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Rapid Fire Q&A with star Joel Diggs and director Jon Royal; wrapping their ‘Topdog/Underdog’ run alongside star Eddie George at Nashville Rep thru Sunday, February 24

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For their February offering, Nashville Repertory Theatre has chosen playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ thought-provoking 2002 Broadway play, Topdog/Underdog. The debut production garnered the playwright the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the first such honor awarded a woman of color. The two-person story centers around brothers named Lincoln and Booth (obviously those names are no coincidence and not surprisingly, key to a certain plot point) as they face the day to day struggles of making their way, and their mark on the world; a world filled with preconceived notions and expectations for men of color. Eddie George, yes, THAT Eddie George, he of the 1995 Heisman Trophy, stars as Linc, the oldest of the two brothers, while gifted Nashville-based actor, Joel Diggs stars as Booth. At the helm of Nashville Rep’s production is director, Jon Royal. Royal previously directed The Rep’s Smart People last February. Among Royal’s other notable directorial efforts, Street Theatre’s brilliant 2014 production of Passing Strange and Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s Othello, which also starred Eddie George.

Always excited to chat about shows that are a bit unfamiliar to me, I recently had the opportunity to reach out to the stars and the director for the latest in my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20 Q. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, George was unable to participate. Thankfully, Diggs and the director were available, so I give you an abbreviated, yet informative and revealing Rapid Fire 13 Q.

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Diggs (left) and George (right) star as Booth and Linc in Nashville Rep’s “Topdog/Underdog” (production photos by Michael Scott Evans/courtesy Nashville Rep)

RAPID FIRE 13 Q WITH TOPDOG/UNDERDOG STAR JOEL DIGGS AND DIRECTOR JON ROYAL

RAPID FIRE WITH TOPDOG/UNDERDOG STAR, JOEL DIGGS

Joel Diggs

JHP: How familiar were you with the work prior to being cast as Booth in Nashville Rep’s Topdog/Underdog?

JOEL DIGGS: I was somewhat familiar, in that I knew of Suzan-Lori Parks, and that she wrote this great piece, but I had never read it. I did see the production with Eddie and Jeff Carr many years ago though.

JHP: What can you tell me about Booth?

JOEL DIGGS: Booth is deeply troubled, caused by his parents abandonment of he and his brother. He is a very impulsive person, who wants love so bad, he creates fantasies to fill that void.

JHP: While the playwright delves into more serious aspects of the brother’s relationship with each other, there’s still that unbreakable bond of brotherhood. In what ways does the dynamic between you and your co-star, Eddie George mirror that of the relationship between your characters?

JOEL DIGGS: He’s someone who is very well known, and I can see how that relates to Booth admiring Lincoln, because “Linc’s the Man!” Eddie and I are relatively the same age and have many things in common, as well.

JHP: Among the subplots, there’s the inheritances the brothers were left. While Lincoln opened his and spent it, Booth kept his, never opening it, which seems somewhat uncharacteristic for Booth. What’s the significance of this?

JOEL DIGGS: I believe Booth is trying to hold on to the memory of hope in his mother.

JHP: Other subplots deal with the brothers and their relationships with women, Linc’s wife, Cookie and Booth’s girlfriend, Grace, who are spoken of, but never seen. Why do you think the playwright chose to mention the women, but not include them as part of the cast. 

JOEL DIGGS: The women can be felt very strongly, but I feel the playwright may be showing the plight of the Black man in America, the so called head, being disposable, therefore dooming the entire family.

JHP: What is it about Booth that drove you to the role?

JOEL DIGGS: I know people like him, and the challenge of bringing him to life. 

JHP: The entirety of the play is presented as a two-man show. What’s the biggest challenge and biggest reward in sharing the stage with only one other actor?

JOEL DIGGS: The reward is getting to tell such a beautifully written story, and having to deal with so many layers, an actor’s dream. The challenge is the amount of work it takes to do that!

RAPID FIRE WITH TOPDOG/UNDERDOG DIRECTOR, JON ROYAL

Jon Royal

JHP: How did directing Topdog/Underdog for Nashville Rep come about?

JON ROYAL: Rene Copeland asked me how I felt about this script last February. I told her that I loved it! She asked if I’d be up for directing it about a month later.

JHP: From the beginning, did you have a clear vision of what you wanted for the Pulitzer-winning piece?

JON ROYAL: After reading and rereading the piece, I felt like I had a clear understanding for what the script was telling me it was about, but developing that is the biggest part of my job as the director.

JHP: What was it about Eddie George and Joel Diggs’ auditions that spoke to you as a director?

JON ROYAL: I’m pretty sure that Eddie and Rene had already talked about him playing Lincoln, so that meant that the search was on for an actor to play Booth. Joel is very natural onstage. They have great chemistry together.

JHP: How would you categorize you style of directing as it relates to Topdog/Underdog?

JON ROYAL: My style of directing for this piece has been about the beautiful delicious beats that Suzan has written.

JHP: Why is this play, and this production in particular, an important piece for the Nashville theatre community?

JON ROYAL: It’s important because this play is incredible. It’s such a densely, well written piece that connects with people across all walks of life. It’s been produced here twice and a playwright of Suzan-Lori Parks’ caliber should be presented to our local audiences even more. To Rene and the Rep’s credit, this is the third season in a row that this company has produced a play written by a black woman, as part of their season. I’ve been here all of my life, I’d say this kind of consistency is long overdue. 

JHP: What do you hope audiences come away from Topdog/Underdog feeling or contemplating?

JON ROYAL: I hope that audiences contemplate what it means to be in community with each other, as in we are all family. I hope we also look at what we’ve inherited from our birth families and what we’ve inherited from America.

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Nashville Rep’s Topdog/Underdog concludes its run at TPAC’s Andrew Johnson Theatre with performances Saturday, February 23 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and a final matinee on Sunday, February 24 at 2:30. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.

Following Topdog/Underdog, Nashville Rep continues their current season with Lee Hall’s stage adaptation of the popular film, Shakespeare in Love with performances March 23-April 13. CLICK HERE for tickets. To keep up with the latest from Nashville Rep, CLICK HERE, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If you’ve enjoyed this Rapid Fire, CLICK HERE to check out previous conversations with the who’s who of Nashville’s theatre scene.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram, and Facebook.

Rapid Fire 20 Q with ’Singin’ in the Rain’ director Jef Ellis and cast; at Art Center of Cannon County February 8-23

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Directed by Jeffrey Ellis, Singin’ in the Rain, opens Friday, February 8 at The Arts Center of Cannon County. With Jef at the helm, and a cast including Jeffrey Austin Smith, Lindsey Mapes Duggin, Daxton Patrick and Brittany Blaire Andersen, not to mention the musical is based on one of my favorite mid-century Hollywood movie musicals, you better believe I reached out to Jef and his lead actors for a chance to chat with them in my latest Rapid Fire 20 Q. As usual, Jef did not disappoint, expanding on each question with a plethora of knowledge and expertise. To coin a phrase used frequently by Jef, he’s one of my favorites…at least this week. So sit back, relax and enjoy a peek under the umbrella of Singin’ in the Rain.

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“Singin’ in the Rain” director, Jef Ellis

RAPID FIRE WITH SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN DIRECTOR, JEF ELLIS

JHP: Let me start by saying, because of our mutual admiration of classic movies and theatre, I always love chatting with you about your latest directorial efforts. How did directing Singin’ in the Rain for ACC come about?

JEF ELLIS: To put it succinctly, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse! I got a phone call asking if I would be interested in directing Singin’ in the Rain and was told that the role of Kathy Selden would be played by Lindsey Mapes Duggin, whom I had cast in her first show when she was eight years old: the balloon girl in Gypsy for my production for Circle Players’ 2000-2001 season.

The chance to work with Lindsey again after almost 20 years made my decision an easy one – plus, she is also my producer for this show, so we’ve really come full circle.

But it’s the score for this show – featuring many of the very best songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed – that really clinched the deal. How could I possibly pass up the opportunity to direct a show featuring some of my all-time favorite songs?
JHP: Speaking of the iconic film, there are certain sequences….the couch-ography during Good Morning and the literal Singin’ in the Rain that audiences expect. How do you manage to honor those beloved moments while also giving the audience something only a Jef Ellis production can offer?

JEF ELLIS: I’m so fortunate to have Maggie Richardson as my choreographer for Singin’ in the Rain…she loves movie musicals as much as I do, so audiences will be delighted by the sense of the familiar that she brings to these iconic musical moments in the show. But, as you would expect, I’ve added some touches of my own to set this production apart from others you might have seen. There are moments when you’ll see affectionate nods to some of the greatest comedy stars of old Hollywood: Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Groucho Marx and Jack Benny inspired me, as have The Little Rascals from the Our Gang comedies and even The Keystone Kops – you’ll see how they figure into the production.

I tend to tell a lot of stories while working on a show, serving as my own dramaturg, if you will. I was surprised how easily these stories came out in unexpected ways during rehearsal: Obviously, I’ve read a lot about the silent film era and the transition to talkies, and I’ve always been fascinated by how “normal, everyday” people became superstars in a time that movies provided an escape from the realities of life.

As you know, I grew up watching classic black and white films and if I had a dollar for every time I’ve sing Broadway Melody to my dog while we’re out walking, I’d be a rich man indeed. Those classic movies fed my imagination growing up and now I get to capitalize on all those vivid images that still are in my heart and my mind.

Our inspiration doesn’t come from just “movie stars,” like Theda Bara, Pola Negri, Gloria Swanson, Norma Talmadge, John Barrymore, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, John Gilbert and others of their ilk, however; I’ve evoked the names of directors D.W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille and King Vidor, producers like Mack Sennett and David O. Selznick, choreographers Hermes Pan and Busby Berkeley, and movie musical icons like Eleanor Powell, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Dick Powell and more.

All the minutiae and trivia that clutters up my brain is now paying off. In fact, I gave the note to an actor the other night at rehearsal: “Give me more Dick Powell.” He seemed to know who I was talking about and adjusted to give me just that.
JHP: Considering the above-referenced rain, I’d imagine this show could pose a potential technical nightmare. What’s it been like working through that aspect?

JEF ELLIS: No doubt about it, Singin’ in the Rain is a technical juggernaut of a show. Not only must we make it rain onstage – and it does! – but we also have fog, twinkling lights, the Hollywoodland sign in the distance, four (or is it five?) movies we made putting all our own stars to work in film, and so many other moving pieces of an incredibly elaborate puzzle.

Daxton Patrick, our very own Cosmo Brown, is our sound and lighting designer and film supervisor, so having him on-board has been particularly fortuitous: he listens intently, seemingly hearing every idea I throw out and he makes it happen! Our scenic designer Shane Lowery has created an art deco film temple, following up on my idea to create something timeless and very much of the late 1920s, design-wise. Jennifer Rice has given us a stunning black-and-white marble-looking stage floor and an expansive section of sidewalks outside Graumann’s Chinese Theatre, featuring the handprints, footprints and autographs of some of the first stars to be immortalized in the Hollywood firmament.

Another big part of Singin’ in the Rain is costuming. Our actors should be dressed like film stars of the late 1920s and designer Freda Mapes has given them the fashions of the period to help them find their characters more easily.

JHP: Unlike many theatrical musicals, Singin’ in the Rain was first presented as a movie musical in 1952, then adapted for the stage some 33 years later. Did its origin in film affect the way you approached it as a director?

JEF ELLIS: Of course! To be honest, Singin’ in the Rain has never been one of my favorite movies despite the fact I love all the music, which is a cavalcade of classic movie musical songs. As I began to research the show and to familiarize myself with the script (which is essentially the screenplay of the film and, therefore, not a straight book musical), I became enraptured by it and decided the smart thing to do would be to pay homage to all those legendary film personalities I’ve always admired.

Using them as inspiration, I was able to invite my cast to learn more about them, to steep themselves in tales of the golden age of Hollywood so that our production has a firm foundation. It’s been fascinating to introduce some of these movie legends to my cast and to see how eagerly they’ve embraced my ideas for the show.

As a result, I feel like the show – which is really a confectionary delight in many ways – has a more colorful and authentic basis that will resonate with our audiences.

Lindsey Duggin as Kathy in “Singin’ in the Rain”

RAPID FIRE WITH SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’s KATHY SELDEN, LINDSEY MAPES DUGGIN

JHP: I understand Singin in the Rain marks a bit of a reunion for you and Jef as your director, having been part of the ensemble when Jef directed Gypsy 20 years ago. You were only nine then, but do you remember your impression of Jef at the time, and does that first impression still hold true?

