’ bully. I don’t want to give too much away, but when the people he rules over begin to question his power (Celie, Harpo), even they start to realize what the real man is all about.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Doing a little digging prior to chatting with you, I discovered this is your Nashville Rep mainstage debut. Not gonna lie, that factoid was a huge surprise to me, as I consider you to be one of Nashville’s most gifted actors. While it’s your Rep mainstage debut, you indeed wowed audiences as part of Nashville Rep’s recent stage reading Narrative of the Life of Cedric Bartholomew. What was the experience of bringing that story to life for Nashville audiences?  

ELLIOTT WINSTON ROBINSON: Thank you, Sir, for the kind words; that means a lot! Yes, it’s my first time for the mainstage. I was welcomed into the REP family at last summer’s Broadway Brunch, then had the pleasure of being involved in REPAloud readings of The Christians and Stick Fly, as well as The Narrative of the Life of Cedric Bartholomew, in the New Works Series. Bartholomew was so powerful because it was new, but also because of the incredibly rich historical nature of the story. The process was amazing; having the dramaturg and the writer in the room while we dug into the script was fantastic! We were able to really get deep into the language, and the history. The performances were great, too, but the process was so fast, I still had questions about the story and my character even after we finished the public readings.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: During the rehearsal process, did your director, Reggie Law offer any notes on finding your Mister?

ELLIOTT WINSTON ROBINSON: Reggie has been the greatest! He detected my nice, easy-going nature very early on (many people who know me wonder how I’ll possibly be able to play this role!), so he has [gently] pushed me and pushed me to commit to being Mister. He is my favorite kind of director, the one that will pull you aside from time to time just to give you another subtle layer to think about while building your character, encouraging all the while. I have seen him do it with each and every cast member! I feel like that keeps me more and more invested in the role, knowing he has confidence in me to make the character come to life.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: And now to be taking on the role of Mister in The Color Purple. I imagine the anger and violence exhibited by Mister would be difficult to play night after night. How do you prepare for those scenes and do you need time to compress after such a daunting performance?

ELLIOTT WINSTON ROBINSON: There are definitely some very difficult moments, none that I’ll give away here. But, like I’ve done with other characters before (Troy Maxson in FENCES comes to mind), I’m pretty good about NOT taking Mister home with me. I know who Elliott is, and the rest of the cast understands the kind of person I am. They are very influential in propping me up, encouraging me to be as Mister as Mister can be. Only on stage, though!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Mister isn’t all anger and rage. He has his lighter moment’s too. How much are you enjoying playing opposite Carli Hardon, specifically during the Miss Celie’s Pants segment?

ELLIOTT WINSTON ROBINSON: Carli is absolutely amazing as Celie! She weathers this terrible storm of a relationship, but when she starts to realize her self-worth and her value, she confidently gives back just as much as she takes. We have a few really powerful moments on stage, and she’s great at pushing me to create more and more tension in those moments. Again, I don’t want to give away too much, but those “lighter” moments come after Mister makes a stark realization about himself, one that changes the entire course of his life.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’S SQUEAK, RAVEN BYNTYN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Your portrayal of Squeak in Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple marks not only your return to the stage after a ten-year hiatus, but also your Nashville Rep debut. What prompted you to audition for this show?

RAVEN BUNTYN: My love for the original movie is what prompted me to audition. I grew up watching The Color Purple nonstop with my grandmother when she didn’t have cable. It taught me life lessons and was filled with so much beauty. That movie helped shape me in ways I’m still learning about today. It’s very dear to my heart. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Are you enjoying your time with Nashville Rep?

RAVEN BUNTYN: Absolutely! It’s been so much fun being apart of this show. It’s not everyday that I get to be around people who love to burst into random song and dance as much as I do. It’s so refreshing! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Squeak might have limited stage time, but she’s certainly memorable. Who is Squeak to you?

RAVEN BUNTYN: Squeak is a rebel! She’s loud and slightly annoying but full of heart and passion. She really just wants to be loved and seen.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Quite often, when a character doesn’t get a lot of exposition within the contest of the play, I find that actors frequently create their own backstories as they delve into the character. Have you done this with Squeak?

RAVEN BUNTYN: Squeak has always had a secret desire to sing, she emulates the likes of Shug Avery and wants to be a star. Her father walked out on her and her mother when she was very young, but her mother never failed to instill confidence in Squeak. And even though she’s very naive and inexperienced, because of her mother’s love, she won’t let anyone walk all over her.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I love the scenes when Squeak asserts herself with Sofia. How much fun are you having in this scenes?

RAVEN BUNTYN: That is my absolute favorite scene! I get to be boisterous and tap into Squeak’s fire. Squeak may not be the one to beat Sophia but she still stands up for herself and I love that about her. 

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’S HARPO, GEROLD OLIVER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How would you describe Harpo, the role you play in Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple?

GEROLD OLIVER: Harpo was thrust in to a cycle of violent lifestyles. Men in that time period were innately rougher, due to the conditions they grew up with. Harpo is doing his best to slip past the tendency to fall into the same behavior perpetuated by that cycle, but that isn’t to say he’s an unflawed character.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I read The Color Purple when the book first came out, and of course I was obsessed with the original film adaptation. When do you first recall being cognizant of The Color Purple?

GEROLD OLIVER: I was young when I first saw the original film, albeit I didn’t watch the film in its entirety until I was much older. It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I was made aware that there was a novel from which the film was based.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s it like having Elliott Winston Robinson play your on-stage father?

GEROLD OLIVER: Elliot is a really nice dude in real life. I’ve been lucky enough to have shared the stage with him before. It’s been a fun experience watching him push to find the places he has to go to so he can honestly portray a dark character such as Mister.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Harpo seems trapped between being bullied by his father and longing to be assertive in his relationships with Sofia and Squeak. How have you tapped into those emotions and what have you learned during the process?

GEROLD OLIVER: Harpo is lost throughout the play. He’s lost because he grew up watching a very poor representation of what marriage should look like. Though I’ve not been exactly where Harpo is, I have been lost due to the dissonance between expectations of what life should be vs what life truly is.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Over the last few years, you’ve been a frequent presence in the Nashville theatre community, having done shows at virtually every major theatre company. Any advice for those considering auditioning in and around the Nashville area?

GEROLD OLIVER: A good attitude and a friendly demeanor will get you in far more rooms than mountains of talent. That’s not to say, slack off and goof around. Do your work, and try to enter the space ready to play. Things will usually happen fo you.

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Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple opens at TPAC’s Polk Theatre Friday, April 5. CLICK HERE for tickets. The beloved musical based on Alice Walker’s classic novel will run April 5-14.  In the meantime, check out Nashville Rep online and follow them on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter. Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with cast and director of Nashville Rep’s ‘The Color Purple’ onstage at TPAC’s Polk Theatre April 5-14

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Last year when Nashville Repertory Theatre announced that The Color Purple would be part of their 2023-2024 Season, Alice Walker’s original source material being not only one of my absolute favorite books, but also completely being mesmerized and touched each time I’ve seen the original Steven Spielberg film adaptation and the incredibly moving Tony-winning stage musical, I knew I’d have to chat with members of their cast and crew for one of my Rapid Fire 20Q interview features. When I learned that their entire cast was comprised of some of my theatre crushes, plus a handful of new (to me) but equally gifted performers, I had a difficult time of narrowing down who I wanted to chat with. Then I got to thinking…what would Shug Avery do? Lemme tell you. She’d have them all, so that’s exactly what I did.

Instead of my usual posing of 20 questions amongst four company members, I decided to give Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple the royal treatment it deserves. To that end, as the cast and crew ready to open the show at TPAC’s Polk Theatre for performances Friday, April 5 thru Sunday, April 14, please enjoy the first of TWO Rapid Fire 20Qs!

First up, I’m chatting with The Color Purple’s director, Reggie Law as well as Carli Hardon (Celie), Tamica Nicole (Shug) and  Maya Riley (Nettie), then CLICK HERE to check out my interview with The Color Purple’s Shinnerrie Jackson (Sofia), Elliott Winston Robinson (Mister), Raven Buntyn (Squeak) and Gerold Oliver (Harpo).

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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH DIRECTOR AND CAST OF NASHVILLE REP’S THE COLOR PURPLE (1 of 2)

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’s DIRECTOR, REGGIE LAW

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While directing The Color Purple marks your Nashville Rep debut, you have a lengthy background in the performing arts, most notably as Executive Artistic Director at Oak Ridge Playhouse. I’m guessing East Tennessee is what connects you to Nashville Rep’s Artistic Director, Micah-Shane Brewer. How long have you known Micah Shane and how did directing The Color Purple come about?

REGGIE LAW: I have know Micah-Shane since about 2008 or 2009. We were both Artistic Directors for small East Tennessee theatre companies. We often attended each others productions but had not worked together until now. 

Micah-Shane approached me about directing the show and I said yes without even thinking.  Then had to see if my schedule would even allow it. Luckily the rehearsal period and opening fell at just the right time. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand you didn’t initially set out to have a career in the theatre, first studying architecture at UTKnoxville?

REGGIE LAW: Boy, you have done your research! How did you know that?  Yes, I came to the state of Tennessee because I had been accepted into the school of Architecture at UT-Knoxville. I had an advisor who had grown up in New York, going to Broadway shows. We used to sit in his office for hours talking about theatre. He made me realize I loved it more than architecture. I had to have the difficult conversation with my mother that was changing from a reliable major to one with little to no job security.  But she was, and still remains, very supportive. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How has your background and interest in architecture aided you as a director?

REGGIE LAW: When I left architecture I made the most common sense transition into set design and had planned to become a set and costume designer. But eventually that shifted to stage management and ultimately directing.  I guess the biggest benefit is that architecture trains you to think about systems and planning while exploring creativity.  I think it has allowed me to “speak the language” when collaborating with designers. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Anyone who reads my Rapid Fire interviews with any regularity knows I love to include a little six degrees of separation whenever I can. We have a mutual acquaintance in Dolly Parton’s Creative Director, Steve Sommers, you yourself having served as Assistant Creative Director for Dollywood Entertainment. What’s a favorite memory of your time at Dollywood?

REGGIE LAW: Steve is a great. I am so happy for his success. He was one of the most popular singer/dancers at the park while I was there. I started as a stage manager and ended up being an assistant and right hand to Michael Padgett who was creative director at the time, directing some of the productions and some writing of shows.

One of my favorite memories was when i was a stage manager. Dolly made a special appearance and was on a balcony taking to a crowd. It was so windy I had to hold on you her to help her keep her balance. But remain hidden the whole time. I was virtually lying face down while holding the hem of her skirt. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences remember most after seeing Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple?

REGGIE LAW: I want people to leave with the thought that with clarity and goodness, we can overcome anything.  

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’s CELIE, CARLI HARDON

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re playing Celie. I can’t imagine anyone not being familiar with The Color Purple, but just in case…who is Celie to you?

CARLI HARDON: Celie is a who goes through so many trials and tribulations and is able to find her voice, strength and power through the women she meets in her life. But she is more than that. She is also deeply loving and able to find faith through the people she meets. She is a survivor. She is highly intelligent both mentally and emotionally. She is a talented seamstress, incredibly loyal, and I think she loves to laugh. Even if the forces in her life make it difficult to do so.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Nashville Rep audiences will no doubt recognize you having previous appeared in as Joanne in Rent and as Mercy in their production of School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play. Have you discovered any similarities between Celie, Joanne and Mercy or are they truly unique in their individuality?

CARLI HARDON: That’s a really cool question! I think there are similarities in all 3 characters. For each one there is a level of insecurity they face as they move through the world as black women. For Mercy, it is her skin tone and hair while for Joanne there is this need to be successful and striving. Celie’s is in her worth and beauty in this world. When I play roles, I try to find similarities in my life so as to bring as much honesty to the characters as possible. These attributes may not be inherent in each character but they were things I found that helped me ground myself in the characters. 

Another thing they all have in common is their capacity and desire to love and be loved. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What keeps you coming back to Nashville Rep?

CARLI HARDON: The people. Every show I have worked on has been full of supportive, kind hearted, creative people who will build you up and make you feel limitless. From the administration to the cast to the costume shop to Cece DeCorte and everywhere in between, these people are all-stars.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The role of Celie has been played by some of the most legendary actresses including my friend LaChanze, as well as Whoopi Goldberg, Fantasia Barrino and Cynthia Erivo. What’s it like to join this iconic group of women?

CARLI HARDON: Woof. Ya know? Honored doesn’t really capture how I feel. It crazy because each of those women shaped my early life in different ways. LaChanze has been one of my role models from a very early age and made me believe I could also blaze a trail in this field as a dark skinned black woman. Whoopi Goldberg is a woman who finds a way to be effortlessly hilarious and switch to being so authentically moving in drama. Fantasia Barrino is a vocal powerhouse who sings from the very depths of her soul and takes each and every one of us on a journey with her as she does so. And Cynthia Erivo? I saw her play this role on Broadway and it was the only time I have ever seen a show come to a full stop for a standing ovation. She is so phenomenal and a dazzling force this world will not easily forget. My goodness these women are goddesses and I am so incredibly grateful to have had them as my guides throughout my life. I’d love to say that I have joined their group but I feel like I have so much more to learn before I’m even close. My only wish is to take what I have learned from them and let it continue to guide me on my journey. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Celie, you get to perform some of the most gorgeous songs, not just in this show, but to my estimation, in all of modern musical theatre. Who are the musical director and choreographer for Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple and what have rehearsals been like?