LINDSEY MAPES DUGGIN: Jef is one of those directors that you never forget working with. As a 9 year old just entering this magical new world of theatre, he made an incredible impact on me and what would ultimately become a career choice. What I remember most about working with Jef that first time 20 years ago, was his passion for theatre. He always encouraged the cast to do more than simply recite lines on the stage, but to actually engage the audience, bring them into our “world”, and tell our story. His passion was contagious! He was definitely one of the people that lit that first spark in me and encouraged me along my path. To say that he is the same now is an understatement. I feel like time has only magnified his enthusiasm! Working with him again is so special. It has been one of those “full circle” accomplishments that you don’t get very often in life, and I am thankful to have this experience.

JHP: You’re playing Kathy Selden, played in the film by the fabulous Debbie Reynolds. My love for her is evidenced by a prized possession, my vintage vinyl two-record set signed personally to me from Debbie with the inscription, “Jonathan, All I do the whole day through is dream of you”. So….knowing there are superfans, yours truly among them, How are you making Kathy your own?

LINDSEY MAPES DUGGIN: Kathy Selden is something of a dream role of mine, and I’m so excited to take it on! No one could ever replace or even compare to the iconic Debbie Reynolds in this role. That being said, I have definitely taken inspiration from, and plan on playing homage to her as I take the stage. Making a part your own is one of the biggest challenges an actor can face. Especially with a role that is so iconic! I have tried to bring Kathy to life by adding some of my own personality and really trying to relate to her. Kathy has a dream of becoming a great actress, she is creative and optimistic, and she has the drive and determination to make those dreams a reality. If I can live up to those characteristics, then I can bring some truth to the character and make her relatable to the audience as well.

JHP: Because the show takes place in earlier Hollywood years between silent films and talkies, the wardrobe has gotta be pretty awesome. What can you tell me about the costumes?

LINDSEY MAPES DUGGIN: The costumes have been spearheaded by my mother, Freda Mapes. She has helped costume almost every show I have been a part of since the beginning, and seems to have a natural talent for it. She was so excited to do this show knowing Jef would be directing! This show takes place in the late 1920’s with all the flapper glam and sparkle! It has been so fun to play with accessories like hats, gloves, furs, and feathers. Some of the cast has even gotten involved by adding pieces that have belonged to family members. One of our cast members is using his grandfather’s fedora and another is using some of her grandmother’s jewelry. It makes it so special when you can add personal touches like that.  I asked my mother what her favorite musical numbers have been to costume, and she replied Broadway Melody and Beautiful Girls.

JHP: In addition to Jeffrey Austin Smith as Don Lockwood, you also share the stage with Daxton Patrick as Cosmo Brown. Using only one word each, describe your two male counterparts.

LINDSEY MAPES DUGGIN: I think this may be the hardest question in the whole interview! Ha! This is my first experience working with Austin, and If I had to describe him in one word it would be brilliant! He carries the role of Don Lockwood so well, and It is also really great to work so closely with an actor that you trust. For Daxton, I think my word would have to be remarkable! He has worked as part of the Arts Center staff with me for several months, and already took the stage by storm in the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in our production of Million Dollar Quartet. This was a completely different role for him to take on! He jumped in head first, and never looked back. Let’s just say that I am an incredibly lucky lady to have two wonderful guys by my side in this show!

Brittany Blaire Andersen as Lina in “Singin’ in the Rain”

RAPID FIRE WITH SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’s LINA LAMONT, BRITTANY BLAIRE ANDERSEN

JHP: I love Lina Lamont, Singin’ in the Rain’s silent film star who probably should remain silent due to her Betty Boop-like voice. How much fun are you having playing her?

BRITTANY BLAIRE ANDERSEN: I am LOVING being a villain! I’ve never played such an unlikeable character before. It was a challenge at first, but I’m finding so much more depth to her in every run through. Her voice is soooo annoying! I didn’t have a hard time finding her voice, that was the easy part – incorporating her annoyingly nasal voice into a song was the biggest challenge for me! Every time I hear myself I apologize to everyone! Haha. But overall, I’m having a blast stretching myself into this larger-than-life character, while still trying to keep her grounded and authentic.

JHP: Like Jeffrey and Lindsey, you’ve also performed under Jef’s direction, having starred as Sally Bowles in Chicago a couple years back. Since Jef is notorious for proclaiming his ‘favorites’, what’s your favorite thing about him as a director?

BRITTANY BLAIRE ANDERSEN: I love Jef! I’m honored that he has enough faith in me to cast me in such challenging roles! I think my favorite thing about him as a director is how passionate he is about theatre as an art form, as well as the historical knowledge he has about the shows he directs. Knowing the historical context of any production, within its story as well as within the time the production was conceived, is hugely important as an actor.

JHP: One of my favorite aspects of the stage version of Singin’ in the Rain is the presentation of silent movies that’s usually included. I guess I love it and this musical in general, because it combines my two favorite things…movies and live theatre. I saw on social media that you guys shot your silent scenes recently. What can you tell me about that shoot day?

BRITTANY BLAIRE ANDERSEN: Isn’t that such a cool aspect of this show? That was such a fun day! We went to Centennial Park and shot a few scenes. Some lady asked us to take a pic with her, haha. We were quite the spectacle. We then finished up in Woodbury. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard at a film shoot, ever! It was so much fun! Definitely a highlight of this production. And Dax did SUCH an awesome job filming and editing! I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

JHP: Alright…my last question with you, so it’s multi-part one…The soundtrack to Singin’ in the Rain is simply magnificent. Prior to joining the cast, did you realize most of the tunes had appeared on other films years before appearing in the 1952 classic? Did you go back and check out clips of any of them? And lastly….what’s your favorite musical moment in the show?

BRITTANY BLAIRE ANDERSEN: I have always loved this musical and its music. This may have been one of the first musicals I’ve seen in my life. (Thanks mom and dad!) I had not realized the songs were in other films! I’m definitely going to go check that out NOW! My favorite song from this show has always been Good Morning! It’s just such a well-written song and such a great moment in the show. Of course, Singin’ in the Rain is a classic and Austin does such a fantastic job with it!

RAPID FIRE WITH SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’s COSMO BROWN, DAXTON PATRICK

JHP: You’re playing Cosmo Brown, Don Lockwood’s best pal. What traits of the character do you hope others see in you?

DAXTON PATRICK: Cosmo Brown is a very goofy and fun loving character but he has a serious side when it comes to his work. I hope that the audience can see him draw that fine line because in this story Cosmo drives all the creative decisions that are made to make the travesty that is the Dueling Cavalier into the masterpiece that the Dancing Cavalier is. If you pay attention, this story shows the rise and struggle of certain people in the movie industry when talkies took storm in the late 20’s and I would like to think Cosmo was one of those to rise to the occasion.

JHP: I understand you came into the role after a necessary cast change. What about your co-stars made that an easy transition?

DAXTON PATRICK: How I came into this role was completely unexpected. I started as only the sound designer for the show when I was asked to be in ensemble and before I knew it I was one of the 3 main characters. It was scary but I was up for the challenge. My costars have helped ease me into this with their kindness and encouragement and even the production members have helped me achieve this role with their belief in me and positive words. I am thankful for those talented people who I have the honor of sharing the stage with.

JHP: In addition to playing Cosmo, you’re also the show’s technical director. As I mentioned when I spoke with Jef, it’s definitely a tech-challenging show. What technical aspect are you most pleased with?

DAXTON PATRICK: I had a hand in lighting, sound, and video programming of this show and the script calls for tons of technical aspects but considering it is a show about movies it seems fitting. As a recent graduate of the MTSU film program, I couldn’t have graduated without my knowledge of technology. Film is very much so reliant on technology so it makes sense that a musical about such a thing is so technically challenging. I am most pleased with how the old films that will be projected came out. It’s the little details such as the sound quality and the frame rate of the films that help throw the audience back into the early 20th century cinemas.

JHP: A key element in pulling off technical marvels in a stage show must involve plenty of consults with the set designer, in this case, Shane Lowery. What can you tell me about Shane’s design?

DAXTON PATRICK: I mostly ran into dealing with the set when it came to two things. The rain mechanism and the lighting design. The rain mechanism was built and designed by Shane himself. I just helped install it, but I did have to set some boundaries before the machine could even be built. I had to study the grid above the stage to decide where the best place would be to place this type of thing. Where we could hang something that sprayed water that was far enough away from all the tech we had mounted in order to not break any of it. Shane’s rain mechanism works wonderfully with his beautiful set. His set design made it easy to design the lighting for the show. The simplistic but elegant design left me plenty of options to do what I would like with the lights. Considering there was no color to the set, it left the color up to me with the lighting design. I didn’t have to worry about colors from the LEDs clashing with certain colors on stage and it really leaves me open to the entire color spectrum. Everyone will be dazzled by Shane’s amazing design!

Dax Patrick and Austin Jeffrey Smith as Cosmo  and Don in “Singin’ in the Rain” (all photos by John Goodwin Photography)

FIRE WITH SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’s DON LOCKWOOD, AUSTIN JEFFREY SMITH

JHP: Since I only have four questions with each of you and you’re my final interview this go-round, let’s start with a three-parter. How many shows have you appeared in under Jeff’s direction?….what keeps you coming back to work with him?…and…are you indeed his favorite?

AUSTIN JEFFREY SMITH: Singin’ in the Rain will be my seventh show under the direction of Jeffrey Ellis. Many people, both professional and community theatre alike, when asked about why theyPersonally, theatre has changed my life by story telling. Every musical is a story in which the author(s), composer(s), and choreographer(s) have combined their full creative expression to create such a wonderful, transformative world in which an imaginative, sometimes true, story comes to life.

Jeffrey Ellis as a director does this wonderfully. In every show I have been able to work with him, he has always strived to get the story to come alive more than just people on stage, in costumes, speaking lines with expression and randomly dancing.

Jef’s ability to transport an the entire audience night after night into any world comes from his direction of the actors and the use of the set. His collaboration with the set designer has never ceased to amaze both actors and audiences in the ability to time-travel and place you in the story, before a word or note had even been struck. Jef also treats everyone with the attitude and mentality of professionalism. Whether an actor is striving to become a professional, is a professional or just enjoys doing community theatre as a hobby; you will get treated no less than a professional actor.

Jef has said many, many times in various rehearsals for shows, that Theatre is a wonderful thing. Where else can you go to escape the world for two or threes hours, not even batting an eye at how long you have been sitting, and leave with a completely different demeanor or idea of the world than when you entered? This is the true magic of theatre, something Jef achieves through not only strong direction but also by entrusting in his cast and crew to come together and present a collaborative effort of a show and our art. This is why I love any chance to work with Jef; his professionalism, passion for his art and theatre, and his transformation of script to stage.

Now, in regards to being “Jef’s favorite”, I must say that anyone who knows Jef, knows he loves people. True favoritism is not shown in his personality. So whether I am his favorite, the world may never know! However, I will say this; I am honored to work with him as one of my mentors and proud to call him a fierce friend.

JHP: This show is physically demanding.  How much time will you have put into choreography rehearsal and prep by opening night?

AUSTIN JEFFREY SMITH: We have been in rehearsals for a little over two months but including outside dance practice, line memorization,  and musical practice it’s a lot! The real people are our set builders, costume designers, and musicians. They are really the ones who put in way later hours, sometimes all night just to get the show ready. When a cast leaves rehearsal one night and comes back the next night to an almost complete set, believe you me it is nothing short of impressive and gratefully appreciated. The combined amount of time we all have put into this show is unfathomable  but in the end our grand result is worth every second!

JHP: Be honest, prior to being cast, had you ever tried a little Singin (or dancin) in the Rain?

AUSTIN JEFFREY SMITH: I’m sure in my youth I played and danced in the rain at some point in my life. I can recall a time in college where during a performance outside, it began to rain. As I’ve come to learn, both in life and stage, the show must go on! Rain has never bothered me, other than being cold when you walk into the grocery store and suddenly your shivering. If this lovely show, as well as portraying Don Lockwood has taught me anything, it’s that singing in the rain is much like stopping to smell the roses, it is something in life that’s worth doing again and again.

JHP: As mentioned above, Don Lockwood, the role you’re playing in Singin in the Rain was made legendary by Gene Kelly in the original film. What’s it like putting your own spin on such an iconic character?

AUSTIN JEFFREY SMITH: It is always an amazing ride to become any character, but this one has been incredible. Don goes through a lot of emotions throughout the show, as we all do in one day sometimes. Throwing myself into Don Lockwood is no less of an emotional rollercoaster every night but why do we ride such a thrilling ride? For the fun of it!  As you put it, Gene Kelly’s performance as Don Lockwood is legendary, and no less some big shoes to fill. For me, Don has a special place in my heart because of his charm and charisma. Old Hollywood films always have these big over-lavished environments and emotions that are true to the feeling. Making this believable in 2019 is nothing short of difficult as movies, tv series and books today have made old romances like Singin’ in the Rain laughable or silly to most. Yet, the emotion is just as strong and whether people admit it or not it’s how we all feel. Jef opened my eyes to something about musical theatre in our first production together but it especially rings true with old movie musicals. When a person or an ensemble, be it stage or movie musicals, suddenly burst into song, many find that strange and non-life like. Really though, it is just the absolute explosion of emotion. Singing and dancing comes when emotion can not be expressed any other way but to expose oneself entirely. Many fans of Singin’ in the Rain will recall the song You Were Meant For Me. This is a song in which Don does just as I’ve described. I won’t go into any more details of course, you’ll just have to come see our show to find out!

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Beginning Friday night, February 8, audiences will have a chance to revel in the joys of Old Hollywood as only director Jeffrey Ellis could envision when Singin’ in the Rain debuts at The Arts Center of Cannon County (1424 John Bragg Highway, Woodbury, TN) with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Saturday, February 23. Tickets are $15 for Adults, $13 for Students and Seniors (65+) and $12 for groups of 10 or more. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information or check out The Arts Center of Cannon County online or on Facebook.

Rapid Fire 20 Q with cast and crew of Studio Tenn’s ‘Always…Patsy Cline’; at The Factory at Franklin’s Jamison Theatre February 8-24

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Megan Murphy Chambers and Melodie Adams star in Studio Tenn’s “Always…Patsy Cline” (all photos by MA2LA courtesy Studio Tenn)

For their current production, Studio Tenn is tackling one of Music City’s favorite jukebox musicals about one of Nashville’s favorite legends as they present Always…Patsy Cline onstage at Jamison Theatre at the Factory in Franklin from Friday, February 8 thru Sunday, February 24. Created and originally directed by Ted Swindley, Always…Patsy Cline weaves together a unique story of friendship between Patsy Cline, the iconic country singer and a fan, Louise Seger, who continued their bond by way of a series of letters written between the two after meeting in Texas honky tonk after one of Cline’s shows. As Studio Tenn prepped for opening night, I recently had the chance to chat with the show’s director, Benji Kern, costumer, Blake Danford and stars Megan Murphy Chambers and Melodie Madden Adams for the latest edition of my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20 Q.

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RAPID FIRE WITH STUDIO TENN’S ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE STAR, MEGAN MURPHY CHAMBERS

JHP: Was playing Patsy a role that was on your radar prior to Studio Tenn announcing their production?

MEGAN MURPHY CHAMBERS: Honestly, no. Since the show’s never been done in Nashville outside of the productions at the Ryman, I didn’t anticipate getting to take a crack at it.  And I’m absolutely delighted to have been wrong about that! Patsy is proving to be a stretch and a challenge in all the best ways.

JHP: Alright, I gotta ask. You may or may not know, but Mandy Barnett is a good friend of mine. Of course she is known for her portrayal of Patsy in playwright Ted Swindley’s legendary mountings of the show here in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium. That said, what’s it feel like not only taking on this role, but doing it here, where you’ll no-doubt not only play to fans of Patsy, but also fans of Mandy and her portrayal?

MEGAN MURPHY CHAMBERS: I’m doing my best not to approach it from a place of comparison – it would be foolish indeed to use either of those ladies as a yardstick against myself, so I’m doing my best to go after it the same way I do any other role. Both Patsy and Mandy are Nashville icons, so I’m paying homage, looking at it with fresh eyes, and trusting Benji and Jason Tucker, the show’s musical director, to help me wring every bit of joy and musicality from the material that I can!

JHP: Speaking of friends, opposite your Patsy, you’ve got Melodie Madden Adams as Louise. I first became familiar with you both at Boiler Room Theatre several years ago. Is that when you two met?

MEGAN MURPHY CHAMBERS: It was! We met after getting cast in Guys and Dolls in (I think?) 2003 and clicked instantly.  Melodie is so hilarious, generous and talented, and we are laughing our asses off every day during rehearsal. I feel unbelievably secure on stage with her, and it’s such a boon to the show to get to skip the “getting to know you” portion of the process. Our friendship let us get right to the good stuff!

JHP: As far as Patsy’s stage clothes, you could say she had two distinctive looks, cowgirl and country queen. From what I’ve seen in promo pics, costumer Blake Danford has recreated some of Patsy’s iconic looks. What’s your favorite?

MEGAN MURPHY CHAMBERS: Way to give me a Sophie’s Choice question, Jonathan All of my costumes are being designed and built for me by Blake Danford and Allison Hearn (wardrobe supervisor), which [swoooooooon] and they’re all going to be spectacular. That said, that red cowgirl getup is beyond dreamy, and I have a feeling my little black number will be one that I want to sneak into my purse on closing night.

JHP: Had Patsy not met her untimely death at what was still the height of her career and popularity, do you think her star would have continued to burn bright, or would her fame have faded?

MEGAN MURPHY CHAMBERS: THE BRIGHTEST. Patsy’s talent was too massive for her to have faded into the background. I imagine her being a Dolly, Loretta, or Cher type; she was already a bit of a shape-shifter, and knew how to ride the wave of popular interest. I can see her enduring and evolving stylistically, and mentoring and collaborating with future generations of performers. She sang with such depth and feeling in her twenties – it haunts me to think what kind of intensity she could have served us with another 30 years under her belt.

RAPID FIRE WITH STUDIO TENN’S ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE STAR, MELODIE MADDEN ADAMS

JHP: I mentioned when I spoke to Megan that you two have a long history of sharing the stage, both in theatrical and music endeavors. How has your off-stage friendship enhanced your portrayal of the friendship between Louise and Patsy?

MELODIE MADDEN ADAMS: Honestly it really felt like such a head start on the process. Megan and I joke that we can almost speak to each other onstage telepathically and so it’s helpful with a show that is so centered around such an established relationship.

JHP: Of course the two of you also frequently share the stage as part of MAS Nashville. So you know I gotta ask…when are we getting more from MAS?

MELODIE MADDEN ADAMS: I hope really soon, but for now it’s really fun to support each other with all of our other projects we have going on!

JHP: Were you a fan of Patsy Cline’s music prior to being cast in Studio Tenn’s Always…Patsy Cline?

MELODIE MADDEN ADAMS: I was familiar with her songs for sure, but I wouldn’t call myself a fan. Even in the short time we have been rehearsing I see why her music touched so many people.

JHP: The play was inspired by Louise and Patsy’s friendship and correspondences. When’s the last time you wrote someone an actual letter?

MELODIE MADDEN ADAMS: Does a thank you note count? If not, it’s been awhile, but I’m lucky to have friends who still enjoy writing actual letters. One being Megan!

JHP: While the show is predominately about the music, by the nature of Patsy’s real-life story, there’s plenty of emotional moments. I’ve seen Always…Patsy Cline more times than I can remember, and it never fails. During key scenes, my eyes always ‘sweat’. How do you play those emotional moments night after night?

MELODIE MADDEN ADAMS: I approach those key scenes by channeling my own life experiences that relate to what’s going on onstage. For me, I really connect with the moments when you see Patsy as a mother and when she talks about her baby boy. It always makes me think of my little boy back home.

RAPID FIRE WITH STUDIO TENN’S ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE COSTUMER, BLAKE DANFORD

JHP: Having created the costumes for Studio Tenn’s Beauty and the Beast, as well as assisting on consuming for last year’s breathtaking debut of Frankenstein, you’re back for Always…Patsy Cline. How many costumes have you created for this jukebox musical?

BLAKE DANFORD: Patsy has about seven costumes, Louise stays mostly in the same look, and the band members each have one look! So about fifteen total.

JHP: What went into researching wardrobe options for Always… Patsy Cline?

BLAKE DANFORD: The great thing about creating costumes based on something someone wore so “recently”, historically speaking, is that there are a plethora of photos of the original looks, and many of them are still in existence! That definitely makes research easier, as all of that information is quite readily available. In addition to just specifically researching Patsy’s clothes, a lot of care was done to understand the era as well to influence Louise and the band.

JHP: I’ve seen promo pics of Megan in the iconic red and white cowgirl outfit. While it’s instantly recognizable, there are some subtle differences from Patsy’s actual outfit. As a designer, how do you decide when to not simply duplicate an iconic look, but rather honor the original while adding your own touches?

BLAKE DANFORD: Thank you for noticing the differences! Something I hold dear to my heart in every project I do is honoring expectation. So, I kept all the key points, (red, cream, fringe) and took the opportunity to “crisp” it up a little bit. The original was just a shirt tucked into a skirt, whereas ours is built as a jacket. The material in the original is a light cotton, where ours is a denim. It’s details like these that I feel lends a sense of gravity to the character, and convey the “character” of Patsy.

JHP: I saw on Studio Tenn’s social media that some of those involved in the show recently visited the Patsy Cline museum. From what I understand, this was after you had already designed much of the wardrobe for the show. Are you glad you waited until after you created your own versions of the iconic wardrobe?

BLAKE DANFORD: As I said previously, in the era we are in, photos of these pieces are quite readily available online, so I was able to get most of the information I needed ahead of time. It was, however, such a thrill to see those pieces in person and see the things that I got correct in my research!

JHP: In keeping with the letter writing theme that was the springboard for the creation of Always…Patsy Cline, if you could write Patsy a letter, what would you ask?

BLAKE DANFORD: Oh goodness, that’s a tough question! I don’t know that I would necessarily have one specific question, but I would love to be able to exchange letters with Patsy, herself. It would be an absolute treat to get to chat with her and hear the stories that she accumulated in her life.

RAPID FIRE WITH STUDIO TENN’S ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE DIRECTOR, BENJI KERN

JHP: Always…Patsy Cline is kind of unique in that it’s a two-person musical (plus a small band). For Studio Tenn’s production you’ve cast two of Nashville’s favorites, Megan Murphy Chambers and Melodie Madden Adams. You’ve worked with both actresses in the past. Tell me what it is about each of them that embodies the characters of Patsy and Louise?

BENJI KERN: The friendship between Patsy and Louise was really important to me coming into the production. Not only are Megan and Mel both insanely talented, but they have an offstage friendship that has created a wonderful chemistry between the figures they are portraying. Megan has a natural ear which is key to shows where you are embodying an icon. She also has the smarts to pay tribute and honor Patsy which is important as trying to do impersonations will always fall short. Mel is a fantastic story teller, inviting, and captivating. So it just made sense that these intrepid women would take on these roles.

JHP: In addition to the leading ladies, Always…Patsy Cline features a six-person band. Seeing as how the songs are nearly as vital to the story as the dialogue, and again, because Nashville is Music City, who’s musical director and who’ve you got in the band?

BENJI KERN: We are excited to be working with Jason Tucker as the music director for this show. It’s an honor to have him join the Studio Tenn family. In addition to being music director, Jason will be conducting and playing piano. Joining him are steel guitarist Michael McElravy, guitarist Lindsey Miller, bass player Luke Easterling, drummer Ben Andrews and fiddler Cassie Shudak.

JHP: Several people connected to Patsy Cline, including family members, still live in the area. Since Studio Tenn is just minutes from Music City, any chance you’ve reached out to any of them to extend an invite during the run of the show?

BENJI KERN: Yes!  We have had the great fortune to work with The Patsy Cline Museum.  In addition, one of our Board of Directors, Larry Westbrook’s father did Patsy Cline’s taxes.  He has been in contact with the family on Studio Tenn’s behalf.

JHP: The story of Always…Patsy Cline is told through the eyes of Louise Seger, a fan who randomly struck up a friendship with the star and continued that relationship via a series of handwritten correspondences. Have you ever written a fan letter, or, I guess in today’s terms…a fan email?

BENJI KERN: I have not written a fan letter in the Louise terms, but I have reached out to people via my Instagram handle.  Let me tell you, I’ve freaked out when they have responded.

JHP: Just last year, Always…Patsy Cline celebrated its 30th anniversary, Ted Swindley having debut the work back in 1988. What is it about Patsy’s music and this play that endures?

BENJI KERN: Patsy was the entire package. She was a star, captivating audiences with her earthy and authentic energy and incredible voice. She was a trail blazer, paving the way for female artists, making her way into the boys club in the music industry and holding her own.  We all know Crazy which is the number one played Juke Box song of all time. Her music continues to speak to audiences not only because of her iconic voice but most importantly, the way she told a story with each song.

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Audiences will have a chance to see exactly what Benji meant by saying, “the way Patsy Cline told a story with each song” when Studio Tenn’s Always…Patsy Cline plays Jamison Theatre at The Factory at Franklin (230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN) from February 8-24. Shows are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $30 to $87.50. CLICK HERE for more information or CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Following Always…Patsy Cline, Studio Tenn will continue their 2018-2019 season with The Sinatra Legacy: A Musical Tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes onstage at the historic Franklin Theatre in Downtown Franklin March 13-17. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.

In the meantime, be sure to check out Studio Tenn online at StudioTenn.com or on social media at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook.