CARLI HARDON: Our marvelous musical director is Dion Treece and our tremendous choreographer is Joi Ware. Rehearsals have truly been a collaborative process. 

Dion, truly feels the soul of the music and allows the freedom of your expression to help motivate how the music flows. He has this way of seeing the music and coloring it in such a creative and  beautiful way. Not only that, he is one of the BEST cheerleaders in the world. He encouraged me to feel what the moments call for and then takes those same moments to a whole new level based off of what he sees and feels from me.

Joi is truly a wonder to work with. She is able to see what is already being brought to the table and finesse it to being a stunning work of art. From the incredible dance numbers to small moments in scenes that make all the difference in further expanding the world that we are in. She has such a stunning eye for detail. She is such a skilled teacher. She will continue to find ways to help with getting concepts or movement until one sticks. 

Working with both of these titans (go football) has been such a pleasure.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’s SHUG AVERY, TAMICA NICOLE 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Shug Avery…Shug Avery! Dang, do I love that character! How much fun are you having playing her?

TAMICA NICOLE: I am having the most amazing time playing Shug Avery. She represents many aspects I see in myself, such as self-determination, self-love, and free spiritedness. She also represents things that one may not want to associate with, such as selfishness and arrogance. What I love about her character, be it positive or negative attributes, she allows the audience,

as well as the actress to embody what it means to be human; not perfect, but real, relatable, aiming towards being a better person.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In the 1985 film, when asked where her much younger male companion is, Shug slyly grins and says, “He went to college”. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the musical, but I can’t recall if that line made it into the stage adaptation. Nonetheless, the show is full of quick quips. Do you have a favorite line, yours or someone else’s, that makes you giggle every time you hear it?

TAMICA NICOLE: My favorite line/scene is when Shug is trying on a pair of Miss Celie’s pants, overhearing a phone conversation of which Celie is being told her Pa died and left her the store and house he owned. She finds out the man she thought was her Pa was actually her step-Pa, who had been raping her from the time she was 12 in that house. Because of this, Celie did not want the house. Shug cannot believe what she is hearing. She feels Celie should be happy her step-Pa is dead, and her real Pa left her everything. The sassy Shug snaps at Celie and says, “What you talkin’ bout you don’t want a house? Your real Daddy left it for you. That dog of a step-Pa just a bad odor passing through. Gimme that.” (Shug snatches the phone from Celie and says), “Celie want that house. And the store too! And she comin’ home tomorrow to sign the papers. (Shug hangs up the phone and says to Celie) Come on. Get Packed. You get there in time, you can make it to the funeral. Maybe you like him better dead!” This scene cracks me up, and the audience laughs every time they hear it. Shugs no-nonsense attitude towards Celie is so funny. She practically tells her what she is going to do. And the last line, about liking her step-Pa better dead, followed with my sinister laugh, makes for a great chuckle moment.    

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You, like myself, are a Nashville native…we’re rare unicorns, you and I. People love to grumble about ‘New Nashville’, but what I want to know is…what’s your favorite aspect of the changes you’ve seen in your hometown in recent years?

TAMICA NICOLE: I LOOOOOOOVE my city! Nashville is one of a kind. It has that good old home feel about it. I particularly love the growth in population. Now, I know some may think I’m strange for saying that, as I’ve heard many say the opposite. Let me explain. I believe growth indicates life, evolution, progression, and transformation. When things are stagnant they become lifeless, stale, dead. Growth is part of being a living, breathing organism in the world we live in. We must learn to embrace it, as we have been equipped as human beings with a natural, innate intelligence to adapt to new situations. So, I welcome growth in my life, in Nashville, in population, new experiences, love, opportunities, good health, in my bank account lol, etc.    

JHPENTERTAINMENT: It would seem you’ve fully embraced Nashville’s Music City moniker, considering you’re a singer/songwriter, an artist with Nashville Opera and a member of the W. Crimm Singers, TSU’s Big Blue Opera Initiatives’ ensemble in residence. How vital is it to you to showcase the fact that Nashville being referred to as Music City reaches far beyond country and Americana music?

TAMICA NICOLE: Well, I would have to say I go through life relying on a phrase I heard some time ago, “life takes care of life.” All things are life, including the music we create. For me, I feel things happen in perfect timing. Regardless of the style and genre of the creative works, I think music gets to the listeners in a naturally, perfected way. Through the many avenues of technology music is able to be received all over the world. Music City, in my opinion, is more and more being known for the diversity in music from its creators. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Shug, you no doubt get to wear some fabulous wardrobe pieces. Who’s the show’s costumer and do you have a favorite Shug look?

TAMICA NICOLE: The costume designer is Nia Safarr Banks. She is amazing! Her concepts and ideas for how to portray each character are so detailed and precise. My favorite Shug piece is the costume for Push the Button. It is the dress she wears at the juke joint. The colors are so vibrant and beautiful. The dress makes me feel sexy, yet it’s tasteful. Shug has style honey! Lol! And let’s not forget about the head piece Nia designed for this look. It is simply stunning.

I won’t give away too many details. The people will have to come to the show to see it. But I will say it truly is a statement look, and I am definitely going to give a Shug Avery kind of performance in it! Hope to see you there!

RAPID FIRE WITH THE COLOR PURPLE’s NETTIE, MAYA RILEY

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The last few years continue to be MAYA’S YEARS…how many show’s have you been involved in since returning to Nashville and how much are you loving this time in your life?

MAYA ANTOINETTE RILEY: Haha yes! Performing for my Nashville theatre family is my favorite thing, and I’ve had the privilege to work with all the professional theatre companies that I admired growing up. I’ve done around 10 shows (a mix of full productions and staged readings) with Nashville Repertory Theatre, Studio Tenn, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Children’s Theatre, and I most recently did a cabaret with Street Theatre Company. I’m having a great time sharing amazing stories with the community that raised me, and I’m so excited for what’s to come!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How would you describe Nettie?

MAYA ANTOINETTE RILEY: Nettie is a vivacious and bright person. She’s deeply curious about the world, and has been afforded the opportunity to go to school and pursue education. Mostly due to Celie’s protection and sacrifices. I think Nettie serves as a pillar of faith for Celie throughout the show. When Nettie is gone, hope seems lost. When her letters are found, hope is renewed. She is sunlight on a stormy day. And a righteous, upstanding, educated woman. Which of course, in the world of The Color Purple, could be seen as very threatening. But she remains hopeful, optimistic and brave despite this.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Some of the show’s most beautiful moment typically involve the reading of Nettie’s letters. To that end, who’s the show’s set designer and is there a particular moment audiences should look forward to involving the set, whether one including Nettie or another moment you witness from the wings?

MAYA ANTOINETTE RILEY: Our fabulous set designer is Joonhee Park! She’s worked with the Rep before. Actually, I had the pleasure of working with her on The Cake in 2022. The set immediately immerses the audience in a rustic, grounded experience. I think the most unique aspect of the set for this production is the spareness. It forces the audience to really engage with the subject matter of the story. No frills, no distractions. Just the bones – reckoning with the full weight of the story. And what’s great about that for an actor is that it really gives you the opportunity to imagine these spaces/places and rely on your senses and emotional instincts to breathe the world to life.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of Nettie’s letters. You, yourself are a writer, having shared some of your poetry during your recent cabaret performance. Have you been working on any new material lately and when can we expect to see or hear more from you?

MAYA ANTOINETTE RILEY: Yes! I’m trying to practice writing at least 3 times a week. I have plans to publish some of my poems, so I’ll be submitting those to literary magazines and things in the next couple months. And I’ve been doing a lot of dramatic writing as well. I hope to have a reading later this summer for a project I’ve been working on. I want to hear it aloud to help me continue editing it. Hopefully, you’ll see some of my written work onstage or on screen somewhere soon!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What themes explored within The Color Purple do you think audiences will contemplate long after the final curtain call?

MAYA ANTOINETTE RILEY: Some of the biggest themes of The Color Purple are resilience, spirituality and love. Alice Walker has spoken in interviews and writings about Celie’s journey with faith. Not in the sense of religion, but the unnamable sense of a higher power, a higher meaning. I hope that people leave feeling empowered by Celie’s resilience and revelations. Empowered to have highs and lows, to live the full range of the human experience, to make mistakes, and love themselves throughout all that. Empowered to discover their own greatness and the sanctity of all people and things around them.

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Nashville Rep’s The Color Purple opens at TPAC’s Polk Theatre Friday, April 5. CLICK HERE for tickets. The beloved musical based on Alice Walker’s classic novel will run April 5-14.  In the meantime, check out Nashville Rep online and follow them on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter. Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire Q&A with Rainey Trevino, Stefanie Londino, Charlotte Woertler and Christopher Swan from National Tour of ‘Annie’; Limited Engagement at TPAC March 27-30

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March 27 is World Theatre Day and I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than chatting with members of the cast and crew of the current National Tour of Annie, one of theatre’s most beloved and enduring musicals. As the company readied for their March 27-30 Music City tour stop at TPAC‘s Jackson Hall, I recently had a chance to pose a few questions to members of the company including: Rainey Trevino, who stars as Annie, Stefanie Londino, the show’s deliciously villainous Miss Hannigan, Sandy’s handler, Charlotte Woertler and Christopher Swan, who plays Oliver Warbucks for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q.
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RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH ANNIE NATIONAL TOUR CAST AND CREW

RAPID FIRE WITH ANNIE STAR, RAINEY TREVINO

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’ve been with the current tour since it began in the fall of 2023. How did you find out you would be playing the title role in Annie?

RAINEY TREVINO: The audition process was fairly long. I sent an audition tape in March 2023 and was called to an in-person callback in NYC in the middle of June. A couple of days later I was visiting family in Washington State and my manager called to tell me that I had booked the title role. That was the best moment of my life and I think I was in shock. This has been a dream of mine as long as I can remember. I had the summer off to get everything in order like switching to homeschooling, hanging out with and saying goodbye to friends and my younger sister, and I even had to get my braces removed after only having them on for four months. Then on Labor Day we started a month of rehearsals before hitting the road.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I love that the current National Tour of Annie is being directed by Jenn Thompson, who at age ten, appeared as Pepper in the original Broadway production of Annie. During rehearsals, did Jenn tell you and the other young actors anything about her experience with the show back then? AND…did she offer any advice on doing the work, but enjoying yourselves in the process?

RAINEY TREVINO: Jenn is such an amazing director and she has a unique perspective on the show having worked with Martin Charnin, lyricists and the original director of Annie! She shared a lot of insights and advice with the entire cast and a lot of the history of the show and history of the time period that Annie is set. She emphasized the significance of hard work and dedication while also encouraging us to have fun and find joy in the work.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of the original Broadway production, as your time with the tour began, you received a video message from Andrea McArdle, who originated the role of Annie on Broadway back in 1977, How cool was that?

RAINEY TREVINO: The message from Andrea McArdle had me star-struck. I have listened to her Broadway version of the Annie soundtrack a million times and it was crazy that she was talking to me! I still watch the video every week when we sit in a new city to get ready to play this iconic character.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Annie you share the stage with several other young actors who play Annie’s pals and fellow orphans. I’d imagine you’ve all become very close, celebrating birthdays on the road and exploring cities together when there’s an off-day. Are you enjoying getting to know your fellow young cast members?

RAINEY TREVINO: The other girls on this tour are my best friends and I can’t imagine what this tour would be like without them. We are like one big family. We do almost everything together. We are so close in age 10 and 11 and we are doing this unique thing of traveling the U.S. playing in over 50 cities for more than 200 performances this year, and being with other kids who have similar experiences makes this crazy life seem more normal, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Not only do you share the stage with several young actors, you also share several scenes with Seamus and Kevin, the two pups who alternate in the role of Sandy. I’d imagine they each have their own personalities. What’s your favorite thing about getting to work with the two of them.

RAINEY TREVINO: Working with the two dogs that play Sandy is a dream come true. I am an animal lover and have three dogs and so many other animals at home. Seamus and Kevin are the most professional actors on the stage and they do have very different personalities. You might even be able to see some of those differences on stage if you come to the show on different nights as they each have a slightly different take on their version of Sandy. I love that I get to rehearse their scenes when I first arrive at the theatre and get to cuddle and play with them. I have some moderately quick changes and hair fixes where I get to have bonding moments in the wings with them before heading back on stage. I really love this part of the job.

RAPID FIRE WITH ANNIE’s SANDY BY WAY OF TRAINER, CHARLOTTE WOERTLER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: First off, thanks, Charlotte for interpreting Seamus and Kevin’s answers. I understand this is your first national tour, after more than two decades of training animals for the stage. When did you first know this was the career for you and how did you yourself ‘train’ for this gig?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: I knew I wanted to be an animal trainer when I was about 8yrs old. I grew up in Los Angeles going to live tappings of tv shows and was enthralled by the incredible animals on I’d see on set. They always connect so strongly with the audience. To prepare for Annie I familiarized myself with the show both from an audience and backstage perspective so that I could begin breaking down the behaviors that would be necessary to deliver each scene. Next it was about acclimating both myself and our wonderful dogs to the sights and sounds of a live theater environment. 