Rapid Fire 20 Q with director, set designer and cast members of Circle Players’ ‘Avenue Q’; on stage at Looby Theatre January 10-20

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With Circle Players’ Avenue Q opening Thursday, January 10, I thought it would be fun to chat with the show’s director, set designer and members of the cast for my latest Rapid Fire 20 Q. Fair Warning, much like the show itself, the following interviews aren’t exactly 100% kid friendly. (How’s that for extra incentive to read on?)

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RAPID FIRE 20 Q WITH CAST & CREW OF CIRCLE PLAYERS’ AVENUE Q

RAPID FIRE WITH AVENUE Q DIRECTOR, BRIAN JONES

JONATHAN H. PINKERTON: Earlier this theatre season, Circle Players presented one of the first of many area productions of Newsies and now you’re directing Avenue Q, another show that’s proven to be popular with Middle Tennessee theatre companies. What about Circle’s Avenue Q will make it stand out amongst the rest?

BRIAN JONES: When we chose this show over a year ago, we didn’t realize that so many other theatre companies, including a local professional company, would also be producing the show. As such, we decided to think outside of the box to  give our audiences an alternative view of the show. Working with my incredible set designer, Jim Manning, we were able to develop a concept that is a fresh take on the show but still pays homage to the original designs that everyone typically uses. Additionally, we casted this show a bit larger than is traditionally done instead of double casting many of the puppet roles to give more people an opportunity to be a part of this fun show. Overall, we think we’ve put together a show that audiences will love.

JHP: Many of the main characters of Avenue Q are puppets, but the actors controlling them are in full view of the audience. Did this affect your direction for the show?

BRIAN JONES: As a director, my priority was to ensure that the audience pays attention to the puppets and the actors just fade away. That impacted how blocking and staging were developed which many times was counterintuitive to acting without the presence of puppets.

Generally, working with puppets isn’t any Nashville actor’s forte and so learning to make inanimate objects come to life was a  big focus of the rehearsal process. I was fortunate to have previous experience with the show at a theatre in Florida (playing Nicky/Trekkie) where I learned some basic techniques that I was able to share with the cast. But ultimately, the cast spent their own time in front of mirrors perfecting every movement and giving and receiving feedback from myself and with each other.

RAPID FIRE WITH AVENUE Q SET DESIGNER, JIM MANNING

JHP: I asked Brian about directing a show whose cast includes puppets. On a similar note, what challenges did you face in designing a urban neighborhood set inhabited by humans and puppets?

JIM MANNING: Brian allowed me to take a really different spin on this show.  Most sets for this show that I’ve seen (and designed) before have a fairly realistic street scenes inspired by Sesame Street.  I don’t want to give too much away, but the inspiration for this production comes from a different place–a place where puppets and human coexist.

JHP: Your sets frequently include little hidden gems. In Newsies, one such thing was a little hidden panel that slid to reveal an unexpected fun detail. Can you give me a hint of any set surprises in Avenue Q?

JIM MANNING: You know I love a good hinge.  Spoiler Alert: There’s not one hinge on this set.  But the math of it alone took a minute.  Like any Jim Manning set, there’s usually a trick or two hidden in plain sight…

RAPID FIRE WITH AVENUE Q’s KATE MONSTER, CARLY ROSE

JHP: This is your first show with Circle. What’s the experience been like so far?

CARLY ROSE: Working with Circle has been an incredible experience. Not only do I get to work with some of Nashville’s most talented, kind, and hardworking people, but Circle’s board has been extremely supportive and made us all feel very taken care of.

JHP: Tell me about Kate Monster?

CARLY ROSE: Kate wears her heart on her sleeve, honestly, she wears it on her forehead. In everything she does she leads with her heart.

JHP: Prior to being cast in Avenue Q, had you had any experience with puppets?

CARLY ROSE: I had never worked with puppets professionally. I don’t think we can count scaring my little brother with a rubber dog puppet as a child “professional.”

JHP: Ha! Yeah, probably not. How are you least like Kate Monster?

CARLY ROSE: Kate and I have a lot of similarities but she lacks my winning sense of humor and she hates porn.

RAPID FIRE WITH AVENUE Q’s PRINCETON, ALEX PINEIRO

JHP: Like your co-star, Carly, Avenue Q is also your Circle debut. What’s the best part of being in a show at Circle?

ALEX PINEIRO: Circle has been absolutely amazing to work with! Something that’s always drawn me to Circle is the quality of their shows and this is the first opportunity I’ve had to audition for the company! From early on I knew this show was gonna be something special. Everyone is so dedicated to their craft and I hope it’s something that will be seen through the product we’ve all created together!

JHP: You play Princeton. What’s Princeton’s worst quality?

ALEX PINEIRO: Princeton spends most of the show trying to find his purpose in life. He gets so tangled up in trying to find it that he lets life pass him by instead of accepting the fact that it’s okay to not know where your life is headed for a little.

JHP: A quick peek at your bio reveals that prior to Avenue Q, you recently spent 7 months as part of a musical dinner theatre production in Pennsylvania. What was that like?

ALEX PINEIRO: It was amazing! I was working on the original musical The Home Game with Blue Gate Musicals. It’s the longest contract I’ve had to date so far and it really taught me how to keep things fresh and new every night on stage. After all, we performed the show 175 times!

JHP: What’s the most challenging aspect of doing the show with a puppet on your arm?

ALEX PINEIRO: Honestly, getting his mouth to line up with my words. After working it for two hours, I feel like I completed a full arm workout! But, as Brian said in rehearsal one day, he doesn’t want it to look like an old kung foo movie where their mouths don’t line up with their words.

RAPID FIRE WITH AVENUE Q’s LUCY & MRS. THISTLETWAT, TAYLOR SIMON

JHP: You play Lucy the Slut, Mrs. Thistletwat, and a brief turn as Purpose Boxes in Avenue Q.  How much fun are you having in this show?

TAYLOR SIMON: This show has been a dream show of mine for 15 years. Getting to do more than even the traditional double-casting of the show would allow me to do just makes me feel more connected to the show and definitely makes it more fun! I don’t like having a lot of downtime backstage because it takes me out of the story and I get distracted so I’m loving having the opportunity to do so much.

JHP: When not acting, you also appear around town as part of the improv troupe, Lady Bits. Who would make a better addition to the troupe, Lucy the Slut or Mrs. Thistletwat?

TAYLOR SIMON: My gut reaction was  Mrs. Thistletwat, but Lady Bits is a super inclusive improv comedy troupe, so I think they both would be embraced with open arms. They both could bring different aspects and points of view. Mrs. Thistletwat is older, and commands respect, so I think she could very easily command the stage and if a skit was getting off track she could put it back on the rails. Lucy is very quick-witted, and is good at making sharp comeback‘s when she feels insulted. Those skills definitely come in handy in improv comedy when you have to make something up on the spot!

JHP: Who among your Avenue cast mates is likely to crack wise and go slightly off-script?

TAYLOR SIMON: I’m not trying to call anyone out because I think it only adds to the show, but my girl Abigail Nichol playing the girl Bad Idea Bear has added some adorable improvised moments that crack me up!! You can tell she’s having a blast and making it her own and it only makes it better. Love you Abigail!

JHP: If you lived on Avenue Q, which puppet would you want as your roommate?

TAYLOR SIMON: I think I’d want Kate as my roommate because even though she can be “loud as the hell she wants” sometimes, she seems like a genuinely kind, thoughtful person who just wants to help her community.

RAPID FIRE WITH AVENUE Q’s ROD, CLINT RANDOLPH

JHP: Avenue Q is your third show with Circle. What keeps you coming back?

CLINT RANDOLPH: It feels like home. Circle Players offers a supportive environment for performing artists to thrive and express their creativity. Actors are allowed to explore and grow as performers with the guidance of very visionary directors. There is also a tangible sense of camaraderie that develops amongst the cast members throughout the experience. Everyone is  working tirelessly toward accomplishing a single goal: putting on a great show. And Circle Players always delivers a great show.

JHP: In the show, you voice Rod, a closeted, uptight investment banker who lives with his best friend, Nicky. Those familiar with the show know that these two are obvious parodies of Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie. So…just between us….are Bert and Ernie more than just pigeon pals?

CLINT RANDOLPH: I can’t really say. All I know is that I’ve never seen them on Grindr or Scruff.

JHP: In addition to being an actor, you also teach middle school theatre. Who’s more out of control…the Avenue Q cast mates, or your students?

CLINT RANDOLPH: Definitely the Avenue Q cast. This a crazy bunch of people. But it makes for one helluva puppet show! It’s so much fun to perform this show with them every night. We crack each other up all the time.

JHP: OK, so I’m down to my last question….one more teacher-related question…what lessons do you think Avenue Q has the potential to teach its audiences?

CLINT RANDOLPH: Firstly, don’t take yourself so seriously. Laugh at yourself every now and then. Secondly, appreciate life for its little moments. It’s only temporary. Enjoy it while it lasts.

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Beginning Thursday, January 10 thru Sunday, January 20, audiences have several chances to heed Clint’s words–do just as the above clever advert suggests–and enjoy Circle Players’ bawdy, yet thought-provoking production of Avenue Q at the Looby Theatre located at 2301 Rosa Parks Blvd. Thursday-Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Thursday tickets are $15. Friday-Sunday tickets are $20. Click Here for tickets.

Following Avenue Q, Circle Players will continue their 69th season with If/Then from March 220April 7 and A Chorus Line from May 31-June 16. Be sure to follow Circle Players on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news, tickets and details about the rest of their current season and news of the company’s upcoming landmark 70th season.

As always, 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.

 

Rapid Fire 20 Q with cast of Studio Tenn’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’; onstage at Jamison Hall in The Factory at Franklin now thru December 30.

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‘Beauty and the Beast” opens at Studio Tenn on Friday, December 7 and continues through Sunday, December 30 (graphics and production images by Tony Matual/MA2LA/courtesy Studio Tenn) Actor headshots courtesy the artists)

For their holiday offering this year, Studio Tenn is presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As the company readied for the show’s Friday, December 7 opening night at Jamison Hall at The Factory at Franklin, I recently had the opportunity to chat with members of the cast for my latest Rapid Fire 20 Q.

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RAPID FIRE WITH HATTY KING, BELLE IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

JHP: Tell me about Belle?

HATTY KING: Belle is a lovely balance of strong and soft. Her mother died when she was young, so she had to grow up quickly to care for her father-this is where her strength comes from- but it didn’t harden her. Instead, it gave her an appreciation for life, and a thirst or adventure. She realizes that life is precious, and she longs to live fully.

JHP: What about Belle’s personality do you most identify with?

HATTY KING: There’s a youthful exuberance about Belle. She’s smart and grounded, but would totally race you to climb a tree. The idea of maintaining a childlike playfulness is certainly something close to my heart.

JHP: Studio Tenn has quite the reputation for creating gorgeous costumes for their shows. While aspects of Belle’s looks tend to follow the now-iconic and recognizable blue peasant girl and gold ballgown wardrobe pieces, something tells me Blake Danford, who’s costuming the show, has put his own spin on things. What’s your favorite Belle look in the show?

HATTY KING: The gold dress, oh my. It’s the perfect combination of authentic 1700’s decadence and classic Belle…and I’m not kidding about the decadence. Most of the dress is hand-sewn and it’s exquisite.

JHP: Two yeas ago you were Ariel in a local production of The Little Mermaid and now you’re starring as Belle, who, unlike Ariel, marries into her princess title. Which princess still remains on your to-do list?

HATTY KING: I recently got to see Anastasia in New York, and the role of Anya captured my heart. I’d love play her!

RAPID FIRE WITH PAUL BASWELL, GASTON IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

JHP: You’re playing Gaston. What’s the best party of being such an over-the-top narcissistic character?

PAUL BASWELL: Overall, the self confidence he exudes has been really fun to play with. It’s really taught me a lot personally.

JHP: This is your first time in a Studio Tenn production, right? What’s the experience been like so far?

PAUL BASWELL: I’d have to say it’s greatly exceeded my expectations. The talent in Nashville is astounding, and this has to be one of the most professional companies I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. There’s nothing better than getting to go to work and laugh everyday.

JHP: As Gaston, you get to share a few scenes with on of my favorites, Curtis Reed, who’s playing Gaston’s loyal sidekick, Le Fou. Are you guys having fun?

PAUL BASWELL: He is actually one of the first friends I made when I moved to Nashville just over a year ago! I was so excited when I found out we would get to work side by side. We belly laugh every single day! He is insanely talented and creative and is always coming up with great ways to add depth to our scenes together. I couldn’t imagine doing this without him!

JHP: Gaston isn’t just your character’s name, it’s also the title of your big production number. Does choreographer Anna Perry have some fun surprises in store for fans of Gaston’s self-adoring sequence?

PAUL BASWELL: Without giving too much away, I’ll be chugging beer and belching! : Anna has done an amazing job with the entire show, and I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with Gaston. Everyone knows she can create gorgeous dance sequences, but the audience will be pleasantly surprised to see that she also has a knack for staging delightful bar scenes and brawls!

RAPID FIRE WITH JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA, MADAME DE LA GRANDE BOUCHE IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

JHP: Tell me about Madame De La Grande Bouche.

JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: The Madame is quite the character. She is the life of the party, and she’s always ready for one! She’s kind of like the wacky Aunt at all of your family gatherings.

JHP: In the classic 1991 animated film, your character, though called simply Wardrobe, was voiced by hilarious comedian, Jo Anne Worley. In the 2017 live action remake, Garderobe was played by the always divalicious Audra McDonald. Having known you for a few years now, I can totally see aspects of both of these grande dames in you. Would Playful Diva accurately describe your Madame De La Grande Bouche?

JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I think my Madame definitely has a sense of play. I think she comes off silly at times, only because she is completely serious in everything she does. Before she was Enchanted, she was THE opera diva. She was commanding the royal stage. So she is ready to bring in thunderous applause, but she also has no patience for ridiculousness. Madame Bouche would not be the woman to anger. As long as you let her be the center of attention, you can sit with her.

JHP: It’s been a minute since you’ve been in a Studio Tenn production. What are you enjoying most about being part of this show?

JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: I am just absolutely having a ball! I love fantasy so much! What could possibly be better, than playing and enchanted object, and singing a Disney score?! I also love any chance I get to use my classical voice. My roots are in classical music, so it always feels special when I get to sing it.

JHP: As Madame De La Grande Bouche, many if your scenes are with Hatty. What’s she like as a scene partner?

JENNIFER WHITCOMB-OLIVA: Hatty is such a treasure. I love every moment I get to share with her. She’s such a warm, and giving scene partner. She has a way of making everything seem so natural. The way she glides from song to scene with such passion, is so wonderful to watch.

RAPID FIRE WITH BRADLEY GALE, LUMIERE IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

JHP: What do we need to know about Lumiere?

BRADLEY GALE: I’d say the only thing you really need to know about Lumiere is that he’s sassy, the opposite of tight-lipped, never afraid to be in the “spotlight”, but most importantly loyal and loving (sometimes to a fault!)

JHP: Lumiere is frequently paired on-stage with Cogsworth, played in this production by Shawn Knight. Tell me about working opposite him?

BRADLEY GALE: It’s always a little nerve wracking when you’re the new kid in school especially when the teacher pairs you up to partner on a project with someone like Shawn Knight! But after our first encounter in callbacks he immediately pushed my fears aside. Shawn is a master class in timing and moreover a generous and supportive scene partner. From day one we started a witty banter full of the perfect balance of loath and love and now we’ve taken it to the stage.  I’ll let the audience be the ultimate judge; but I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to create together in such a short amount of time; as Shawn said on day one of rehearsals, “when shopping for Cogsworth memorabilia at Disney World…You just can’t buy Cogsworth without Lumiere!”.  And I wouldn’t want it any other way!

JHP: Aside from the show’s titular tune, Something There is probably my favorite. Wanna take a minute to just gush about what it’s like to be in a show with such a gorgeous score written by musical theatre legends Alan Menken, Tim Rice and Howard Ashman?

BRADLEY GALE: Singing the music of Beauty and the Beast is nearly every musical theatre kids dream come true. Its themes are probably some of the most recognizable musical themes of our time and the harmonies you’ll hear are EXACTLY what you want to hear at the end of every belty show-stopping number! When you add in voices like those assembled for this production its a soundtrack that I’ll happily be listening to on repeat through the month of December. Aside from the on stage voices just wait till you hear this orchestra under Stephen Kumer!

JHP: I frequently say I could live on a Studio Tenn set. Mitch White is designing the set for Beauty and the Beast. What can you tell me about it and other technical aspects of the show?

BRADLEY GALE: Mitch White never disappoints and this one is a doozy. You’ll walk in to Jamison Hall and immediately feel like you’ve walked into the castle. I don’t want to ruin any surprises but let’s just say;  it’s huge and it is Blue-tiful. ;-P. Don’t even get me started on the costumes and wigs! Blake Danford has designed and executed amongst numerous other magical pieces, a set of the coolest Candle stick hands I’ve ever seen…And yes they do light up!!!  Also, Allison Hearn has made me feel like a gorgeous hair model from Versailles! Much love and gratitude to our amazing design team!

RAPID FIRE WITH PATRICK THOMAS, THE BEAST IN BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

JHP: Who is The Beast to you?

PATRICK THOMAS: The Beast, though a magical Disney character, is still very much a human like any of us. He is any one who has ever let their circumstances define them. He blames a world he does not understand instead of his own shortcomings for his misfortunes. Unable to see the goodness around him he is temperamental, withdrawn, and full of self-loathing. In the most human way possible, it takes real love and inner beauty to thaw a heart that had long grown cold.

JHP: Playing The Beast isn’t just extra hair/makeup/prosthetics. I’m guessing it’s also a different approach to your physicality, speech and attitude. Is there one of these aspect that, once you’ve adapted it, you feel you become The Beast?

PATRICK THOMAS: Not necessarily. It’s a combination of the costume, the lower vocal placement, wider stance, broader shoulders, all of it really. Needless to say I’ve spent lots of time in front of a mirror lately in an effort to get it just right.

JHP: Some Studio Tenn audiences might remember you best for your appearances in the company’s popular Legacy series or the performance-heavy Christmas specials. Those are pretty straight-forward music performances, rather than theatrical characters with a bit of dialogue and character development. How much fun are you having stepping into a character like The Beast?

PATRICK THOMAS: This feels like a return to my roots (though most wouldn’t know it.) Both my parents were Broadway actors so I grew up hearing musical theatre. Having the chance to act and sing in a totally different style has been quite freeing. It’s a nice break from my pop/country music career.

JHP: While The Beast eventually shows his softer side, much of the show sees him grousing and gnarling at those closest to him. Do you see parallels between The Beast’s emotional transformation and the overall moral of the show?

PATRICK THOMAS: Of course. No one tells a story like Disney and there’s a reason this one is such a classic. Hopefully as audiences watch this magical production they will pick up on the underlying theme. Beauty is indeed found within. And hey, even if they miss it, at the very least we hope everyone will leave thoroughly entertained.

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With Studio Tenn’s flawless history of presenting Broadway-worthy productions time and time again, there’s no doubt their production of Beauty and the Beast will be talked about until the final petal falls. Studio Tenn’s Beauty and the Beast plays Jamison Hall at The Factory at Franklin with select matinee and evening performances from Friday, December 7 thru Sunday, December 30. Thursday thru Sunday evening performances begin at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Special Wednesday, December 26 performances will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets range in price from $30-$90. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Following the 7 p.m. Sunday, December 9 performance, Studio Tenn is offering an exclusive post-show Meet and Greet with Belle for an additional $5. CLICK HERE to purchase the additional Meet and Greet tickets. On Saturday, December 15 and Saturday, December 22, Studio Tenn is offering Backstage Tours at 12noon prior to the 2 p.m. matinee performance on those two days. CLICK HERE to purchase the additional Backstage Tour tickets.

After Beauty and the Beast, Studio Tenn’s 2018/2019 Season continues with Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from Friday, February 8 thru Sunday, February 17. That will be followed by this year’s Legacy Series entry, The Sinatra Legacy: A Tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, onstage at The Franklin Theatre, Thursday, March 14-Sunday, March 17. Studio Tenn will wrap their current season with Damn Yankees from Friday, May 17 until Sunday, June 2. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.Be sure to check out Studio Tenn online at StudioTenn.com or on social media at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook.

Rapid Fire 20 Q with cast and crew of ‘The Game Show Show’; Backstage at Chaffin’s through December 22

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In addition to Chaffin’s Barn’s main stage theatre space, where they’re currently presenting Elf: The Musical, Nashville’s oldest-continuing dinner theatre also features a second on-site venue, Backstage at The Barn. Currently on backstage is The Game Show Show: Holiday Edition. As the title suggests, it’s all about the fun of TV game shows. Presented in three acts, The Game Show Show sends up everything from Match Game (’77 to be exact), Judge Judy, To Tell The Truth and even includes a bit of audience participation in a friendly physical competition segment reminiscent of Double Dare…all with a timely holiday slant. If you read my column or follow me on social media with any regularity, you know I’m more than a little obsessed with anything 70s and/or TV, so I knew I just had to chat with members of The Game Show Show’s cast and crew for the latest installment in my recurring interview segment, Rapid Fire 20 Q. In the spirit of game shows (or perhaps because math isn’t my strong suit and I wanted to chat with all seven cast members) there’s actually a Bonus Question, so it’s technically Rapid Fire 21 Q.

RAPID FIRE 21 Q WITH CAST AND CREW OF THE GAME SHOW SHOW

Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre’s “The Game Show Show” cast members Joy Tilley Perryman, Gerold Oliver and Charlie Winton

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN

JHP: You’re directing as well as appearing in The Game Show Show, right? What can audiences expect to see from you?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: I wear lots of hats in this show, I am even in the stage manager’s booth at times.

JHP: In preparing for this show, did you do any research by watching old game show clips on YouTube or the Game Show Network?

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: I grew up on game shows, so I didn’t have to do a ton of research, but I did enjoy watching old Match Game clips on YouTube.

JHP: Who’s your all-time favorite TV game show host? 

JOY TILLEY PERRYMAN: Monty Hall

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S JOHN MAULDIN

JHP: I understand you’re stage managing The Game Show Show. The show consists of three acts, the first—a sort of mash-up of Judge Judy and To Tell The Truth, the second—a homage to Match Game ’77 and the third—Reindeer Games…which of these three is your favorite, and why?

JOHN MAULDIN: Yes, I’m stage managing the show but I make an appearance as a special Holiday icon in To Tell the Truth, so since I get to work on stage with this fun cast I would say this is my favorite. However, Match Game will always have a special place in my heart because I watched it a lot as a kid so there is a major kick of nostalgia during that for me. Reindeer Games is also great because it is just pure fun and so audience-centric that there is a great energy throughout the theatre. All 3 make for a fun night out!

JHP: What exactly do you suppose reindeer games are, and why wouldn’t they let poor Rudolph play?

JOHN MAULDIN: I imagine there to be a lot games of tag played by the reindeer, maybe some hide and seek, and there is probably a killer game of capture the flag. I guess there is the fear of the different and unusual from the other reindeer that prevents Rudolph joining in their games. I mean we know that it all works out well in the end. Our diversity is our strength, it’s true. Everyone has something special about them to offer the world and when given the chance they can shine!!

JHP: If you were playing Match Game ’77 and were going for the final match, would you choose Charles Nelson Reilly, Brett Somers or Fannie Flagg?

JOHN MAULDIN: Charles Nelson Reilly hands down. He was just so iconic and identifiable with the show.  I don’t know if we would have matched but I’m sure it would have been hilarious regardless.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S CHARLIE WINTON

JHP: As host of the second act of The Game Show Show, I hear you’re channeling a bit of classic Match Game host, Gene Rayburn. What’s one trait of Rayburn’s that audiences can look forward to seeing in your portrayal?

CHARLIE WINTON: Gene was a charming man and always seemed to be having a great time, I am striving for that in my performance.

JHP: You’re also hosting the third act, Reindeer Games, which is full-on audience participation. Should audience members be the least bit hesitant of volunteering to play?

CHARLIE WINTON: I think anyone that likes to have fun and laugh would enjoy playing our reindeer games!

JHP: Like their main stage shows, Backstage at Chaffin’s also features the delicious prime rib buffet with more sides and options than Santa’s sleigh-full of presents. What’s one item on the buffet you could live off of?

CHARLIE WINTON: Prime rib is my favorite! Add a little horseradish sauce…. yum!

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S MEGAN DEWALD

JHP: I hear your Match Game character is a bit like Mary Ann Mobley. TV nerd that I am, of course I know who she was, but you’re way too young to have ever seen her in anything, except maybe a rerun of her late-90s appearance on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (told you I was a TV nerd)…in the spirit of this all-game show themed Rapid Fire…Tell the Truth…did you have to look her up to figure out how to approach this character?

MEGAN DEWALD: I absolutely had to look her up, and when I did, I was blown away by her beauty and her precise diction, although in my research I discovered she tended to drop the ending “k” in words like “think”. She’s been a blast to emulate.

JHP: You’re also playing Vixen, the Gift Exchange Host. What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received that you either re-gifted or returned?  (It’s ok, you can tell me…hardly anyone reads these interviews anyway)

MEGAN DEWALD: My Mimi, bless her heart, gifts me an overpriced plastic bracelet every year. They look like they have been made from colored newspaper and dipped in clear coat, then embellished with tarnished studs. Totally not my style, and they are so large that they fall off my wrists. I have a small hoard of them in my jewelry box that I regift occasionally. I don’t have the heart to tell her that I hate them because it’s the thought that counts. Don’t rat me out!