 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Charlotte, what are some of the challenges working with Seamus and Kevin on tour as opposed to being on a movie or TV set or at one venue for a stage show?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: Tour is an exciting new challenge! Both Seamus and Kevin have been so adaptive and assured in navigating this new chapter. The biggest difference is how we’re able to communicate with the dogs as trainers. In a live theater setting you don’t want to see or hear the trainer cueing the dogs so we’ve had to be creative in developing new subtle ways to work with them. We also spend lots of quality time with the actresses who play Annie. This helps to foster a strong relationship between them and allows them to step into the role of “trainer” while onstage with the dogs. They make a great team!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Seamus is a Wheaten Terrier mix, while Kevin is a labradoodle. Aside from breed, what’s another distinct difference between these two dog stars?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: They each definitely have their own personality. Kevin is more of the class clown and loves to play ball while Seamus is the consummate professional and his favorite game is tug-o-war. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Are there particular scenes that Seamus and Kevin each seem to enjoy performing in more than others?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: They both really look forward to taking their bows. The whole cast has a great relationship with the dogs and they get so excited to run out on stage with all their friends. Waiting in the wings they’ll see Annie coming down the stairs for her bow and the dogs simply light up with excitement and can’t wait to get out there and soak it all in. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s your favorite aspect of life on tour with Annie?

CHARLOTTE WOERTLER: Meeting so many kind people and getting to experience so many new places has been an absolute treat. The dogs and I will go explore local sights and everyone always loves meeting Sandy.

RAPID FIRE WITH ANNIE’s MISS HANNIGAN, STEFANIE LONDINO

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You are back as Miss Hannigan after having toured with the show during its 2022 season. This time around you’ve got Rainey as Annie. How much fun are you having being back in the role and back on tour?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Yes, it’s my pleasure to be back with a whole new batch of chickens in the orphanage. I’m honored to step back into those snakeskin pumps for a second season of Annie!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Researching to chat with you, I discovered that in addition to your work in theatre, you’re also a personal trainer. While I’d imagine the show itself is quite the workout, do you try to work in a workout during your downtime?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Yes, definitely. Workouts are a regular part of staying healthy on the road— I’m so glad for my training and time as a CPT, for all it brought into my life and all I was able to share with my clients.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Vaudeville comedian W.C. Fields famously said ‘never work with children or animals’, yet here you are…I won’t ask the worst, but what’s the best part of working with the young actresses who play the orphans and the dogs who play Sandy?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Well I don’t know about Mr. Fields, but kids and dogs are some of the best coworkers I’ve ever had. They bring an incredible authenticity and an infectiously joyfulness to our tour family. I’m so grateful for the pups and my chickens every day!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I think it’s safe to say audiences have a love/hate relationship with Miss Hannigan. She’s just so terrible, but it’s terribly fun to watch her. Over the years, she’s been played on stage and screen by everyone from Dorothy Loudon, Nell Carter and Jane Lynch to Carol Burnett, Kathy Bates and Cameron Diaz. How are you putting your on spin on such an enjoyably wicked character?

STEFANIE LONDINO: Oh, she’s the best. It’s an honor to stand in this line of legends and give new life to such an iconic character. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to play her real, a human, not a caricature. Her struggle is real, her rage comes from that pain. And the comedy hits harder for that balance, the dark justifying the light. It’s been humbling to have the response be that she’s deeply relatable.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among your adult co-stars are Christopher Swan as Oliver Warbucks, Julia Nicole Hunter as Grace Farrell, Jeffrey T. Kelly as Rooster Hannigan and Samantha Stevens as Lily St. Regis. Using one word for each, describe your co-stars. 

STEFANIE LONDINO: That’s an impossible distillation! All I can say is that I’m honored to share the stage and the road with them. I learn from them each every day. Tour life has made us family.

RAPID FIRE WITH CHRISTOPHER SWAN, OLIVER WARBUCKS IN ANNIE

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Just prior to chatting with you, I had the chance to pose a few questions to your Annie co-star, Stefanie Londino. Both you and Stefanie are on your second season of the Annie tour, so I’ll start by asking you a similar question to one I asked Stefanie. What is it about Warbucks that prompted you to come back for another National Tour? AND…how much fun are you having with Stefanie back as well?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: Simply…it’s a great job. Singing, dancing, acting…Warbucks has it all. And as you get older in this business, you don’t get as many opportunities to stretch ALL your skills in one role like that.  And a chance to spend this much time with a character is rare. Three months in and you suddenly have a new thought or a take on moment, and that would never happen on a three week regional contract. And having a lot of principles return has really strengthened the frame of the show; given us confidence that we know it so well that we can just be in the moment as real people. Steph and I have shared a wish that Warbucks and Hannigan had more stage time together. We pretty much have separate shows. But I enjoying hearing her performance every night as I’m getting ready in the dressing room. She brings such life to this show. Really embraces this role and the audience and they absolutely love her. Glad she’s back.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: On the subject of previous roles…I gotta ask…how was it sharing the stage with Nina West during the Hairspray 20th Anniversary Tour?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: A highlight of my touring life. Nina…Andrew Levitt in real life..is truly a magical being. I hadn’t followed Drag Race before Hairspray and was a little nervous about working opposite a popular drag queen in their first big touring role. How do you address them? Will they be demanding? But Andrew was the sweetest. Kind, humble and nervous.  He was so thrilled and honored to be playing Edna and nobody in the cast was more committed to working hard and doing their best than he was. He LOVED performing the show. We had so much fun together doing the love duet, You’re Timeless to Me; Andrew’s joy and energy leapt off the stage every night. Nina/Andrew are the real deal and I’m honored to call them a friend.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Annie debuted as a comic strip in 1924…What’s it like to think you’re part of an American institution that’s celebrating its 100th anniversary this year?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: Well, needless to say it’s an honor. The musical will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary next year and love for the show is as strong as ever. I can’t think of any musical from that era that has had this kind of staying power. But you feel it every night on the road. And I’m so happy that I’m part of it.  We met Annie’s composer Charles Strouse when he saw the show in New Haven, and that really brought it all home for me. The time, the talent, the history behind this show is immeasurable.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Obviously Warbucks has chanced a bit over the last 100 years. For one, I’ve noticed he’s no longer referred to as Daddy Warbucks, but rather, simply Warbucks. On a more personal note, are there aspects of your portrayal of Warbucks that have morphed or changed since you first stepped into the role?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: Well, he has to earn the title of “Daddy” Warbucks, as he does over the course of the show. But when we meet him he is Oliver Warbucks, dissatisfied multi-millionaire. His journey through the show is very moving for me. He would never have predicted what ends up happening to him or how it would make him feel. Annie has a strong sense of self from the very beginning, but Warbucks changes. He doesn’t really know who he is until he meets Annie. And working on this role hasn’t actually been a straight, steady line. It’s strangely cyclical. Some weeks he’s the gruff business man who fights against his own feelings and then there’s some weeks where I find he’s more eager to change but doesn’t know how. It’s probably only a subtle difference that may not be noticed by most, but for me it helps keep my performance fresh.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What theme, idea or sentiment seen within Annie do you hope audiences reflect on long after seeing the show?

CHRISTOPHER SWAN: There’s so many wonderful elements to Annie. I would say, pick your favorite. Family, openness, optimism, perseverance, love. And cooperation. Whether it’s political cooperation in FDR and Warbucks working together, or Warbucks’ staff all pitching in to help Annie. Look for the helpers in Annie; they’re there.

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The National Tour of Annie begins its Nashville tour dates on Wednesday, March 27 with a 7:30p.m. curtain at TPAC’s Jackson Hall and continues with 7:30p.m. performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday. March 28-30. On Saturday, March 30, there’s also a 2p.m. matinee. Tickets for Annie at TPAC begin at $50.90. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

For more information on Annie, or to catch the show in another city during the tour, CLICK HERE. Upcoming tour stops include: Pensacola, FL, Orange, TX, New Orleans, LA, Sacramento, CA, Bozeman, MT, Casper, WY and more. You can also follow the tour on their official socials: Instagram, X and Facebook.

Following Annie, TPAC plays host to a full slate of entertainment for the whole family including Nashville Opera’s upcoming performance of The Magic Flute, Nashville Repertory Theatre’s The Color Purple and Nashville Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. TPAC will also serve as the venue for a number of acts hitting Music City as part of Nashville Comedy Festival. April will also see TPAC hosting three Arts Adventure youth workshops: one featuring Moana (for ages 7-12), one featuring Beetlejuice (ages 13-17) and the third, an all ages (9-17) titled Let’s Dance, featuring choreography from shows in this season’s Broadway at TPAC series. Speaking of Broadway at TPAC, next up is Disney’s Frozen, taking to the stage at Jackson Hall May 7-18. For further details on these and more entertainment headed to TPAC, CLICK HERE or follow TPAC on Instagram, X, YouTube and Facebook.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with ‘Variety on Main’ co-hosts Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey; monthly showcase of seasoned performers and newcomers continues at Franklin Theatre Monday, March 18

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Variety on Main, a new concert event happening on the third Monday of each month at The Franklin Theatre (419 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064) showcases seasoned performers as well as rising talent. Co-hosted and co-created by Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey, two truly gifted vocalists, as the event title suggests, Variety on Main showcases and celebrates a variety of not only music genres, but a wide-range of talent. The upcoming March 18 Variety on Main at The Franklin Theatre continues that concept by including performances by Carlene Carter, Becky Isaacs Bowman, The Rakish Paddys, Gretchen Peters, Blue Mother Tupelo and featuring Pat Coil and the Mainstays, as well as the show’s hosts, Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey. Having attended their inaugural Variety on Main back in January, and witnessing first-hand the wide array of talent these two have brought together, I knew I wanted to chat with Mandy and Monica for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20 Q.

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RAPID FIRE 20 Q WITH VARIETY ON MAIN CO-HOSTS and CO-CREATORS MANDY BARNETT AND MONICA RAMEY

RAPID FIRE WITH VARIETY ON MAIN’s MANDY BARNETT

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How would you describe Variety on Main?

MANDY BARNETT: It is a multi-genre show at the historic Franklin Theatre, there are two sets, a house band made up of incredible musicians, the artists range from seasoned pros to up and coming talent, the common thread, is quality.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Before we get into Variety on Main, let’s give my readers a little refresher…Early in your career, you performed at Dollywood, what’s your favorite memory of those early days as a young performer?

MANDY BARNETT: Some of my earlier days I performed at various variety shows, from the WNOX Tennessee Barndance, Archie Campbell’s Hee Haw Village and Dollywood.  They were all located in East Tennessee.  Some of my favorite memories of Dollywood are connected to Dolly’s family, they all performed there.  I met so many nice people and it was a great experience to get to perform some shows with Dolly and with her family.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Of course most folks know that you garnered critical acclaim and a huge fanbase when you starred as Patsy Cline in the debut production of Always…Patsy Cline, at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. What do you see as the most gratifying aspect of your time with that show?

MANDY BARNETT: This year marks my 30th anniversary since I started doing Always…Patsy Cline, which was among the first jukebox musicals – a truly life changing endeavor. Having Patsy’s family and peers play a significant role in my life has been incredibly special.  It’s astonishing how someone i never knew or met could so profoundly influence the direction of my life in countless positive ways.  Patsy Cline is iconic and to portray her at the Ryman Auditorium, where she herself performed, was an experience full of meaning. This role and the connections it fostered have been the most gratifying aspects of my time with the show.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Industry insiders and fans agree, you are frequently referred to as one of the most gifted vocalist around. When you hear such praise, what goes through your mind?

MANDY BARNETT: This recognition means everything to me, especially considering the internal struggles I faced early in my career.  I often agonized over whether to pursue the path of becoming a commercial commodity or to focus solely on honing my craft and collaborating with my heroes.  Ultimately i chose the latter aiming to reach a point in my life where i could look back with satisfaction and no regrets, regardless of the outcome.  This affirmation validates that decision, and for that, I am truly thankful.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How did Variety on Main come about?   

MANDY BARNETT: The concept of Variety On Main emerged from discussions with both Monica Ramey and the Franklin Theatre about some upcoming performances for my concerts which I had already been doing for quite some time. During our brainstorming sessions we toyed with the idea of creating a versatile Monday night show that could feature a broad spectrum of musical talent from an exceptional jazz trumpeter to a high energy bluegrass band.  The driving force behind this idea was my personal desire for diversity in music. I find myself quickly losing interest when the music is too monotonous. We wanted to craft an energetic and dynamic experience that would keep the audience engaged and open to discovering music genres they previously might not have explored. The goal was to create a space where every performance offers a new color and a fresh perspective ensuring an exciting, varied musical performance for our audience.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having attended the first Variety On Main myself, I was impressed with the true variety of the talent. I love that the lineups for Variety on Main truly live up to the idea of ‘variety’, not only representing different genres, but also a true variety of talents. How important was that to you in planning these productions? 