JHP: Who among your cast is most likely to get tickled by an audience member’s response and break out into uncontrollable laughter?

MEGAN DEWALD: Ha! It would definitely be me. I’m easily tickled, and I love to laugh. I tend to snort when I laugh, which makes others around me laugh, and their laughter makes me laugh harder. It’s a vicious cycle.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S GEROLD OLIVER

JHP: Tell me about your role(s) in The Game Show Show?

GEROLD OLIVER: I play a few different Characters. I play a caricature of Byrd (the bailiff) from Judge Judy in the first act, the late great poetic comic Nipsey Russell in the second act, and I play myself in act three!

JHP: From what I know, The Game Show Show is mostly improv. How much fun is that?

GEROLD OLIVER: One of my worst nightmares is breaking character on stage and laughing during a performance. I get to live my nightmare with some of the funniest people I’ve ever had the chance to perform with!

JHP: What is it about games shows that audience find so enticing?

GEROLD OLIVER: I’m sure it’s the prizes. There aren’t too many better feelings in the world that are more uplifting than walking in a place with nothing and walking out with something that you earned.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S KARI CALDWELL

JHP: I hear you’re parodying Judge Judy as Judge Trudy in Act 1’s To Tell the Truth sendup. While she’s not exactly a game show, she’s definitely a daytime TV icon. Which cast member should you never play To Tell the Truth with?

KARI CALDWELL: This is a tough one. All of my fellow cast mates are Naughty Little Liars. So, I guess I will have to go with Joy. I always take her so seriously she could probably pull the wool over my eyes. 

JHP: I understand you also appear in the Match Game segment as a flamboyant character that might remind the audience of Joanne Worley. Full Disclosure…she’s one of my favorite game show panelist of all time, so I can’t wait to see your take on her. What’s the best part of channeling someone like her for a character?

KARI CALDWELL: I’m really old so I knew who Joannne Worley was without having to look her up but I still watched Match Game and tons of Laugh In snippets.  She cracks me up. It has been a delight to play a big mouth goofball. I might have been type cast! 

JHP: If you could produce a new TV game show, what would it be called and what would the premise be?

KARI CALDWELL: All contestants would wear a disguise on I Mustache You A Question and go into businesses and ask for a service they may or may not offer. The contestants are judged on their ability to carry out the charade with the people in the business and dedication to their disguise. 

RAPID FIRE WITH THE GAME SHOW SHOW’S ELIJAH WALLACE

JHP: From what I know, you’re Match Game character is a parody of Charles Nelson Reilly. Which is sort of a conundrum because wasn’t Charles Nelson Reilly a bit of a parody of everything outrageous and over the top?

ELIJAH WALLACE: He really was quite a character. He did everything on the show from wear hats all the time to hide his baldness and not wearing socks or pants on stage to being flown in with a hawk in his hand and feathers in his mouth. He liked making a scene as most theater people do.

JHP: If you were a contestant on the old school Hollywood Squares and you could chose either Paul Lynde or Rose Marie for the win, which one would you choose? (Dear Reader, Go ahead, Google them if you need to….I’ll wait)

ELIJAH WALLACE: I think Paul Lynde since he played Mr Macafee in the movie, Bye Bye Birdie and he was just so quirky and fun which would match my style. I think we would have gotten along great!

JHP: I understand you also play Tiny Tim in the To Tell the Truth segment. Please tell me it’s not just the God Bless Us Everyone, but also the ukulele-playing, tulip-tiptoeing 60s singer. Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

ELIJAH WALLACE: It is wishful thinking unfortunately, but I don’t think the Tiny Tim that I am is quite traditional either. He has some nice surprises up his bedraggled sleeves! You’ll have to come see the show to fully understand what I mean!

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From my conversations with the cast, it’s evident it will be a fun time, indeed, so, dare I say it…Come on Down! as The Game Show Show continues Backstage at Chaffin’s Barn through Saturday, December 22. Evening performances are Thursdays-Sundays, December 6 thru 22  at 7:30 p.m. Remaining matinee tickets are available Thursday, December 6 at 12noon, Sunday, December 9 at 2 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, December 12 & 13 at 12noon, Sunday, December 16 at 2 p.m. and Thursday, December 20 at 12noon. Thursday Matinee Show Only tickets are $19. (Patrons can also bring their own sack lunch, with drink options available for purchase. Thursday Matinee and Box Lunch tickets are $27.50. Box Lunch service begins at 11 a.m with Thursday matinees beginning at 12noon. Sunday Matinee  and Evening Performance Only tickets are $35/adults or $16/children 12 and under. Dinner and Show—which includes the aforementioned delectable full prime rib buffet—tickets are $60/adults or $30/youth/students. Sunday buffet service begins at 12noon until 1:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 2 p.m. Dinner service for evening performances begins at 5:30 p.m. and continues until 7 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets, or for more information.

To keep up with the latest from Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre, find them online at ChaffinsBarnTheatre.com, ’like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook.

Review: Three decades later, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ still mesmerizing audiences as latest national tour plays TPAC thru November 4

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Quentin Oliver Lee and Eva Tavares starring in “The Phantom of The Opera” (photo by Matthew Murphy)

When I attended opening weekend of the Nashville leg of the current national tour of The Phantom of the Opera at TPAC’s Jackson Hall, it marked the half-dozen mark for me, having originally seen the show nearly thirty years ago during its original Broadway run, as well as a handful of touring productions over the years, including at least two previous tours in the very theatre in which I sat last week. In spite of my familiarity with the story, and dare I say it, my own phandom, even before the drapery fell to reveal THAT chandelier, something was different—special even—about this show. Perhaps it was because my companion for the evening, in spite of growing up with a father who worked in New York’s theatre district, had never seen the show. That’s right, a Phantom virgin.

As we settled into our seats and the all-too-familiar prelude began to swell from the orchestra pit, I found myself surprisingly being overcome with chills. At first waving it off to me admittedly being a bit neurotic and simply loving the art of live theatre, I soon realized it was much more than that. Here I was, sitting in a near-sold-out theatre about to watch a show I’d seen time and time again, a show I knew was somewhat weak on book and character development, but a show that is simply gorgeous. Gorgeous in fantasy-inducing score, gorgeous in breathtakingly iconic costume, gorgeous in opulent set design, and thanks to Quentin Oliver Lee, Eva Tavares, Jordan Craig et al, gorgeous in breathing new life into characters as recognizable and beloved as any to have ever grace the theatrical stage.

While the beginning of the musical sets up the story, we still have to wait three scenes in before the action truly starts when the Phantom first appears…and yes, even after seeing it as many times as I have, I sill gasp a little when he first shows up.From his first appearance, Lee’s Phantom is menacing, commanding and powerful, his voice in fine condition to assume the titular role. From a physical standpoint, he’s also perfect for the role, towering above most of the cast. When he solos on Music of the Night, it is indeed enchanting.

While Richard Stilgoe and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber have endured three decades of critics lamenting the lack of a believable story, character development and reasoning behind the tale of a masked man who lurks in the shadows of a Parisian Opera House in the early 20th century, Webber certainly knew what he was doing when he composed the accompanying score with lyrical help from Charles Hart, for it’s the show’s soundtrack that outshines even the regal opera house setting.

To that end, more gooseflesh moments occur when Lee’s Phantom is joined onstage by his Christine, Eva Tavares. Diminutive in stature, raven-haired, porcelain-skinned, Tavares is the polar opposite to her Phantom. While this could easily detract from their shared scenes, instead, it enhances the idea of why she would fall under his spell, for you have to admit, as un-PC as it is to say, a woman of her slight physical presence would have no choice but to succumb to the Phantom’s domineering ways. Here’s the thing though, what Tavares’ Christine lacks in assertive physicality, she more than makes up for in voice. Whether duetting with Emily Ramirez’s Meg near the top of the show with Angel of Music, with Lee on the show’s majestic title tune, or solo in Act 2’s hauntingly beautiful Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, Tavares IS Christine, as beautiful as she is talented. No wonder the Phantom would be obsessed.

With a cast and orchestra totaling more than 50 company members, there’s plenty of stand-out performers. Among them, the aforementioned Craig as Raoul. Possessing perhaps the most skilled voice in the company, the night I saw him, he was perfection. It should be noted that the playbill indicates that Herb Porter and Constantine Pappas also step into the role during certain performances.

Having recently seen the national tour of Love Never Dies, at TPAC just a few months ago, I had forgotten that Madame Giry is actually likable in the original story, considering the character is a bit of a baddie in the redo. Kristie Dale Sanders is delightful as Madame Giry in this production of Phantom, especially in one of the show’s rare comedic moments in which she and several members of the Opera House’s staff have been receiving notes from the Phantom.

Also turning in fine comedic performances are David Benoit and Rob Lindley as Monsieurs Firmin and Andre, the opera house’s business associates and Trista Moldovan as Carlotta Giudicelli, the opera diva Christine is about to replace if the Phantom has any say in the matter.

Speaking of, perhaps realizing the story is less-than-believable, this current incarnation seems to have added a bit more humor. A welcomed change indeed.

Billed as producer Cameron Mackintosh’s New Production, there are other differences between this and previous incarnations. The slowly revolving tower that ascends to the Phantom’s underground lair is spell-binding. When the stairs seemingly magically appear from the flat surface of the tower as the Phantom descends them, accompanied by lighting designer Paule Constable’s perfectly-timed lighting effects illuminating each emerging step, I couldn’t help but feel anxious at the thought of a technical glitch. On the subject of the lighting, throughout the show, I found my eye wandering from the actors to their shadows cast along the walls of the set, adding yet another spooky layer to the story.

Perhaps my favorite change from the original version is the top of Act 2 with Masquerade. While the grand staircase from the original was indeed a powerful visual, the newly added mirrored ceiling piece that allows the audience a true bird’s eye view of the ballroom choreography is quite enjoyable.

Thirty years after its Broadway debut, The Phantom of the Opera— story missteps aside–is still as majestic and hypnotic a spectacle as ever.

The Phantom of the Opera continues at TPAC’s Jackson Hall with performances Friday, November 2 at 8p.m., Saturday, November 3 at 2p.m. and 8p.m. and Sunday, November 4 at 1p.m. and 6:30p.m. Tickets range in price from $55 to $105. Earlier this week, TPAC announced the limited availability of special $40 rush tickets to each remaining performance. To take advantage of that, show up 90 minutes prior to showtime and inquire at the box office. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.

Not in Nashville, but hoping to see Phantom on tour? Following its Music City engagement, Phantom continues through Fall of 2019 with performances in Houston, November 7-18, Omaha, November 21-December 2, San Antonio, December 7-17, Dallas, December 18-January 6, Oklahoma City, January 9-20, Detroit, January 24-February 3, Kalamazoo, February 6-17, Pittsburgh, February 20-March 3, Milwaukee, March 6-17, Providence, March 21-31, Cleveland, April 3-20, Schenectady, April 24-May 5, Los Angeles, June 6-July 7, Costa Mesa, July 10-21 and Honolulu, August 7-September 1. CLICK HERE for tickets. Follow Phantom on Tour at the show’s official site HERE, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Next up at TPAC, the national tour of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas returns to the stage. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. You can also discover all the latest from TPAC by checking them out online or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As always, 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 and Facebook.

Rapid Fire 20 Q with director and cast of Nashville Repertory Theatre’s ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’; at TPAC’s Johnson Theatre thru November 3

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Directed by René Copeland and starring Cheryl White, Galen Fott, Corrie Green and Rona Carter, Nashville Repertory Theatre’s presentation of A Doll’s House, Part 2 is currently on stage at TPAC’s Johnson Theatre thru November 3. While Nashville Rep’s production marks the play’s regional premiere, playwright Lucas Hnath’s sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s classic debuted on Broadway starring Laurie Metcalf just last year.

Making Nashville Rep’s regional premiere run even more special, the women of the cast will stick around following this Saturday’s October 27 7:30p.m. performance as they are joined by Nashville businesswomen Bonnie Dow, Lucia Folk, Jill McMillan and Joelle Phillips for a special post-show talkback, Women Talk Back, during which the audience will have an opportunity to pose questions as the cast and special guests discuss feminism as it relates to Ibsen and Hnath’s characters from the 1800s and today.

In anticipation of the special Women Talk Back event and the show’s ongoing run, I recently had an opportunity to chat with the entire cast of A Doll’s House, Part 2…including the show’s lone male star…as well as Copeland, who’s not only directing the show, but who is also Nashville Rep’s longtime Producing Artistic Director, for the latest installment in my recurring interview feature, Rapid Fire 20 Q.