MANDY BARNETT:  My aim was to create a platform that highlights the incredible range and depth of talent across different musical landscapes.  It’s about creating moments where every performance is a discovery, an opportunity to be moved, inspired and surprised. 

I deeply understand the significance of providing opportunities to talent who might not otherwise have the chance to shine on stage.  Looking back at my own journey as a singer, I recognize the immense impact that working with professionals had on my development.  It’s about creating a platform where both established artists and emerging talents, including children with exceptional abilities, can come together and showcase their skills.  This inclusive approach not only makes for a a better show but also provides invaluable, potentially life-changing experiences for someone who is developing their sound.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: If anyone knows of someone who might want the chance to be part of an upcoming Variety On Main, how can they contact you and Monica for consideration?  

MANDY BARNETT: There is a talent submission form on our site. 

Photo by Cyndi Hornsby (Courtesy Variety on Main)

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As co-host and co-creator of Variety on Main, you share the stage with Monica Ramey. 

MANDY BARNETT:  We have a long history, similar goals and we have different strengths that make us a really great team. Monica is a seasoned performer, she brings elegance and polish to every performance.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of collaborating with Monica…any chance audiences might get a chance to hear the two of you duetting onstage, or on record?

MANDY BARNETT: We have definitely talked about it.  I’m sure as we hit our stride things will happen organically.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to your monthly Variety on Main shows and frequent performances at The Grand Ole Opry, on April 22, you’re among a stellar group of performers honoring Patsy Cline as part of Walkin’ After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline at the historic Ryman Auditorium. What can you tell me about that event? 

MANDY BARNETT: I’m really excited about this show, they have put together some amazing and diverse artists.  At this point that’s all I know, other than I think it’s going to be a very special night! 

RAPID FIRE WITH VARIETY ON MAIN’s MONICA RAMEY

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Collaborating with Mandy Barnett as co-host and co-creator of Variety on Main seems to be the perfect partnership. Not only are you both gifted vocalist, but beyond that, you grew up in Francesville, a small town in Indiana, while she grew up in equally rural Crossville, TN. Continuing the parallels, you both began performing at an early age. What was the first time you performed for a sizable audiences and do you remember much about it?

MONICA RAMEY: I remember singing for about 3000 people at a Farm Bureau convention in Indianapolis when I was around 4 years old. The details are foggy, but I remember getting to go to my favorite ice cream shop afterwards.  That was better than money for me at that age!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Have you always been drawn to jazz music? AND…who were some of your earliest jazz influences?

MONICA RAMEY: I was always drawn to the Great American Songbook.  I listened to a lot of broadway, popular recordings and jazz standards as a kid.  My earliest musical influences were Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne and Rosemary Clooney. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: From what I understand, after studying music performances at Indiana State University, you eventually moved to Los Angeles where you interned for NARAS Foundation. What can you tell me about that period in your life.

MONICA RAMEY: Interning for NARAS was a great learning and cultural experience for me.  It was just a few months during college but the people who worked there invited me to everything!  I heard so much great music and met people for whom I deeply respected.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: From LA to Nashville nearly twenty-five years ago. What prompted the move to Music City?

MONICA RAMEY: I was supposed to have moved to LA after college, but I actually was encouraged to give Nashville a try.  I love LA and I learned a lot – but I’m glad I made the decision to move to Nashville for sure.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: When folks talk about Mandy, inevitably Patsy Cline makes her way into the conversation. When folks talk about you, the late, great jazz pianist Beegie Adair is frequently mentioned. How did your association with Beegie come to be and what’s among your most cherished memories of collaborating with her?

MONICA RAMEY: Beegie was family.  We both wore a lot of hats for each other and she was, without question, the most influential and supportive person I’ve ever known.  I remember right before we were supposed to go on stage for a show in NYC, she turned around to me and said “this is just the beginning for you” and then walked out on the stage.  She was full of kindness and grace and those  moments stick with me like glue.  She always had a lot of faith in me and I miss her terribly.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: On the subject of collaborating, when did you and Mandy first toy with the idea of collaborating to create and co-host Variety on Main?

MONICA RAMEY: I was working with the Franklin Theatre to develop a couple of other projects and telling Mandy about them one day.  She asked “how about a variety show?”  As daunting as that sounded, I loved the idea.  And, she was forward thinking enough to envision how creative and successful it could be.  She was right!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having attended the first Variety on Main, I was immediately struck by how perfect the venue is. Was it a no-brainer that that’s where these shows would take place?

MONICA RAMEY: It sure was. The Franklin Theatre is a beautiful, historic theatre and the crew we work with there is amazing.  I’m proud to work with them and to support them.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Aside from the monthly Variety on Main shows, you’re a frequent guest artist at Rudy’s Jazz Room. I have to tell you, the last time I saw you there, I had the best time. When’s your next gig there and are there any surprises you can share with me about what to expect?

MONICA RAMEY: Oh, thank you!  That means a lot to me.  I’ll be back there on March 29th at 5:30pm.  I sing the Great American Songbook and jazz standards and the only surprises will be guests who might possibly be invited to join us on stage for a song or two.   

Photo by Cyndi Hornsby (Courtesy Variety on Main)

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to you and Mandy co-hosting each Variety on Main event, you both also perform a number or two. To that end, the ‘house band’ for Variety on Main is Pat Coil and the Mainstays. How much fun are you having not only performing alongside them, but also listening to them from the wings while they back many of the guests artists?

MONICA RAMEY: Oh my gosh – I’m discovering a lot of new talent just like the audience, so my jaw is on the floor most of the show.  Working with Pat Coil, Sam Hunter, Brian Allen and Larry Aberman is an honor. The energy and joy around the show is very real.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences come away remembering after having attended a Variety on Main event?

MONICA RAMEY:  I hope the audience not only leaves gratefully discovering new talent, but also the joy of being entertained and forgetting about the outside world for a couple of hours on a Monday night.  It means a lot to see folks already committing to attending the shows regularly. 

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As mentioned earlier, the Monday, March 18 Variety on Main features performances by Carlene Carter, Becky Isaacs Bowman, The Rakish Paddys, Gretchen Peters, Blue Mother Tupelo, Pat Coil and the Mainstays and of course the show’s hosts and creators, Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey. Door open one hour before the 7:30p.m. start time. Tickets for Variety on Main are as follows: Cabaret seating (cocktail tables at the front of the stage) are $75/each, Premium Classic (Rows A-D) are $70/each, Classic and Balcony are $65/each. At the time this interview went live, there were only a handful of seats available at each price level. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Can’t make Monday’s show? On Monday, April 15, Mandy Barnett and Monica Ramey and Variety on Main’s house band, Pat Coil and the Mainstays welcome Malpass Brothers, Gail Davies, Grey Delise and Bennett Hall Band. CLICK HERE for tickets. You can also follow Variety on Main online or on their Facebook, Instagram and Threads socials for the latest information, updates on upcoming shows and lineups and more.

If you’ve enjoyed this latest Rapid Fire 20 Q, be sure and CLICK HERE to check out previous conversations. if you are interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor, simply click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with Cast of ‘The 39 Steps’; Opening at Playhouse 615 February 16

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Based upon the 1915 adventure novel by John Buchanan, The 39 Steps garnered a wider audience in 1935 when Alfred Hitchcock directed his mystery thriller variation of the story. The plot and presentation underwent a decidedly comedic interpretation in the mid-90s when Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon wrote a stage play based on the work premiered. In 2005, playwright Patrick Barlow further adapted the stage play. In the current iteration of the play, every single character from Hitchcock’s film is played by a four-member cast, and comedy ensues. That adaptation of The 39 Steps is opening Friday, February 16 at Playhouse  615 (11920 Lebanon Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN) Directed by Diane Bearden-Enright, Playhouse 615‘s The 39 Steps stars Philip David Black, Erin Grace Bailey, Alyssa Borg and Barclay Randall.

As the cast was preparing for opening night, I recently had the chance to chat with them for my latest Rapid Fire 20Q. What follows are those conversations.

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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST OF PLAYHOUSE 615’s THE 39 STEPS
RAPID FIRE WITH THE 39 STEPS’ CLOWN 2, ALYSSA BORG

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand this is your first time on stage at Playhouse 615. What’s the experience like so far?
ALYSSA BORG: Working with Playhouse 615 for The 39 Steps has been a hoot! From the moment I stepped into the theater for auditions, each rehearsal has been filled with laughs. For me, Playhouse 615 has proven to be the epitome of community theater in the best possible way – performers, technicians, designers, all working together to create this magical and ephemeral beast (a play) all because they love the art of theater.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re playing Clown 2…what’s your favorite aspect of the role?
ALYSSA BORG: Haha, well, first, I love that I’m Clown #2 – in my mind there was obviously some sort of placement competition in the clowning community, like landing second chair in an orchestra. And having worked as a paid mime long, long ago, I love the physicality of this kind of comedy, plus it’s a fun acting challenge to play so many different characters with different accents.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of the different characters, of the multiple roles you play, do you have a favorite?
ALYSSA BORG: Mr. McGarriggle, hands down. Drunk. Scottish. Lots of one word responses. What’s not to love?

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s the most challenging aspect of portraying multiple roles in a single show?
ALYSSA BORG: Remembering all the costume changes.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Clown 2, you share the stage with Barclay Randall, who’s playing Clown 1. I’m about to chat with Barclay, so I gotta know…How is Barclay as a scene partner?
ALYSSA BORG: Oh, Barclay. He’s Clown #1 for a reason. Also I will say, I now know too much about Barclay’s love of breasts – mainly the pair he wears in the show.

RAPID FIRE WITH BARCLAY RANDALL, THE 39 STEPS’ CLOWN 1
JHPENTERTAINMENT: When you tell folks you’re playing Clown 1 in The 39 Steps, how do you describe your role(s) in the show?
BARCLAY RANDALL: First off, when I tell my friends I’m playing a character called “Clown 1”, they respond, “Ah. Typecasting.” Then I explain it’s actually something like 15 different characters who are all goofy, fun, farcical caricatures. Again, “Ah. Typecasting.”

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Just prior to chatting with you, I spoke with Alyssa Borg and asked her about sharing the stage with you…so I’ll return the favor. How is Alyssa as a scene partner?
BARCLAY RANDALL: Wonderful! Alyssa’s trained in improv and has come up with some great bits during rehearsals that take the comedy to a higher level. Or maybe it’s a lower level? Whichever, it’s a funnier level.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Playhouse 615’s The 39 Steps is being directed by Diane Bearden-Enright. Like myself, you’ve known Diane for years. What’s she like as a director?
BARCLAY RANDALL: She’s a very funny lady. Always has been. At least in the mmm-mmm-mmm decades I’ve known her. And she understands comedy. She can find the beats in a scene. She can find the funny in a scene. And she’s making us doing ridiculous things!  I love her!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Mr. Memory is among the characters you portray in The 39 Steps. Staying on theme with his talent of remembering things…what’s the most random piece of trivia that takes up space in your brain?
BARCLAY RANDALL: The second European explorer to step foot into what is now Tennessee—the second, mind you, not the first, who was Hernando DeSoto—but the second, was named Juan Pardo. That’s the one thing I remember from Tennessee History in college at MTSU.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Can we just talk about the train scene in which you play…what?…three or four characters within a matter of seconds? How much fun are you having with that?
BARCLAY RANDALL: The train scene is a great distillation of the entire show: lightning-paced and physical and over-the-top. In that scene, I get to play a foppish underwear salesman, an adolescent boy, an old lady, and a Scottish cop, all in the span of a couple of minutes. I think if I keep working it, and don’t die, it’ll be pretty funny.

RAPID FIRE WITH ERIN GRACE BAILEY, THE 39 STEPS’ ANNABELLA, MARGARET & PAMELA

JHPENTERTAINMENT: To start things off can you describe each of the three characters you play in Playhouse 615’s The 39 Steps using only one word for each of them?
ERIN GRACE BAILEY: Margaret – Sugar, Annabella – Spice, Pamela – Everything Nice (I know that’s two words, but it was too good of a quip not to use.)

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Early on, Annabella’s death scene is typically played with some fun almost slapstick physicality. In fact, the entire show is resplendent with over-the-top laughter inducing action. How much fun are you and your cast mates having with that aspect of the show?
ERIN GRACE BAILEY: It’s been an amazing and really refreshing experience. I think most actors would agree that high comedy like this is a muscle that most of us don’t get to stretch very often, so I really try to appreciate it when the opportunity arrives. It’s so wonderful to be able to walk into a rehearsal room and truly just “play.”

JHPENTERTAINMENT: If you had to pick…and I guess since I’m asking, you do…of the three characters you’re playing, who’s your favorite and why?
ERIN GRACE BAILEY: Each character is pretty different, which is a fun challenge, especially since a lot of female comedy characters tend to get bogged down in being one thing. Personally, I think I resonate the most with Pamela. Some of that’s probably because she appears in the show longer than the other two characters, so she has a little more depth. She’s got a tough exterior, but deep down, she’s a hopeless romantic which gives me a lot to play with for her.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I love that the play is peppered with nods to Alfred Hitchcock, who, of course, directed the 1935 film adaptation loosely based on the original 1915 adventure novel. Prior to being cast, were you familiar with the show and its history?
ERIN GRACE BAILEY: Not thoroughly. I love old movies and had heard of it, but I didn’t have a lot of background knowledge. I have watched it since being cast, of course. It’s actually quite shocking how much of the play’s script parallels with the film. It really proves how much context affects how you read dialogue. Aside from the text though, it’s been fun explaining this show to those who haven’t heard of it. When they hear the name Alfred Hitchcock, they usually get pretty excited.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like the Hitchcock film, the play takes place in and around London in 1935. Had you lived in that time, what do you think you’d have enjoyed most about the era?
ERIN GRACE BAILEY: The theatre! I think we’ve discussed before how much I love British comedy. Noel Coward‘s one of my favorite playwrights, and he was really starting to make a name for himself around this time. I would love to go back and see one of his shows. I often think about how exciting it must have been to get dressed up and go out and see a show, especially before television.

RAPID FIRE WITH PHILIP DAVID BLACK, THE 39 STEPS’ RICHARD HANNAY

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A quick peek at your show bio reveals that while you were recently an understudy in another area production, being cast as Richard Hannay in Playhouse 615’s The 39 Steps marks your Tennessee premiere on-stage. How has the experience been thus far?

PHILIP DAVID BLACK: It’s been great to act again. I used to perform a good bit right out of college, but it’s been a minute. Also, almost all of the acting work I did in times past involved travel to parts of the country where I had no family or friends, so it’s a special treat to get to play this part and have loved ones actually close enough that I can reasonably guilt trip them into attendance.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Richard Hannay to you?
PHILIP DAVID BLACK: He’s a lost soul. He’s a Brit that has been living abroad in Canada and has only recently returned to London. So as our story starts, he’s pretty isolated and out of sorts. Even though this story is set in the 1930s, I feel like he’s very relatable to today, when a lot of us find ourselves both isolated and a bit depressed. But he’s about to have an awfully big adventure.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As the show’s title indicates, much of the action revolves around a mysterious organization known as The 39 Steps. IF you were to found a mysterious organization of your own, what would it be called and what would its purpose be?

PHILIP DAVID BLACK: If I were to found a mysterious organization, I would never reveal its secrets. However, assuming I am too lazy to do so and/or I am not simply covering for a much more sinister organization I have in fact already started, let’s pretend it would be called the Brotherhood of Suspense. It would be a secret society of people who believe suspenders are better than belts and who signal their allegiance to each other with strange codes and seemingly insignificant hand gestures. We would exist to bring down the belt industry. And we would succeed.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Give me a plot summary in ten words or less.
PHILIP DAVID BLACK: Four actors. One hundred and fifty characters. Comedic adventure ensues.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences take away from The 39 Steps?
PHILIP DAVID BLACK: I hope that watching the cast run around like crazy people performing such a demanding show reminds them that life is an adventure, and that small groups of people can get a lot done when they work together to achieve positive things in the world. And I hope they laugh at the jokes.

Playhouse 615‘s The 39 Steps opens Friday, February 16 and runs through Sunday, March 3 with shows at 7:30p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday matinees at 2:30p.m. Tickets are $20 ($17 for Military & Seniors) and are available for purchase HERE, by calling the box-office at 615.319.7031, or at the door an hour before each performance.

Next up at Playhouse 615 is Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, on stage March 21 thru April 29. For more on the show and to keep up with Playhouse 615, check out their website or find them on Facebook.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with cast of IS Productions’ ‘Closer’; onstage at The Annex at Third Coast February 16 thru 24

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Earlier this week as cast and crew of IS Productions’ presentation of Patrick Marber’s Closer were preparing for their Friday, February 16 opening, I had the chance to chat with all four cast members about their respective characters, Marber’s though-provoking play and various aspects of love and relationships for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q. What follows are those conversations:

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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH THE CAST OF IS PRODUCTION’S CLOSER

RAPID FIRE WITH CLOSER’s ANGELA GIMLIN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While Nashville audiences have delighted for years in Inebriated Shakespeare’s barbs at The Bard, Closer marks the debut of Inebriated Shakespeare Productions’ aka IS Productions’ foray into traditional theatrical presentations. How excited are you to expand into this new endeavor?

ANGELA GIMLIN: VERY! IS Productions is the answer to a theater market saturated with incredibly safe and conventional shows. And while there is nothing wrong with that, more challenging, original and gritty shows are needed. I see more and more of it coming from Tennessee Playwright’s Studio, The Destiny Theater Experience, Women in Theater and others. I hope IS Productions will hold up with the ringleaders and call me- we’re happy to collaborate!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Researching to chat with you and your cast mates, I ran across an interview with Closer playwright Patrick Marber in which he describes it as a play about sex, love, loneliness and the need we all have to find a mate. What would you add to that?

ANGELA GIMLIN: Closer is certainly about that on the surface. It’s also about the exploration of these four people, who really aren’t good people, and how they handle romance, love, infidelity, dishonesty, and serious physical attraction. They’re all extraordinarily duplicitous and wreak havoc on one another’s emotions.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You play Anna. What can you tell me about her?

ANGELA GIMLIN: Anna never knows what she wants. Just when you think she’s decided on something, she waivers. When creating her back story, I sort of found a woman with some unhealthy emotional tendencies that have manifested into an emotionally wishy washy adult. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The show is being directed by Kurt Jarvis. What do you enjoy most about working with him at the helm of the project?

ANGELA GIMLIN: Kurt is a very open director and wants you to create and delve deeply into your character. But, he also pushes you- a lot. All he has to do is tell you that he needs more and somehow, you find it in yourself to give him that. He’s also supportive, relaxed and accepting of how his actors move the show.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Marber originally set Closer in 1990s London. Have you kept the setting the same or have you changed it?

ANGELA GIMLIN: We are still in jolly old England, but have set it in 2024. Marber’s script could honestly (and probably is) happening right now in reality somewhere in the world. It is very much a modern tale.

RAPID FIRE WITH CLOSER’s BRITT BYRD

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Alice to you?

BRITT BYRD: To me, Alice is the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope deconstructed. She’s often used as a mirror upon which the other characters project their insecurities, desires, pitfalls and progressions, but what she inevitably reflects back at them are some pretty brutal truths about their understanding of love, sex, and intimacy. And in her own pathological lying, I think she’s actually the most forthright of the foursome.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: It’s been a minute since I’ve seen you onstage. You gotta know I was thrilled when I heard you were part of this show. Are you enjoying this production?

BRITT BYRD: I’m thrilled to be back! This production has been such a fun exercise of muscles I worried were beginning to atrophy pre- and post-pandemic. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to stretch my legs again. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Alice, like the rest of the characters in the show, is involved with more than one person. Since no one reads my interviews, spill it…Have you ever juggled more than one romance at the same time?

BRITT BYRD: I was quite reckless in my 20s, yeah. But who wasn’t in one way or another? I learned a lot of hard but valuable lessons from sabotaging my own happiness in those days, and I like to think I’ve grown up a lot since then, so I cut Alice a lot of slack for her mistakes.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Can you describe each of your costars by using a single word each?

BRITT BYRD: Jeremy = Daring. Ross = Steady. Angela = Warm.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s the easiest way to get Closer to you?

BRITT BYRD: Tell me the difficult but necessary truth. Oh, and ice cream cake.

RAPID FIRE WITH CLOSER’s ROSS CANALES

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What is your favorite aspect of Dan, the character you play in Closer?

ROSS CANALES: Dan truly thinks he is in pursuit of true love. Unfortunately, he falls into the trap of “the grass is always greener on the other side”, but he genuinely wants to find true love to fill a void in his heart. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Were you familiar with the play prior to auditioning?

ROSS CANALES: I was not familiar with the play at all. Before accepting the role, I had to do a deep dive into the story to get a good understanding of what it would take to portray Dan. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Can you tell me the plot of Closer in ten words or less?

ROSS CANALES: Deception and distrust lead to relationship failure and worse. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: There are some very intense scenes in Closer. How do you prepare for such somber moments in the script?

ROSS CANALES: Preparing for the more intense scenes I really have to find private space to clear my mind and focus on being intentional with my emotion. Never having to deal with some moments like these in real life, I need the time in my own head to find a time in my life where I may have felt a similar emotion that could be used. If that isn’t enough, I try to find empathy for a person I know who has gone through something similar.  

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Seeing as how we’re just coming off Valentine’s Day, and Closer revolves around multiple relationships…What was the worst date you ever planned?

ROSS CANALES: The worse date I ever planned was back when I was in high school. I planned a movie date at a theater in a nearby town. I had dinner planned for after the movie, I bought flowers, and had a desert spot in mind. I showed up early to wait for my date who never came. I called her to ask if she was still planning to come. Turns out she was at a different movie theater that had a similar name 45 minutes away from where I was. Turns out, she was on a date with another guy and used that as the excuse. Oh, the drama of high school dating!

RAPID FIRE WITH CLOSER’s JEREMY JAMES CARMICHAEL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Larry to you?

JEREMY JAMES CARMICHAEL: Larry is all of us. He’s earnest in his attempts to make real connections, but his insecurities are cloaked in hyper-masculinity. He repeatedly misfires in his efforts to win people over; he’s fueled by his need for intimacy even when immediate gratification seems more exciting. He’s a dynamic character with redeeming qualities, though; the arc of the play explores his evolution from brute to prince via a charming series of setbacks.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Is there an aspect of Larry that you see in your own personality, whether good or bad?

JEREMY JAMES CARMICHAEL: Well… Larry and I look a lot alike. But in regards to personalities I hope people would see us as opposites; Larry is quick to put himself first, use others to get what he wants, and (in the beginning) has yet to learn how his actions and words affect those around him. He’s a middle-school boy in a man’s body. He is, however, charming and funny… handsome… very talented. It’s a real quandary as to where Larry stops and Jeremy starts. Ha!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: If you could play one of the other roles in the show, regardless of whether you fit the ‘type’ or not, who would it be and why?

JEREMY JAMES CARMICHAEL: It would be interesting to see a gender-bender version of Closer, and I’d like to play… Alex, the male version of Alice. She is by far the most complex character in the show. And I think Britt has done such a phenomenal job creating that character that there’s no way I could ever replicate her delivery, so I’d have to employ a completely different technique. That, and I spend an hour a day on the stairclimber so I could make good use of the stripper scene and why else am I doing all this work.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Closer is being presented at the Annex on the second floor above Third Coast Comedy Club. What’s the advantage of presenting this particular show in such an intimate space?

JEREMY JAMES CARMICHAEL: This show should ONLY be done in small, intimate spaces; the play is about the characters, their energy, their passions and their disappointments. The feelings are raw, and that translates better to an audience sitting so close. The audience is really a part of these character’s lives, and the smaller space allows you to feel uncomfortable watching the story; and all good art should make you feel uncomfortable at times.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re my last cast member to chat with for this Rapid Fire 20Q, so you get my usual final question….What do you hope audiences will remember long after having seen Closer?

JEREMY JAMES CARMICHAEL: I love a story that asks more questions than it answers; I think so much theater is formulaic that shows can become stagnant. The plot points go through the same expected litany of action and the resolution puts a nice bow on the ending. Closer shatters expectations and really forces audiences to ask: who are these characters, really? who is the villain? what are we willing to do for love? when is it OK to break the rules? what sacrifices are worth it in getting what you want? These are tough questions that Closer doesn’t answer, but may help you think about in new light.

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If you’re interested in getting Closer to the characters in IS Productions’ premiere presentation, CLICK HERE. Closer opens at The Annex at Third Coast (1310 Clinton Street, Nashville, 37203—second floor)  Friday, February 16 with performances continuing Saturday, February 17 and again the following week on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24. All performances begin at 7p.m. For more information or to keep up with what’s next for IS Productions and Inebriated Shakespeare, check them out on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire Q&A with ‘Girl From The North Country’ cast members Matt Manuel and Jeremy Webb; National Tour plays Music City January 30 thru February 4

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Girl From The North Country, written by Conor McPherson, and featuring nearly two dozen tunes penned by legendary singer/songwriter, Bob Dylan is a musical that takes place in midwest Duluth, Minnesota during the fall of 1934. While the show features Dylan’s music and is set in the musician’s hometown, it’s not a jukebox musical and certainly not a bio-musical. Instead, the plot introduces audiences to the Laine family, proprietors of a local boarding house that, like the rest of the country, has fallen on hard times. Among those taking up residence with the Laine family are a Preacher and a Boxer, played in the National Tour of Girl From The North Country by Jeremy Webb and Matt Manuel, respectively. As the tour cast and crew prepared for the show’s debut Nashville dates at TPAC’s Jackson Hall January 20-February 4, I recently had the chance to pose a few questions to Manuel and Webb for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire Q&A. What follows are those conversations.

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RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY’s MATT MANUEL

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Girl From The North Country takes place in Depression Era Duluth, Minnesota in the fall of 1934 and centers ‘round the inhabitants and visitors of a run-down guest house. The national tour kicked off at The Orpheum (a theatre Dylan one owned), not terribly far from Duluth, which also happens to be Dylan’s birthplace. Was it surreal to open the tour in this way?