The cast and director of “A Doll’s House, Part 2”. From left: Rona Carter, Cheryl White, René Copeland, Galen Fott and Corrie Green

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RAPID FIRE WITH RENÉ COPELAND, DIRECTOR OF ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2’

JHP: From a director’s standpoint, what attracted you to A Doll’s House, Part 2?

RENÉ COPELAND: This play fires on several cylinders for me.  I love good dialogue, and in this play the dialogue is smart and funny, and has a unique tone to it—it is a sequel to a play set in the late 1800’s, yet it uses contemporary vernacular so it sounds incredibly modern.  On the page the dialogue is sort of mapped out like free verse poetry, so working with the actors to unlock the code, like a musician unlocks the code of a music score, is great fun.  It’s hard and also fun. I also appreciate the particular sense of humor in the play, and I always love a play that will use humor to explore provocative ideas.  I like plays that make you laugh AND think, so that when you leave the theatre you feel really energized. And this play is very demanding of both me and the actors, which I like.  I think theatre artists working on this play really have to work at the top of their game—each character is textured and complicated and each scene is crafted to work a certain way that you have to shape very carefully.  And then, as a woman I am of course interested in the question of how we balance our lives between the things we do for those we love and the things we do for ourselves—what is expected of us culturally and what we expect of ourselves. The questions posed by this play are completely about now.

JHP: Let’s play a little word association. Using only a single word, how would you describe each of your cast members in regard to their character portrayal in A Doll’s House, Part 2?

RENÉ COPELAND:

Cheryl as Nora—stunning; Galen as Torvald—compelling; Rona as Anne Marie—irresistible; Corrie as Emmy—intriguing

JHP: From rehearsals to now, is there a theme, scene or ideal in the play that’s come to more prominence that you’d originally thought when you took on the project?

RENÉ COPELAND: Nora tells a story near the end of the play about how difficult it is to hear your own voice, after a lifetime of not making a decision without wondering what “he” would think. Cheryl’s way of telling this story has moved it way beyond words on a page and it has come to have special meaning to me.

JHP: What can you tell me about the talkbacks scheduled to follow certain performances during the run?

RENÉ COPELAND: I love Talkbacks for any show, but this show is particularly conversation-inducing. If you come on a talkback night and stick around for a few minutes to chat with us, I know you’ll be glad you did.  You are going to have a lively conversation about this play in the car on the way home anyway, so why not stick around and have that conversation with us, the director and the actors?  Plus it’s really great for us to get a chance to hear real time feedback—it makes us all better at our jobs.  So talkbacks actually contribute to the artistic process. It’s very informal and it usually ends up being a fun sharing session, with plenty of behind-the-scenes insight and gossip along with serious exploration of ideas.

RAPID FIRE WITH CHERYL WHITE, NORA IN ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2’

JHP: In the fifteen years that has passed between the story depicted in Henrik Ibsen’s original and Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House, Part 2, has A) Nora changed, or B) simply cultivated characteristics that were already present?

CHERYL WHITE: I’m going to pick C) All of the Above!  Nora is now worldly, no longer naive about the workings of society.  She is self-reliant and passionate.  She found her voice at the end of Ibsen’s play and has nurtured it and it now sustains her.  She perhaps has more work to do to understand the ramifications of her newfound freedom on those she left behind.  And when thrust into an old environment with old relationships, she definitely stumbles into some old pitfalls!

JHP: Taking place in the late 1800’s requires period-costumes. What can you tell me about Nora’s  wardrobe, designed by Trish Clark?

CHERYL WHITE: One of the truly exciting aspects of this play is that the costumes and set reflect the period, but the dialogue and physicality (especially for Nora) are contemporary.  So even though I wear a corset and numerous heavy layers (petticoats and over-skirts and such), I strive to speak and move as a contemporary woman.  Not only does the wardrobe inform how I move, it also functions as a tangible obstacle for Nora and as a metaphor for the societal constraints she rails against.

JHP: Much of the play revolves around confrontation between Nora and those she left behind fifteen years prior. How do you prepare yourself for those heated scenes?

CHERYL WHITE: Each of the four characters in this play has a lot to lose.  Their personal stakes are high.    So it’s imperative that I really listen to what’s being said to Nora, that I never lose sight of what I, as Nora, need to win, and finally, that I breathe deeply.  Because when Nora let’s go, she really let’s go!!

JHP: What has surprised you most about this play?

CHERYL WHITE: That I agree with all four characters in the play.  Their viewpoints are wildly divergent, and yet I find everything they say to be true and valuable.

RAPID FIRE WITH GALEN FOTT, TORVALD IN ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2’

JHP: What can you tell me about Torvald?

GALEN FOTT: Judging only from Ibsen’s play (or “Part 1”, as we call it!), I think you might say that Torvald is a stifling, controlling, chauvinistic coward. But it’s also true that he is simply playing out the role that is expected of him by the paternalistic society of 1870s Norway. Then Nora walks out, and suddenly he’s a single father of three (albeit with a nanny-in-residence). But Nora’s leaving shook Torvald to the core. Now let’s flash forward to “Part 2”, where we meet him again 15 years later. I think it’s clear that Torvald has been “working on himself” in the intervening years, trying to figure out what happened, trying to work out what’s right and wrong, what’s fair and unfair. There are moments in “Part 2” when “old Torvald” reemerges, but he’s at least trying to evolve.

JHP: While Torvald is perceived as a successful businessman in Ibsen’s work. Nora having left him in the original piece definitely had its affect on him. As an actor, how have you found a balance in playing an outwardly strong man dealing with that inner brokenness?

GALEN FOTT: In this play, we see almost exclusively the private, “broken” side of Torvald. However, I do relish my first 30 seconds onstage, before Torvald realizes Nora has returned. For that half-minute, it feels like Torvald is in a completely different play from everyone else, a mundane tale of a banker who has dashed back home to retrieve some papers he forgot. Little does he know…

JHP: To some purist, the entire notion of a Part 2 to Ibsen’s classic might, at first, seem audacious at best. What is it about playwright Luca Hnath’s continuation that completely lives up to the iconic original?

GALEN FOTT: While Hnath’s play is written completely in the modern vernacular, there’s nothing anachronistic or “cheeky” whatsoever about the story and ideas. Hnath addresses all the same issues that Ibsen raised, and does so with complete fairness and seriousness. (Not that the play isn’t very funny at times!) And much of Hnath’s writing, particularly Nora’s gorgeous final monologue, I wouldn’t hesitate to call “worthy of Ibsen”.

JHP: In the conclusion of the original, Nora walks out on Torvald and their three children. In Part 2, the cast is made up of yourself, Cheryl White as Nora, Rona Carter as Anne Marie, the family Nanny and Corrie Green as Torvald and Nora’s daughter, Emmy. I gotta know…Do we find out what happened to the other two children?

GALEN FOTT: Well…not so much. Ivar and Bob would be around 22 and 20, respectively. From what Emmy says about them, it sounds like Bob is a bit emotionally unstable, but Ivar is “the opposite of Bob in every way”. And that’s all we learn! I think “Part 3” needs to focus entirely on poor Bob, don’t you?

RAPID FIRE WITH CORRIE GREEN, EMMY IN ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2’

JHP: You play Emmy, one of Nora and Torvald’s three children she abandoned as depicted in the final scene of Henrik Ibsen’s original. Part 2 picks up fifteen years later. In finding your voice for Emmy, did you imagine certain mother/daughter circumstances that she missed that might have molded her current fiber?

CORRIE GREEN: I think in my approach of the character the whole concept of becoming a woman without your mother was something I was drawn to. Certainly there are thousands of moments daughters spend with their mothers that shape who they are emotionally. That being said the idea that Nora was absent for Emmy’s first crush, first boyfriend, first fight with a close friend, becoming a woman, etc. were moments that I knew going into my preparation that had to have shaped Emmy. I didn’t think that they were moments that would fuel a dislike for Nora, however it made me think of who those moments were left to and all of those things were left to Torvald. We know from the text, both A Doll’s House, and A Doll’s House Pt.2 , that Torvald is not someone who is going to be extremely emotionally nurturing when it comes to his children. Thus approaching Emmy became a balance of figuring out what emotional support, and representation did she have growing up and how does that effect her. Certainly you will find that Emmy is simple in her emotions towards people and that she has no “animosity” towards Nora, but in order to understand that I had to imagine growing up without the emotional support of a mother.

JHP: In a scene from the play, Emmy confronts her mother, Nora, about having been left with her father and siblings. She says something like, “I think in a lot of ways things turned out better because you weren’t around.” Why do you think Emmy feels that growing up without her mother was to her advantage?

CORRIE GREEN: So on the positive side of growing up without a lot of emotional support is this idea that Emmy grows up intellectually much faster than the average kid. I think this is because of the fact that she had to learn everything sort of on her own. So she develops this strength in doing things herself, and finding things out for herself that wouldn’t have happened had she not found out about what happened to her mother. I think Emmy feels she has conquered the dark truths of the world because of the fact that she copes with problems intellectually and not emotionally. She doesn’t allow things to defeat her like her peers, and I think this is something Emmy prides herself on.

JHP: On the flip side, what negative affect, if any, did being raised by Torvald alone have on Emmy?

CORRIE GREEN: I think that one of the downsides is the idea that Emmy has on how to communicate with people, and primarily the sort of emotional numbness she has towards various things. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that Emmy was raise viewing the post-Nora Torvald. That Torvald didn’t tell her anything about her mother, didn’t keep any of her mothers things, is known via Ibsen’s play to believe that the raising of children should be left to the mother, the depression that overcomes him post-Nora that numbs him to the idea of ever loving again. All of these characteristics result in a child who is brought up to become emotional but only on the surface, and to sort of have some wiring issues when it comes to her ideas on the world. Not having a mother around and only being raised by a father who believed in the norms of the time means that in a way Emmy wasn’t nurtured. Which I think comes across on the stage in various ways during her interaction with her mother. One of which being in the way she chooses to address her father as “Torvald”, which isn’t a very friendly, family driven address for ones dad.

JHP: Often, you hear about actors avoiding each other backstage or during off-time to aide in the believability of their onstage tension. With so much of A Doll’s House, Part 2’s interaction being confrontational, has that been the case for you and your cast mates, or is there a sense of family among you, in spite of the intense action on stage?

CORRIE GREEN: Oh no, I think the cast has formed a family of sorts. I don’t know what I would do if they weren’t so kind and willing to help me transition into Nashville and into the life as a working Actor. As someone, who just graduated and is from a different state, the fact that everyone was willing to take me under their wing including Rene and our tech crew was extremely comforting! Although, we don’t get to see Galen much before the show because all of us ladies are getting ready for the show in our dressing room, and he has to spend pre-show in his own dressing room by himself because he is the only guy. What a problem to have. But other than that we are all kind to each other, we talk with each other, and I love them all dearly. Its a great cast with all around good vibes!

RAPID FIRE WITH RONA CARTER, ANNE MARIE IN ‘A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2’

JHP: What does the audience need to know about Anne Marie?

RONA CARTER: That she’s loyal. Loving. And has had to deal with a lot in her lifetime. And, if there were a phone in those days you could pick it up call her and she’d be there in a heartbeat to help.

JHP: Early on in the play, upon Nora’s unexpected return, as Anne Marie, your greeting to her isn’t exactly what you’d call warm. That gives the audience an immediate sense of Anne Marie’s take-no-guff character. How much fun is that to play?

RONA CARTER: Rona is personally not like Anne-Marie at all. So it’s a lot of fun to play a character like that and, to some audiences it’s hilarious and others it seems a bit disconcerting because of our sentimentality. One of my first lines is you got a little fatter and you got a little older. Just telling it like it is.

JHP: Nashville Rep has a reputation for presenting some of the most gorgeous sets around town, courtesy of set designer, Gary Hoff. What can you tell me about the set of A Doll’s House, Part 2?

RONA CARTER: Gary always creates the  most wonderful environments to play on as an actor. This one is beautiful and has an element I’ve not seen in any others that he’s created. It has a raked stage which means it starts at stage level at the front and works up to 2 feet in the back, so it’s tilted. It’s very presentational and it’s a struggle for the characters to work in that environment. Just as we struggle in life with all her questions in relationships. And, just like the Kleenex box from the 2000s on the stage it gives one the element of something very unique at play here.

JHP: With so much of the play focusing on Nora’s actions in the first and their subsequent affects on her and the family, what do you think audiences will take away from the show?

RONA CARTER: Every audience members going to have a different view on all four characters I think. This is one of the few plays I know of that I’ve been in where you’re going to see a clear cut view from each of the four characters in this play. Each having a strong reason for doing and being who they are. And it could be any of these audience members in part or in whole. And I think people have long discussions about their relationships with others. Marriages. Dating. Loving.