MATT MANUEL: It was VERY surreal to open the tour up this way. I can’t think of a better way to have opened up this tour. The audiences really didn’t disappoint. They were with us in every show. From the moment we opened our mouths to sing the first song, to the moment we took our bows. If anything, I feel a bit spoiled by that experience!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In Girl From The North Country, you play Joe Scott, an ex-con/boxer. What more can you tell me about Joe?

MATT MANUEL: Joe was actually always a boxer! He had a promising boxing career until his wrongful arrest which caused him to lose everything. By the time you meet him in the boarding house, you see a man who is determined to rebuild his life. He stays to himself. He is incredibly respectful, but definitely not someone whose bad side you should ever end up on as audience members will see. There is also no coincidence that the softer side of Joe comes out in the presence of Marianne. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: When Joe shows up at the house, he’s traveling with a seemingly unlikely companion, the Reverend Marlowe, played by Jeremy Webb, who I’ll be chatting with as the second part of this Rapid Fire Q&A. What’s Jeremy like as a scene partner?

MATT MANUEL: Jeremy is one of the best humans in this business! On and off stage, we have a very close relationship. I can ask him advice or guidance on anything, and he will make time to sit with me. On stage, we have so much fun together playing off of each others acting choices. He is ever present and always ready for the curveballs we like to throw at each other. Offstage, we look out for each other and are very protective of each other, and when we hop on stage, we enjoy our very tennis-esc scenes where we volley our lines and physical choices back and forth to try and throw the other off. I could not have prayed to God for a better scene partner than the one I have been given in Jeremy Adonis Webb. Also, that is not his middle name. I just made it up!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While doing a little digging prior to our conversation, I discovered you and I share a degree of separation….American Idol! I was an assistant to the coordinating producer during the first two seasons back in the day, while you were a contestant in 2013. Stick with me here…How did trying out for Idol prepare you for auditioning and landing later gigs like Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud and your experience on tour with Motown the Musical?

MATT MANUEL: Wow! That is a cool degree of separation!!! American Idol actually helped me with my camera awareness as well as my mindfulness as a performer. There is so much more to being a performer than singing. A fun fact is I booked all three of those things in my hometown of Detroit at open calls. Playing David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud really made me put those things into practice. I had to learn how to be comfortable commanding a space and being front and center.

Matt Manuel in the GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY North American tour (photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade).

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of your previous experiences, the upcoming Nashville leg of Girl from the North Country won’t be the first time you’ve appeared onstage in Music City. You were one of the stand-out performances just two short years ago as Dustin, in the premiere presentation of May We All, which had it’s National debut at TPAC. What was your favorite aspect of that experience? AND…now that you’re familiar with Nashville, are there any things you’ll insist your fellow cast mates check out while in Music City?

MATT MANUEL: My favorite aspect of doing May We All was truly making friends. We had such a great cast! We enjoyed building that world together through our story telling and to this day, our group text thread is still active. Now that I am going back, I will definitely be getting some hot chicken and I encourage my cast mates to do the same! I may take a trip up to carter vintage and play some guitar as well!

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY’s JEREMY WEBB

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In researching to chat with you, I read one review of a previous production of Girl From The North Country that describes the character you play, the Reverend Marlowe as “non-practicing’. That made me laugh. Is that a fair assessment of the character’s current religious conviction? AND…what more chan you tell me about the Reverend?

JEREMY WEBB: Thank you so much for having me and for asking to do this interview about Girl From The North Country by Conor McPherson and Bob Dylan. I love your question about the character I play, The Reverend James Marlowe and the assessment suggested above! I like to think about James as a person who is doing what he must do in order to survive. We are in 1934, it’s the height of The Depression and there is no social safety net. James has had a tough life and selling Bibles is a transactional means to an end. And as I see him, he also has an authentic connection to the mystic and to spirituality. And while I agree that he is maybe not the most devout man of the cloth you have ever met, we have to remember the dire and strained circumstances of the play.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Girl From The North Country, at least in story and character, seems to be getting a bit of comparison Thornton Wilder’s Our Town…how do you describe the play yourself?

JEREMY WEBB: It’s the week before Thanksgiving at a boarding house in Duluth, Minnesota and a group of restless Americans gather by necessity and circumstance to share community, food, warmth and shelter. No one wants to be there, but everyone has a strong need that connects them to the boarding house. What transpires is a tale of love, jealousy, graft, mysticism and at its core, a perfect miracle.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I have a confession to make…generally speaking, I’m not exactly a huge Dylan fan. I KNOW…I KNOW…but, Will I be after seeing Girl From The North Country?

JEREMY WEBB: Of course you will! He is America’s troubadour! His lyrics won him a Nobel Prize IN LITERATURE! What a treat to get to experience Dylan’s remarkable gift for storytelling and his gut-punch lyrics in a fresh setting and sung by this astonishing company. Especially with these Tony Award-winning orchestrations and arrangements sung by Broadway’s Best! Wait until Matt Manuel sing his heart out and watch him act his face off! It is as if Dylan (who is all about reinvention anyway) has been reborn through this material.

Jeremy Webb in the GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY North American tour (photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

JHPENTERTAINMENT: If you could adopt one aspect of the Reverend’s personality and character into your own life, what would it be and why?

JEREMY WEBB: James’ badass hairstyle is key for me. I started out as a young actor in Drama School as very method-oriented and have become much more “outside in” as I have progressed through the many roles I have played in my career. When I settled into James’ badass hairstyle, something clicked for me. There is something telling and unique about the person who never feels the need to run a comb through his hair (we all know one!). So if I had to say, I’d say James’ badass hairstyle. It’s freeing! Less combs! More tangles!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I frequently like to end these chat with this…what do you hope audiences take away with them after having seen Girl From The North Country?

JEREMY WEBB: I know that this musical provokes conversation. On the way home from the theatre and the next morning as well. Don’t try to “get” it all: there is a lot coming at you from this boarding house… sit with us for 2 + hours and feel Dylan stir your soul. And then go away having one of those juicy conversations with your seat mate or family member that only a brilliant piece of theatre can inspire! 

Thanks for the great questions.

See you at the theatre!

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Indeed they will see me there, as I look forward to attending Opening Night of Girl From The North Country’s Nashville dates. Girl From the North Country plays TPAC’s Jackson Hall Tuesday, January 30 through Sunday, February 4 with evening performances Tuesday-Sunday and additional matinees both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.

Can’t make it to Nashville for these dates? Catch the show as the National Tour continues with upcoming stops in Greenville, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Tampa and more. Be sure and check out Girl From The North Country’s Official Site at North Country Tour, or follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

Following Girl From the North Country , TPAC‘s HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC season continues with TINA-the Tina Turner Musical, February 13-18. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. Be sure to check out TPAC online and on socials by clicking any of the following:  TPAC.org,  TPAC on Instagram,  TPAC on Facebook, TPAC on Twitter and TPAC on YouTube.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with director and cast of Circle Players’ The Lion in Winter; onstage at Looby Theater January 12-28

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If memory serves, it’s been since 2009-nearly 15 years-since Nashville audiences have had the chance to see a theatrical presentation of The Lion in Winter. All that changes Friday, January 12 as Circle Players presents the James Goldman-penned retelling of a certain drama-filled Christmas of 1183 hosted by England’s King Henry II, his long-imprisoned but still willful wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine and their children as the fate of this successor dominates the occasion. Directed by Clay Hillwig, Circle’s The Lion in Winter features among its cast, Jack E. Chambers as Henry II, Kay Ayers as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Elizabeth Burrow as Alais Capet. Recently, as the director and cast were readying the show for Friday’s opening, I had the opportunity to pose a few questions to Hillwig, Chambers, Ayers and Burrow for the latest installment of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20 Q.  

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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH DIRECTOR AND CAST OF CIRCLE PLAYERS’ THE LION IN WINTER 

RAPID FIRE WITH THE LION IN WINTER DIRECTOR, CLAY HILLWIG

JHPENTERTAINMENT: How did you come to direct The Lion in Winter for Circle Players? 

CLAY HILLWIG: It appears to have been destiny. I had originally agreed to direct the play Clue in this same time slot, which would have been a lot of fun. But, due to a Broadway touring revival of the show, the rights became unavailable. The board then asked me to submit a list of shows that I would be interested in. After putting a list together, which included The Lion In Winter, I knew that this was the only show I really wanted to submit. So, I took a chance and only sent them this show. I then offered to meet with the board to share my vision and why I felt so strongly that this show should be a part of their season. Within the hour, I received a response that they were submitting for the rights. Like I said…destiny.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What is is about this particular play that interests you as a director?

CLAY HILLWIG: I love plays that have a strong family dynamic. Even if the story is not necessarily directly centered around the family, I am generally moved with the relationship aspects of the story. A great example of this is The Godfather. While perceived to be a book and movie about organized crime, in reality the story was written about family. In this script, we see the power struggle within the royal monarchy, but the family relationships are the driving force within the story. Many of these same issues, can be found in the everyday lives of average families that we know or have experienced them first-hand within our own families. Parents struggling with their own marital issues. Children caught in between the two parents, all the while struggling to find their own identities in life. One of the most power scenes is the Father (Henry) and Son (Richard) conflict that many families know so well. One of the reasons that I felt strongly about the timing of putting this show up is the popularity of the HBO show Succession. The power struggle between the children within this media mogul family is very similar to what we see here in The Lion In Winter. Aside from the story line itself, it is the language is that I really love. Playwright, James Goldman has provided us with a script that is clever and very quick witted.  It lends to some wonderful interaction between characters and pacing that keeps an audience engaged. Besides, how can you not love Henry and Eleanor of Aquitaine?

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Many audience members, myself included may primarily be familiar with the piece thanks to the 1968 film adaptation starring Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole or perhaps the more recent 2003 Showtime remake starring Patrick Stewart and Glenn Close. When were you first made familiar with the play itself?

CLAY HILLWIG: In regards to the 1968 film, I saw this in the early 70’s as a teenager. Even then, I was fascinated with the characters and story line. And of course, the performances by both Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole are in my opinion some of their finest work. It was an ACT I production directed by Melissa Williams that first introduced me to the stage version. Brian Hill played Henry and the wonderful Maggie Bowden played Eleanor. It was a wonderful production. I left the theater knowing that I either wanted to play Henry, direct this show or hope for opportunities to do both. Not in the same show of course. Now I am blessed to direct the show and to be jealous of Jack Chambers for playing Henry all at the same time.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Playwright James Goldman based The Lion in Winter, at least in part, around Henry II and historical elements regarding his hopes of his successor. WIth that in mind, how important is it to you as a director to present the story as authentically as possible?

CLAY HILLWIG: It was important to me, to spend time in table reads and relationship building prior to putting the show on its feet. As part of our process, we spent a couple of weeks just working through the character dynamics of the script and how it relates to history. It was important for us to learn not only the events prior to our story, but also what was to come post-Christmas 1183. It was fascinating to learn where they had been and where the family ended up in history. Each actor was committed to taking  it upon themselves, to learn everything they could about their characters place in history. In relation to how this plays on stage, we put full trust in the playwright. Goldman did a wonderful job of representing the entire family. Each individual is well represented as far as their place within the struggle for succession to the throne. In my opinion, he puts a real emphasis on the struggle that Henry had in his relationship with his sons and the decision of who would succeed him in greater detail than the movies previously mentioned did.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences come away from The Lion in Winter remembering about this production?

CLAY HILLWIG: One of the most important things that I hope with impact our audiences, is that there is still a place for classic pieces of theater. We seem to have moved to the newer shiny productions, often leaving creative gems such as The Lion In Winter, not given the attention they deserve.

RAPID FIRE WITH JACK E. CHAMBERS, HENRY II IN THE LION IN WINTER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What is your favorite aspect of Henry II as he’s written in the script of The Lion in Winter?

JACK E. CHAMBERS: I love that Henry is a warrior, but he’s a word-wielding warrior with intelligence, strategy, cunning, and deadly humor in addition to being an actual soldier. The language of the play, especially the interplay between Henry and Eleanor, is just outstanding — some combination of the banter of 1940s comedies and the razor-sharp merciless attacks of Succession. He’s described as a phenomenal warrior, but all of the joy in playing him is in the satisfaction of the language, especially offsetting the fact that he’s starting to fade physically.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: During your three decades+ career, you’ve appeared in a number of Circle Players productions. What is is about Nashville’s oldest continuing theatre company that keeps you coming back?

JACK E. CHAMBERS: Circle is a Community Theatre in the truest sense of the word. I know folks whose Circle time goes back decades further than my own, and mine goes back 30 years at this point. I love the “all are welcome” spirit of a true Community company, and really selfishly appreciate that over those years, Circle hasn’t just been doing Oklahoma or Arsenic and Old Lace over and over — half the shows I’ve done with them were Nashville premieres.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: On the subject of previous Circle shows, back in 2010, you appeared in a production of The Grapes of Wrath, directed by Clay Hillwig, who’s directing The Lion in Winter. Are you enjoying working with Clay again and how is he as a director?

JACK E. CHAMBERS: I haven’t gotten to work with Clay since then — you end up in different places and it happens sometimes, right? — but I loved getting to pick right back up with him. Something I love about Clay is that he has the vision to imagine beautiful things *and* the skills to make them happen at the same time. He’ll throw out high-concept stuff, big-picture stuff, and also “hey just try this one little tweak” ideas, which is great. And again selfishly, when we did Grapes, I was a musician in the show as well, and pitched a mini-concert to him; we got to play period songs all through pre-show and intermission, which was a blast.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As the central patriarch, you share the stage with Kay Ayers as Eleanor, Henry’s Queen, as well as Elizabeth Burrow, Henry’s rumored mistress. What’s been it been like sharing the stage with each of these actresses?

JACK E. CHAMBERS: I’ve known Kay for most of the years I’ve been in town — we did And Then There Were None together back in 1997 — and have loved playing off her. She’s a match for anybody physically or verbally, with wit and spirit and daring. She’s great. I just met Elizabeth this past year, and she’s been lovely; Alais is the single-most vulnerable character in the show, but shows crystal-clear understanding of the goings-on around her and true strength to persevere, and Elizabeth has nailed that balance. She’s a total charmer.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A quick peek at your professional bio would indicate that throughout your stage career you’ve played a variety of characters often utilizing your prowess with varying dialects. The Lion in Winter being set in Medieval England in the year 1183, did the cast work with a dialect coach or were you each left to your own devices in that regard?

JACK E. CHAMBERS: I’d say it was some combination of “own devices plus tweaking as we went,” with additional discussions as required. Because we’re technically in Middle English, setting-wise, there’s a fascinating, not-historically-accurate-but-entertaining mix of Middle English, 20th century patter, anachronistic traditions, French terms and names and places, Shakespearean rhythms, Broadway Golden Age character types — it’s such a great stew. Although we didn’t work with a dialect coach, we did work with a linguistic consultant — a collaborator and friend of mine from college who’s an Old- and Middle English specialist — on people and place names, sources, literary origins for some of the references… it was fascinating!

RAPID FIRE WITH KAY AYERS, ELEANOR IN THE LION IN WINTER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In Circle Players’ The Lion in Winter, you play Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Iconic actresses Rosemary Harris, Joan Fontaine and Stockard Channing all starred in stage productions while Katharine Hepburn and Glenn Close lit up the big and small screens respectively in the role you’re now taking on. So, not only are you playing an actual historical figure, but one with a luminous stage and screen history. How excited are you to put your own spin on Eleanor?

KAY AYERS: Excited would be an understatement. Thrilled with a touch of gobsmacked is close to my emotion! When I received the casting call, I don’t think I spoke for 30 seconds. This really is a once in a lifetime chance. I’m so lucky that I’ve been given this opportunity. And yes, I’m experiencing a lot of nervousness to get this character “right”.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The Lion in Winter marks a bit of a homecoming for you, having made your Nashville acting debut back in 1994 in a Circle Players production. What was the show and what’s it like to be back with the company where it all started?

KAY AYERS: The Three Musketeers in Circle’s 46th season was my introduction to Nashville theatre and to Circle in particular. My first audition and show were in TPAC’s Johnson Theatre, where I went on to perform in numerous productions. Coming back to perform at Circle was a goal of mine for some years now. The stars aligned perfectly! Walking into the rehearsal space I helped move into, set up, and clean brought back a flood of emotions. We’ve lost so many of those individuals who gave their heart and soul to Circle over the years. I’m just blessed to have known most of the “old guard” and to have gleaned knowledge over the years, making me into the actress I am today.

 JHPENTERTAINMENT: In preparing to chat with you and your cast mates, I revisited the above mentioned 2003 telefilm. I love all the barbs and quick quips among the royals. Eleanor in particular has some great lines. My favorite, at least in the 2003 tv adaptation occurs in a scene involving Eleanor, John and Richard in which Richard threatens John with a knife. John says to their mother, “He has a knife”. Eleanor quickly replies, “We all have knives. It’s 1183. We are barbarians”. Do you have a favorite line in the show, whether it be yours or someone else’s?

KAY AYERS: Eleanor really does have the best lines! I relish several of those barbs she flings at her opponents! But one of the most deeply truthful lines, and weighty, is one that is delivered by Elizabeth Burrow, our enchanting Alais “I haven’t got a thing to lose: that makes me – dangerous.”  It’s so telling. All the other characters have a twisted and complicated series of moves they’re making. And here Alais stands, ready to take them all on. Because she really doesn’t have anything to lose and everything to gain. It’s just a powerful line.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: While you’ve shared the stage with Clay Hillwig in the past, this marks the first time he’s directed you in a show. During the rehearsal process, what is it about Clay’s directorial style that you admire most?

KAY AYERS: It’s crucial for an actor to bring their own creativity and artistry to a character or a scene. To be able to play and discover with my fellow actors is my favorite part of the rehearsal process. Clay allows us to do that. He doesn’t dictate or demand we do something. It’s a very collaborative process, and vital for successful production. Clay and I often laugh because I will throw an idea out, and then he shows me a note in his script with the exact same idea! It’s happened more than a handful of times!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Something I love about period piece dramas is the costuming. Add to that a royal aspect and that’s a whole other level. What can you tell me about Costume Designer Grace Montgomery’s choices for The Lion in Winter and in particular your wardrobe as Eleanor?

KAY AYERS: The whole concept for the production isn’t to be ostentatious. Yes, they’re royalty, they’re rich, but it’s still 1183. The entire family has gathered for the first time in a long while. Grace has hit the mark with an even level of embellishments for each character. Eleanor is in a deep red throughout the show. While all the others are in a jeweled palate, hers definitely stands out a bit more than the rest. Grace was so determined to find the right color on one velvet dress, she dyed it 4 times to obtain what she wanted!  And I couldn’t be more pleased. It really adds to the regality of the character.

RAPID FIRE WITH ELIZABETH BURROW, AlAIS IN THE LION IN WINTER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re playing Alais Capet in Circle Players’ The Lion in Winter. How familiar were you with the real-life Alais prior to being cast? AND..have  you researched the true history of the events within the play as you’ve developed your take on the character?

ELIZABETH BURROW: I did not know anything about Henry II nor Eleanor of Aquitaine before this show, let alone Alais Capet. I read that her mother, Constance of Castile, was the second wife of Louis VII after Eleanor and died giving birth to Alais. Her older sister Margaret was married to Henry III who died in 1183, the same year the play takes place, so there was a lot of pressure from the French for her to marry and keep the French-English alliance strong. After Henry’s death, Richard was no longer willing to marry her, so her brother King Philip brought her back to France where she married William IV Talvas, a small ruler of a French province when she was 34 years old.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Is there an aspect of Alais that you’d like to incorporate into your own life or that you feel you truly share with the character as she’s presented in this piece?

ELIZABETH BURROW: Alais is a very sweet soul who doesn’t have the same manipulative tendencies as the rest of the characters in the show, and her intentions are always for the well being of Henry, even at her possible detriment. I think it’s something that I and anyone can strive to emulate more in our lives. Alais and I both tend to wear our hearts on our sleeves, and it’s a joy to share that in common with her as she goes through so much emotional turmoil throughout the play.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I understand this is your first Circle show. Were you familiar with the company and how has the experience been thus far?

ELIZABETH BURROW: I had previously seen Peter and the Starcatcher (where I saw the brilliant Ezra High for the first time!) and their most recent production of Urinetown, but this is the first time I will be on stage for Circle Players, and it has been a wonderful experience to work with the cast and creative team. Being a smaller show than most, it brings a real sense of intimacy to the relationship not only between the characters but my castmates as well. It’s our own version of a family, though it resembles a much happier one than what we portray on stage.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: In addition to your on-stage role, you’ve also been part of the technical crew for The Lion in Winter, as scenic painter. What can you tell me about the set?

ELIZABETH BURROW: Clay is also our wonderful set designer for the show and approached me about painting for the stone walls backdrop that is a majority of the set. We wanted to replicate all the moodiness a medieval French castle offers as the single setting for the show, so most of the work was geared toward pulling out natural shadows that would occur in such a big and intimidating chateau. Like Henry, most of the set pieces are of a simple and non ostentatious nature, which assist in bringing a sense of reality and familiarity to the space.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Alais, you have two leading men, Jack E. Chambers as Henry II, with whom Alais is having an affair, and Sawyer Latham as Richard the Lionheart, with whom Alais has been betrothed since she was eight. Heck, even Ezra High’s John is interested in Alais. Of the three, IF you could choose who Alais ended up with, who would it be and why?

ELIZABETH BURROW: This is a difficult one. Many times in history, English royals have chosen heart over duty and sorely regretted their mistakes, and vice versa as well. As for John, I think she would’ve made a better babysitter than wife, though she possibly could have prevented some of John’s failures during his reign as king if he’d had a better companion to consult with. I am tempted to choose Richard as her husband as they could’ve lived their own separate lives and produced heirs and brought more stability to the kingdoms of France and England. However, I wouldn’t want to force that upon her, as she desperately tries to prevent the marriage from happening in the play (the heart wants what it wants.) I think her staying under Henry’s protection until his death was the right path to take, as I don’t think she ever wanted to have the title and power of Queen.

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Circle Players’ The Lion In Winter opens Friday, January 12 and runs through Sunday, January 28 at Z.  Alexander Looby Theatre (2301 Rosa L. Parks Blvd) (2301 Rosa Parks Blvd). Reserved seating tickets for The Lion in Winter are $27.  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. Following The Lion in Winter, Circle Players will present another rarely seen theatrical experience, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, onstage March 15-31. For more information and to keep up with the latest from Circle Players follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

If you’ve enjoyed this latest Rapid Fire 20 Q, be sure and CLICK HERE to check out previous conversations. if you are interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor, simply click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

 

Rapid Fire Q&A with ‘Funny Girl’ National Tour Stars Katerina McCrimmon & Stephen Mark Lukas; at TPAC’s Jackson Hall January 2-7

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Tennessee Performing Arts Center is kicking off the new year and the second half of their 23/24 HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC season with the Broadway hit musical Funny Girl. Based in part on the true-life story of popular vaudeville-era superstar, Fanny Brice and her oft-tumultuous relationship with charming but unsavory gambler, Nicky Arnstein, the National Tour of Funny Girl stars Katerina McCrimmon as Fanny and Stephen Mark Lukas as Nicky. Taking a break from their holiday time off, McCrimmon and Lukas kindly agreed to answer a few questions for my latest Rapid Fire Q&A before the show opens at TPAC’s Jackson Hall Tuesday January 2 with a run through Sunday, January 7. What follows are those conversations:

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Rapid Fire Q&A with Funny Girl stars Katerina McCrimmon and Stephen Mark Lucas

Rapid Fire Q&A with Katerina McCrimmon, Fanny Brice in Funny Girl

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re currently starring in the national tour of Funny Girl. Prior to being cast, how familiar were you with Fanny Brice, the multi-talented performer upon whom the musical is loosely based, AND…did you do any further research on her after being cast?

KATERINA McCRIMMON: Besides dialect work and learning the material, becoming Fanny came quite easily to me. We both have this drive and zest for life and we know that our purpose on this Earth is to share our gift in artistry and make people feel something. During the rehearsal process, I strived to always have fun like I know Fanny would and connect to the emotional life of Fanny through her fears and desires. I did research on her scanning through her videos and her biography, but I knew at the end of the day I had to trust in my essence and try not to be a carbon copy of her – especially since the show is so loosely based on her life. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s one aspect of the character of Fanny Brice that you hope to adapt in your own life long after the tour is over?

KATERINA McCRIMMON: Fanny Brice is one of, if not the hardest role in the musical theatre canon and I’m so grateful our creative team has entrusted me to portray her. She’s funny, powerful, wears her heart on her sleeve, and through playing her I’ve definitely learned to champion these things about myself.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Funny Girl features songs by Bob Merrill & Jule Stine. Among the tunes is Don’t Rain on My Parade. What’s the easiest way someone can rain on your parade?

KATERINA McCRIMMON: I’d rather focus on the positive – I think someone can easily make my parade through joy and laughter. It takes a lot to upset me – I just don’t think it’s worth my energy. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Within the plot, Fanny finds love with Nick Arnstein. In real-life, you’ve found it with your musician husband Matias Sanes, whom you married in 2021, so basically you’re still honeymooners as far as I’m concerned. While on tour, does Matias get the chance to occasionally fly to you? How are you staying connected?

KATERINA McCRIMMON: Matias and I are both artists in our own right and so we both stay quite busy and fulfilled in our own creative projects. He’s the bass player in many bands and one called Kore Rozzik has been consistently opening for Ace Frehley of KISS. We give each other space to explore our own artistic pathways and then once we’re aching for each other, we book a flight to reunite. I would say that happens every two to three weeks. It’s been challenging, but a huge opportunity for growth and I’m grateful for that. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Speaking of connections, your on-stage scene-partner Stephen Mark Lucas who’s playing Nicky, Fanny’s most infamous husband. I’m about to chat with him, so I’ll end my time with you by asking…what’s your favorite aspect of sharing the stage with Stephen?