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Galen Fott and Cheryl White in a scene from Nashville Rep’s “A Doll’s House, Part 2”

Audiences will indeed have their chance to peek inside A Doll’s House, Part 2 as the show continues through Saturday, November 3 with performances Friday, October 26 at 7:30p.m., Saturday, October 27 at 2:30p.m. & 7:30p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, October 31 & November 1 at 6:30p.m., Friday, November 2 at 7:30p.m. and Saturday, November 3 at 2:30p.m. & 7:30p.m. Tickets range in price from $25 to $52.50. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. For further details about Saturday, October 27’s special Talkback, Women Talk Back following the 7:30p.m. performance, CLICK HERE. For more about Nashville Rep, CLICK HERE to check out their site, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram, and Facebook.

Studio Tenn annual gala, ‘One Night Only’ at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium Friday, October 19

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On Friday, October 19, Studio Tenn will present their annual fundraising gala, One Night Only, this year dubbed—A Red Carpet Affair. An incredible night of entertainment, food and fun, including an always impressive silent auction, it’s truly one of my personal favorite social events of the season. This year’s party promises to continue the high-energy, stellar talent, Broadway-quality event for which the relatively young theatre company is known. Changing things up a bit, for the first time in the event’s brief but impressive history, Studio Tenn’s One Night Only will take place at War Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Nashville.

Co-charing the event this year are Bob Deal and Jason Bradshaw, who I like to call Nashville’s bon vivant dynamic duo. When asked how they came to co-chair Studio Tenn’s One Night Only, Deal and Bradshaw revealed something very interesting, “Two friends asked if we would be interested in helping out Studio Tenn with their annual Gala, One Night Only as Co-Chairs for the 2018/2019 Season. We both quickly responded with, What’s Studio Tenn?”, they recalled with a grin. That said, apparently all it took was seeing one of Studio Tenn’s gorgeously produced shows earlier this year and they were in. “After seeing a fabulous production of the recent hit, Grease; meeting the talents of the brilliant crew whom make up Studio Tenn; and seeing and hearing those whom are fans of this incredible organization rave about this professional theatre troupe, it all made sense to say YES as Chairmen.”

Bradshaw and Deal also raved about DKates Catering, who’ll be providing the dinner for attendees who opt in for the full sit-down-dinner experience at the gala saying, “Danielle Kates of DKates Catering is doing the delicious food. We had a tasting of fourteen at our home alfresco on September 26. It was lovely. The evening was perfect.”

As for this year’s silent auction, attendees—and this who just like to take advantage of the opportunity to snag a fun and unique action item—have been given a sneak preview via the live online auction co-chaired by Lynne McAlister and Milton White. Having been friends with White for more years than either of us will admit, I reached out to him for his take on working with Bradshaw, Deal and McAlister in preparation of One Night Only. “I loved working with Bob, Jason and Lynne!”, he exclaimed. When asked for details about what the auction has to offer, White eagerly revealed, “This auction has a something for everyone—fabulous food and fashion as well as signed guitars and the chance to dine on the set of Beauty and the Beast!” (the company’s upcoming holiday offering). For a chance to bid on this and all the other items offered at the gala, CLICK HERE.

Speaking of Beauty and The Beast, Laura Matula, a member of the Studio Tenn family known to theatre-goers for her gorgeous vocal skills, having wowed audiences playing everyone from Grease’s Rizzo to The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch, confessed, “I absolutely cannot wait to sing the title song of Beauty and the Beast with my absolute favorite singer, John-Mark McGaha. I will for sure be living out all my Celine Dion childhood dreams and I couldn’t feel any luckier.”

Matula is just one of the many well-known performers who’ll be on stage during this year’s One Night Only. What’s more, she’s also the event’s Music Director/Supervisor. In the weeks leading up to it, she’s organized performers schedules, charted tunes, run rehearsals and coordinated musical equipment staging—a true musical Jill-of-all-trades.

When asked about the mind-blowing musical talent assembled for this year’s even, Matula gushed, “I am astounded by the amount of talent that can fit on one stage whenever I am involved with a Studio Tenn gala. This year’s One Night Only is no exception. We have Broadway performers, American Idols, songwriters and recording artists, Nashville based superstars, and more—phenomenal vocal talents all around plus the most stellar assortment of Nashville musicians: Matt Giraud, Diana DeGarmo, Ace Young, Piper Jones, Melodie Madden Adams, John-Mark McGaha, Libby Black, Megan Murphy Chambers, Eden Espinosa, Bradley Gale, Marissa Rosen…and me, plus an extra special number from Jake Speck and Matt Logan!”

When asked about the change in venue for this year’s gala, Matula revealed, “This year will mark the largest assortment of talent onstage with 12 singers and 13 band members plus some special guests I canąt tell you about! Thank goodness we are at War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville so we can fit everyone on stage! I canąt wait for you to hear the sound of this group!”

I couldn’t chat with Matula without begging for a hint of what to expect. To that end, she teased, “The theme of the music this year is Songs from the Movies. This gave us such a wealth of incredible music to pull from and boy this set list is on fire! We have everything from James Bond to Barbra Streisand to songs from The Greatest Showman, The Bodyguard, Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, Moulin Rouge, and more! It’s bigger and better than ever but with the same intimate feeling the singers on stage bring as members of the incredible Studio Tenn family of artists and entertainers.”

Something many fans, patrons and company members are thinking about is the recent news that Matt Logan, one of Studio Tenn’s co-founders will be leaving his position as Artistic Director, with One Night Only marking his final official event with the troupe. Matula addressed this by adding, “It will also be incredibly emotional as we share our endless love and gracious hearts with Matt Logan as he departs the Studio Tenn family. He is a storyteller and art maker and I am so grateful to be able to be a part of celebrating him for an incredible night.”

With that, I reached out to Logan for his take on the evening. “I’m so excited to hear our powerhouse vocalists. I think it is no secret that I am a huge fan of these Broadway and Tennessee stars. They are not only great friends but the best singers in the world”. He continued, “I know that many of our patrons love their talent but I do think that the patrons love seeing how much we love each other. We have a great community and we don’t take it for granted.”

Of his pending departure, Logan added, “The bittersweet element of my last night is in saying goodbye to a community that has blessed me so richly. do believe that every great chapter must come to an end. The timing is right for me to move on but Im gonna miss it terribly.”

Speaking of bittersweet, as alluded by Matula, Friday’s One Night Only will also feature an on-stage reunion between Logan and Studio Tenn’s other founding member, Jake Speck. Earlier this year, Speck left his position at the company when he accepted a job with a theatre company in Texas. Of the pair’s upcoming One Night Only re-teaming, Logan divulged, “Jake and I will do some talk and song. It’s nothing major, but it will be a final goodbye to the thing we created. We know Studio Tenn will carry on but this chapter will be at an end for us.” Thinking back on the journey that brought him to this point, Logan shared, “The funny thing is that we both were high school buddies growing up in Tennessee and then we were given the chance to bring back what we learned and effect the artistic landscape of Middle Tennessee. Even now, it is hard for me to wrap my brain around the enormous gift we were given. This evening will be a great moment to thank everyone who made Studio Tenn what it is.”

While the evening does mark the end of an era for Studio Tenn, rest assured the company is ready for what the future holds. Of their hopes for the evening, Bradshaw and Deal enthused, “We are honored and delighted to be a part of this event and hope they take back with them, like we did, that special moment that uniquely makes Studio Tenn…a 10!”

One Night Only will not only be chocked-full of jaw-dropping entertainment, festive music and great food, it will also remind attendees just how fabulous the company is as they continue their ninth season and look forward to their history-making tenth year. Select tickets for One Night Only are still available. Table Seating on the Main Floor includes drinks, a delicious dinner, silent auction access and an up-close and personal view of the evening’s entertainment. Tickets are $325.00. Mezzanine/Late Party tickets, which include  pre-show libations, hors d’oeuvres, access to the silent auction and an amazing second story view of the evening’s entertainment are available for $95. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Up next for Studio Tenn, just in time for an enchanted holiday, they’re presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, with performances December 7-30. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. Following Beauty and the Beast, Studio Tenn’s 2018/2019 Season continues with Tennessee William’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof from Friday, February 8 thru Sunday, February 17. That will be followed by this year’s Legacy Series entry, The Sinatra Legacy: A Tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, onstage at The Franklin Theatre, Thursday, March 14-Sunday, March 17. Studio Tenn will wrap their current season with Damn Yankees from Friday, May 17 until Sunday, June 2. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information.

Be sure to check out Studio Tenn online at StudioTenn.com or on social media at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram and Facebook.

 

Rapid Fire 5 Q with Jason Lewis, directing Circle Players’ ‘Hair’ on stage at Looby Theatre thru Sunday, October 21

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The cast of Circle Players’ ‘Hair’ (photo courtesy Circle Players)

Circle Players’ current production, Hair wraps its three-week run with performances Friday, October 19-Sunday, October 21 at the Looby Theatre (2301 Rosa Parks Blvd). First presented on stage 50 years ago, and therefore typically thought of as late-1960s anti-war, musical love-in, the current mounting of the show becomes interestingly relatable to what’s going on in the world around us thanks to director Jason Lewis’ creative eye. Peppering his cast with a few familiar faces, Lewis also reinforces the show’s familial Tribe vibe. With just a few shows left in the run, I recently got the chance to speak with Lewis about the show, his take on it and his cast for an abbreviated version of my recurring Rapid Fire interview feature.

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RAPID FIRE 5 Q WITH HAIR DIRECTOR, JASON LEWIS

JONATHAN H. PINKERTON: Having directed for Circle before, what keeps you coming back?  

JASON LEWIS: Circle Players, through my many returns to Nashville, has always provided me a creative home, even more so now in a directorial capacity. While I was away in New York, old school Circle alums Maggie Bowden and Sue Stinemetz would try to coax me to return and direct for Circle. In the years between their subsequent passings, I faced my own personal setbacks.  I now work for Circle to honor their memories.  People always ask why I don’t just do ‘paid stuff’ since the quality of work is of such caliber and my response is always the same… “Somebody has to be the Mr. Schuester (of Glee fame).”  My background being in education, I love discovering new talent and thrive in the community theatre setting, wowing audiences by exceeding expected results.

JHP: What is it about Hair that drew you to the project?

JASON LEWIS: Well since being back I had helmed one epic show, one funny show and one of spectacle, so to me Hair was a nice middle ground. I wasn’t 100% sure until the Parkland shooting and it’s aftermath. Watching a government do nothing as our youth are (preventatively) being killed off? Watching kids march out of school in protest as we’ve not seen SINCE Vietnam? Instantly, I knew what show I HAD to do. People are on edge politically but they still need hope…and love.

JHP: Among you cast, I spotted a name or two you’ve worked with in the past. what is it about these actors that makes you want to team with them again on this project?

JASON LEWIS: Of my cast I’ve probably worked with Maggie Wood and Scotty Phillips the most.  Both were in Reefer Madness and Bring it On.  Maggie has such a versatile wide range in her abilities, thus a perfect person for each of the roles I’ve given her so far. Scotty works hard and isn’t afraid to step outside his comfort zone.  He stands out in a lead and as an ensemble member. Few local artists can claim that.

JHP: They’re not the only ones you’ve worked with amongst your cast, right?

JASON LEWIS: Besides the aforementioned,  I’ve worked with Amanda Creech, Barrett Thomas and Erica Patterson on Jesus Christ Superstar and Sara Shumway in Reefer/Bring It On and Gillion Welsh and Jarvis Bynum in Reefer, as a director. I also recently shared the stage with Seth Austin Brown, Blake Holliday & Stephanie Twomey in The Full Monty.  Besides being hard workers, the one thing they all have in common is fearlessness when it comes to getting weird, something vital in a Hair tribe member. 

JHP: As a director, what do you hope to get from your actors?

JASON LEWIS: Authenticity and vulnerability as well as completing homework character research assignments in creating their tribe member.  Hair isn’t just about singing, dancing and acting.  My tribe is honoring those actors who workshopped Hair and brought it to life by immersing themselves in 60s counter-culture. Also, I ask that they give themselves over to the uncomfortable moments freely, it is the only way to truly create the organic work of art Hair must be. Never be disingenuous to the material!

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Circle Players’ Hair continues for a final weekend with performances Friday and Saturday, October 19 & 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 21 at 3 p.m. All tickets are $20. Click Here to purchase tickets. For a little more about the cast, Click Here. It should be noted that Circle Players’ website does indeed offer an Audience Advisory of the  show for “nudity, strong language, simulated drug use, adult content and situations that may not be appropriate for all ages”. That said, what better reasons to join the tribe?

Be sure to follow Circle Players on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news, tickets and details about the rest of their 69th Season.

Interested in coverage for your latest entertaining endeavor? Click the contact page and drop me a note. You can also follow JHP Entertainment on Instagram, and Facebook.