KATERINA McCRIMMON: Stephen is such a dear scene partner. He’s always so sensitive and kind. We love to sneak jokes to each other onstage and we’ll always check in to see how our spirits are holding up. There was one day during tech rehearsal when he made me laugh harder than anyone else has during this entire process. I think it was a mix of the fact that he caught me off guard (Stephen is usually pretty serious) and that we were so delirious from a 10 hour day in the theater. I was still laughing at his joke the next morning. 

Rapid Fire Q&A with Stephen Mark Lukas, Funny Girl’s Nicky Arnstein

JHPENTERTAINMENT: I just chatted with Katerina and ended my questions for her asking her about having you as a scene partner, so I’ll start our conversation by asking you what you appreciate most about Katerina as your character Nick Arnstein’s tumultuous love interest?

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS: I’ve absolutely loved having Kat as a scene partner. Her vocal prowess and musicianship are unmatched- listening to her sing this score every night is heaven. In addition, she has a very raw vulnerability underneath all of that power that is so endearing. She is so connected onstage, and we always have each other’s backs.  It’s impossible not to fall in love with her. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Who is Nick Arnstein to you?

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS: I’ve really grown very fond of Nicky! He, like Fanny, is ambitious and hell- bent on succeeding at all costs. He is charming, funny, and very much a romantic. There is also a dark side to him and a rage simmering just below the surface of his polished exterior. It’s fun to play with that dichotomy. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Having understudied the role of Nicky on Broadway, are there nuances of the character that you’re enjoying discovering and developing as the tour continues?

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS: I have had a great time finding the humor in the scenes with Fanny. I guess my continued exploration is how to connect with his vulnerability in the second act as we see him start to unravel. I think it’s always interesting to find the humanity in a character who may be troubled- what drives someone to make mistakes when they’re humiliated or desperate? It’s finding that empathy again and again, as well as deepening the onstage marriage between Nick and Fanny that drives the story. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Is there a line, a scene or a song in the show that resonates with you personally?

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS: I love hearing the song People every night. It’s a very intimate moment between Nick and Fanny, and you can just hear the audience sigh with delight when she begins singing it. It’s really a beautiful moment. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What do you hope audiences come away remembering about Funny Girl?

STEPHEN MARK LUKAS: I hope that audiences can really enjoy the beautiful score by Jule Styne and a show that is an unapologetic love letter to the grandeur of Broadway. I hope they’ll take a heartfelt emotional journey with us. There is a lot that resonates today in this classic that everyone thinks they know-  Fanny’s journey is inspiring to anyone who has ever been told that they can’t or shouldn’t try to pursue their dreams. 

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With not a cloud in the sky an no chance of any rain on the parade of Funny Girl‘s Music City Opening Night, the people of Nashville are invited to find out they lyrical answer to What Do Happy People Do? when Funny Girl sets up shop at TPAC’s Jackson Hall Tuesday, January 2 through Sunday, January 7. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. You can also follow Funny Girl on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook or visit The Official Funny Girl site for more info on the show or future tour stop details.

Following Funny Girl’s January 2-7 Nashville tour stop, next up for Broadway at TPAC is a limited two-night engagement of the National Tour of The Cher Show with performances January 19 and 20. CLICK HERE for tickets or more info. Be sure to check out TPAC online and on socials by clicking any of the following:  TPAC.org,  TPAC on Instagram,  TPAC on Facebook, TPAC on Twitter and TPAC on YouTube.

As always, if you wanna follow JHPEntertainment to find out who I’m chatting with for my next Rapid Fire Q&A, or for my take on the latest local and national theatre, music and movie offerings, find us at JHPEntertainment on Facebook, JHPEntertainment on Instagram  and JHPEntertainment on Twitter.

Got an event or show we should know about, drop us a line at the Contact tab. Till then, #GoSeeTheShow!

Rapid Fire 20Q with cast of Studio Tenn’s ‘It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’; onstage at Turner Theatre December 7- December 24

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I can’t get enough of this time of year when even my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20Q gets into the holiday spirit. To that end, here’s another Christmas-themed Rapid Fire 20Q! This time I’m chatting with Geoff Davin, Caleb Shore, Mariah Parris and Gerold Oliver, cast members of Studio Tenn’s holiday offering It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, opening this week at Studio Tenn’s recently renovated and renamed Turner Theatre located inside The Factory at Franklin (230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN). Having first presented this unique adaptation of the familiar story of George Bailey and the folks from Bedford Falls in the winter of 2021, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play will once again delight holiday audiences beginning Thursday, December 7 and continuing for an extended run through Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24.

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RAPID FIRE 20Q WITH CAST OF STUDIO TENN’s IT’s A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH IT’s A WONDERFUL LIFE’s GEOFF DAVIN

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Among the characters you portray in Studio Tenn’s It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, you play radio station announcer Freddie Filmore. What’s one trait of Freddie’s personality that you’re enjoying exploring?  Side Note: Did you know Freddie Filmore is an apparent wink to I Love Lucy in that there was a recurring character with that name who was an announcer and TV game show host in several episode of the classic sitcom?

GEOFF DAVIN: First of all…NO I did not know that reference to I Love Lucy! I love that!!!

And secondly…what’s fun about Freddie is that there is something just so satisfying about leaning into that 1940’s radio announcer. There’s a warmth and home-iness to him that just brings to mind a family gathered around their radio, in front of their fireplace, the snow gently falling, the lights on the Christmas tree twinkling. While he is probably the character that I spend the least amount of time inhabiting, we come back to him every so often throughout the show. So he’s a wonderful reset button. A warm place to come home to after we’ve been all over Bedford Falls.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

GEOFF DAVIN: Definitely Christmas morning.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Rudolph or Frosty?

GEOFF DAVIN: That’s such a hard one. I love them both. But I’m going to say Frosty. Because while Rudolph leads the sleigh every year, and Santa couldn’t do it without him, old Frosty is around for only a short while. The magic in that old silk hat is fleeting. So we need to be a little extra grateful for the time that we have with him. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: 1987’s A Muppet Family Christmas or 2002’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie?

GEOFF DAVIN: Without a doubt, 1987’s A Muppet Family Christmas.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Favorite Christmas Memory?

GEOFF DAVIN: I was very fortunate in that my parents did many things right. But one thing they truly knocked out of the park was their ability to create Christmas magic. There are simply years and years of beautiful Christmas memories to sift through. The smell of the box of ornaments after a year in the attic, going door to door throughout our neighborhood to sing Christmas carols, the annual visit to the town center tree lighting ceremony/nativity viewing, running outside Christmas morning to find the bits of carrot that we left for the reindeer scattered around the yard, and of course the cookie crumbs that Santa left on his plate of cookies. And then, on Christmas morning, we couldn’t just run to the tree. Oh no! There was an order of business. We had to wait in the hallway. Then our parents would take us around to the room where our stockings were hung by the chimney with care…literally. And only after we were done there, could we enter the room with the tree. Even during the years when the family belt had to be tightened, the magic never wavered.

Then we would pile into the car to visit both sets of grandparents. But it wasn’t just the grandparents. Everyone in the family…aunts, uncles, cousins, would gather at those two houses. So we got to share the day with all of our extended family. The food. The conversation. The music. I’m actually getting emotional just typing this. I’m so grateful for the beautiful traditions that my parents created and gave to us. Because of them, Christmas will always be a magical time of year. 

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH IT’s A WONDERFUL LIFE’s MARIAH PARRIS

JHPENTERTAINMENT: This year you and a couple of your cast mates are returning to the roles you portrayed when Studio Tenn debuted their production of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. You’re cast as radio personality Sally Applewhite who then voices Mary Bailey in the station’s presentation of It’s a Wonderful Life. What’s it like retuning to the role?

MARIAH PARRIS: It’s an absolute pleasure. Performing this show two years ago really surprised me in that this story has stuck with me and permanently altered my heart. It helped reframe my personal views on community and inspired me to live a more connected life all year long. I’m excited to return to the role to refresh this lesson and I hope the audience will have the same take away! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Shared names not swaying your answer, who’s the real Christmas Diva…Mariah Carey or Michael Bublé?

MARIAH PARRIS: I think we all know Christmas officially starts the first time we hear All I Want For Christmas is You….enough said 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Do you prefer Santa in a full-length Victorian Robe or the more modern two-piece fur-trimmed suit? 

MARIAH PARRIS: Modern Santa all the way- you can’t tell me that the Victorian robe is practical for getting in and out of that sleigh! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The Santa Clause movies or Home Alone franchise?

MARIAH PARRIS: I grew up watching Home Improvement so it’s gotta be Tim Allen for me 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Favorite Christmas Memory?

MARIAH PARRIS: One year when I was still in elementary school, my parents surprised me with a super cool bunk bed that had a futon couch on the bottom. We finished opening presents and they told me to put my gifts in my room. When I opened the door there it was: the most beautiful big kid bed I’d ever seen. I still have no idea how they set it up without me noticing. Total Christmas magic. Thanks mom and dad! 

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH IT’s A WONDERFUL LIFE’s CALEB SHORE

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re back again having performed the dual roles of radio personality Jake Laurentis and It’s A Wonderful Life’s George Bailey. Revisitng George, are there aspects of his personality you are more conscious of in your portrayal this go-round?

CALEB SHORE: Finding George a second time means I get to pick up where I left off two years ago. Having Mariah Parris back as Mary and Gerold Oliver as Harry and Clarence make the process totally seamless. 

This time around I’ve peered deeper into George’s passions. His dreams are grand. His love runs deep. His willingness to go the extra mile wins the day every time. He’s smart and poetic, even when he lets his goofy side take the wheel. 

A character only gets to live as long as the actor inhabits them. We’ve now doubled George’s lifespan with me, so once I reacquainted myself with his voice and movement I got to let him walk around and see the world again. He gets more time to spend with his friends and his family.  He gets to fall in love, encounter heartbreaking loss, and discover himself more and more. Mariah and Gerold play characters George holds very dear. That they are back showing his world just as he remembers it makes the whole experience so rewarding.

Now I don’t know if any of this long-winded answer will be visible to audiences. They may come away thinking everything looks the same, and that’s okay. But for us, for me, every look and movement and sound carries more weight, because we’ve been around longer to live them. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Fruit Cake or Pumpkin Roll?

CALEB SHORE: Pumpkin Roll

JHPENTERTAINMENT: A Charlie Brown Christmas or The Nightmare Before Christmas?

CALEB SHORE: A Charlie Brown Christmas, but if we’re talking true favorites I have to mention Home Alone, The Preacher’s Wife, and Elf.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Old fashioned Christmas Tree decorations like strings of popcorn and paper chains or blinged out store bought fabulousness?

CALEB SHORE: Our tree is usually decorated with personal ornaments that remind us of times gone by. Anything we can find while traveling, we’ll buy to remember that trip.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Favorite Christmas Memory?

CALEB SHORE: One favorite Christmas memory I have is from the first Christmas after I got married back in 2015. My wife and I brought home our kitten, Cashew. I’d kept the secret for weeks and it was a terrific surprise.

RAPID FIRE Q&A WITH IT’s A WONDERFUL LIFE’s GEROLD OLIVER

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Like Mariah and Caleb you’re back at Studio Tenn, having debuted the role of Harry ‘Stacks’ Heywood in their 2021 production of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. What’s your favorite aspect of Stacks’ personality?

GEROLD OLIVER: The thing I like most about Stacks is that he’s a lot like me. He’s fun, he’s silly, and he doesn’t take himself too seriously.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The classic stop-action animated Christmas special, The Year Without a Santa Claus features the Miser Brothers…Heat Miser and Snow Miser…which would you prefer to be?

GEROLD OLIVER: Snow Miser! Definitely!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What one Christmas song truly embodies your thoughts of the holiday season?

GEROLD OLIVER: Any time you hear the first word of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas you know the song, the singer, and most importantly, you know the season!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Baked Ham or Turkey and Dressing?

GEROLD OLIVER: Baked Ham. Especially with honey!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Favorite Christmas Memory?

GEROLD OLIVER: I’ll never forget when I got both Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version for Christmas. Best day ever.

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With that, my conversations with the cast of Studio Tenn’s It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play drew to a close, but George Bailey’s life-altering adventures in Bedford Falls…and beyond, are just beginning as the show opens Thursday, December 7 at Studio Tenn’s Turner Theatre inside The Factory at Franklin. Showtimes are Thursday-Sunday evenings at 7:00p.m. with additional matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (On Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, the final performances will take place at the 2:00p.m. matinee…even George Bailey needs to be home for Christmas Eve night). Tickets range in price from $35 to $70. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Up next for Studio Tenn, the current season continues with Driving Miss Daisy starring Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress Sally Struthers as Miss Daisy on stage at Turner Theatre March 7-17, 2024! Struthers of course starred as Gloria Bunker-Stivic in TV’s All In The Family and counts among her may stage credits, starring alongside Brenda Vaccaro in Neil Simon’s gender-flipped version of his hit Broadway play, The Odd Couple. Taking on the role of Miss Daisy won’t be Struthers‘ first appearance at Studio Tenn as she was last seen on Studio Tenn‘s stage during the 2021/2022 season when she appeared alongside John Schuck in a limited engagement of  the two-person play, Love Letters. For tickets or more information on Driving Miss Daisy, CLICK HERE for tickets or more information, then be sure to check out Studio Tenn online at StudioTenn.com or on social media at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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