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Cathy Street

Rapid Fire 10Q With ‘The Tide’ Playwright/Director Cathy Street and Cast Member Chris Lee; World Premiere Staged Reading at Darkhorse Theatre July 9-11

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While most folks were experimenting with sourdough and reorganizing closets during the pandemic, playwright and director Cathy Street used that uncertain time in a much more creative way. At her husband JJ‘s suggestion, Street listened to the music of The War and Treaty. From the get, the music of the then-future Grammy nominees sparked something in Street as the project began to take shape. What started as an idea in 2020 has become THE TIDE, a powerful new musical featuring songs by The War and Treaty with a book by Cathy Street. Working with Street Theatre Company– the company Street herself founded in 2006–to present this staged readying at The Darkhorse Theatre July 9-11—it’s the perfect symbiotic homecoming indeed. 

The reading also features another Nashville homecoming as Chris Lee takes on THE TIDE‘s lead role, Marcus. Lee’s acting career began to take shape while attending Belmont University, appearing in a a handful of production on campus and around Music City. In the years since, his career has taken him from local theatre stages to the Chicago company of Hamilton, a Broadway debut in Hell’s Kitchen as well as acclaimed roles on TV’s The Chi and his current role as Randy on CBS‘s Tracker. Before audiences experience this exciting new work in development, we caught up with Street and Lee for another edition of JHPEntertainment.com’s recurring interview feature Rapid Fire 10Q. 

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RAPID FIRE 10Q WITH THE TIDE’s PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR CATHY STREET AND ACTOR CHRIS LEE

RAPID FIRE WITH THE TIDE‘s PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR CATHY STREET

JHPENTERTAINMENT: THE TIDE began taking shape during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history. Looking back to 2020, what was the spark that first made you realize this story was one you simply had to tell?

CATHY STREET: It was a combination of a few things: feeling isolated during the pandemic, the social injustices that were happening at the time (and obviously still are), hearing the music of The War and Treaty, and learning their story.  All of those elements came together and I wanted to explore the issue of feeling powerless when everything is so overwhelming…and what it is that keeps us going forward in the face of feeling helpless. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: The songs of The War and Treaty are so emotionally rich and deeply rooted in hope, perseverance and love. What was it about their music that inspired this story, and what was it like reaching out to them with your vision and receiving their blessing to build a musical around their work?

CATHY STREET: It was magical. The Hearts Town album in particular is written SO theatrically! The harmonies, the feel/emotions of the songs…I could literally visualize moments on stage listening to the songs. I reached out to Michael and Tanya through Facebook (!) and asked them how they would feel if I used their songs in an original musical. I let them know the idea of the piece and they were very enthusiastic. They said they had always felt their songs had a theatrical life to them. So at that point I started writing, met with them a couple of times, and they even shared a few songs that had not previously been released that were perfect for the story!

JHPENTERTAINMENT: Thanks in part to a successful Kickstarter campaign THE TIDE is making its debut with this world premiere staged reading in Nashville, presented by Street Theatre Company—the company you founded 20 years ago. What does it mean to introduce this new musical in the city where Street Theatre Company began and to see the organization continuing to thrive all these years later?

CATHY STREET: WOW is all I can say. It is so fitting to be introducing the work here. Randy Craft has done such an amazing job at the helm of STC-he’s been  A.D. almost as long as I was! I have been lucky enough to sneak in and see a few STC shows through the years and he is doing such impressive work. Being able to partner with him and so many STC friends from my years here has been very emotional. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’ve assembled a cast that includes longtime Street Theatre Company favorites alongside some exciting new performers, including a reunion with Chris Lee. What made this group the right artists to help introduce THE TIDE to an audience for the very first time?

CATHY STREET: When I reached out to Chris about this, I told him the truth-that when I started writing this piece, he was always who I pictured as Marcus in a ‘perfect world.’ And crazy that the perfect world has come true. And having STC friends involved onstage and off-it is like a beautiful reunion. There is so much joy, reminiscing, and love in the room. And I don’t want to leave out the new people I am getting to work with, too. They are incredible and kind and talented. Nashville is so spoiled with talent! Also super cool is that I did an initial seated reading of the show in Wilmington, NC a few years back and a few of those actors are coming into town for THIS one, too.

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As the director of this staged reading, you are now bringing the world you created in THE TIDE from the page to the stage. What has that process been like, and what does it mean to have Randy Craft and Street Theatre Company supporting this next step in the musical’s journey?

CATHY STREET: The process has been (and still is) pretty terrifying-haha. Every day I have a range of emotions from excitement to fear. I mean, I think anyone developing a piece is probably filled with self-doubt along the way. Right?? But when I hear the actors sing the songs with vocal arrangements created by STC’s Randy Craft, who’s not only helping us produce it, but also leading the band, I am so happy-hearing and seeing what was in my head six years ago. And I am reminded by my supportive friends and amazing husband JJ who has been with me every step of the way that this is only a step in the journey. It is not expected to be done-that’s why we are doing this. To see what works, what doesn’t… And honestly, seeing it on stage in and with my community of 13 years in Nashville is enough-it provides me with a sense of completion. I am surrounded by support and love and I feel it-so to quote a line from the show, I will just “Do it scared.” 

RAPID FIRE WITH THE TIDE‘s MARCUS, ACTOR CHRIS LEE

JHPENTERTAINMENT: What does it feel like returning to Nashville—and to the Street Theatre Company family—to help introduce THE TIDE to audiences?

CHRIS LEE: Wow. Honestly, brother, it’s been absolutely incredible. Remarkably refreshing. Being around so many artists of deferent ages and background that truly just care about the work and nothing more feels so rare these days in theatre. Not to mention where it all really began for me. Nashville theatre is the center of my stage education and Cathy gave me so many opportunities as a young person to shine, learn with grace, and find my voice with the audience. It’s been such a joy to be back and help bring life to this thoughtful piece. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You’re not the only one returning home…Marcus—your staged reading role in THE TIDE—returns home aa well. While he expects one reality, he finds his world turned upside down. How would you describe Marcus and his circumstances, and what makes him such a compelling character to explore?

CHRIS LEE: Marcus feels to me like a beautiful representation of the average American. Experiencing trauma in life can often aid us in creating a narrative that hope may be a fallacy. And that narrative can be validated by the terrible issues that we as a nation develop over time or realize have always been underlying and begin to come to light in a way that makes us feel like everything we’ve been taught about love and acceptance is a lie. What makes Marcus so compelling to me is that he feels so deeply while he claims he can’t feel. He’s in constant search for reason though it seems he’s given up. It leads me to believe we are never actually truly satisfied with hanging it up in life. There’s something in us that won’t let go of trying to find that light within ourselves and others around us. There must be good. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: As you’ve gotten to know Marcus throughout the rehearsal process, what’s one quality or character trait he possesses that you’d be ok if it stays with you?

CHRIS LEE: His curiosity. Though he’s defeated, he remains curious of the future. Especially when it comes to Faith. He’s curious if it’s possible to find the hope she has. I admire that. 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: You built the foundation of your career performing with Street Theatre Company and other Nashville theaters. Looking back now, how did those experiences prepare you for the path that’s followed—from Hamilton in Chicago to The Chi and your current role as Randy on CBS’s hugely popular action drama Tracker? (congrats on the bump to series regular for the upcoming 4th Season, btw!)

CHRIS LEE: Haha, thank you. Man, there’s so much to say about that. Simply put, I would’ve never been prepared to truly understand the responsibility of carrying and serving a show. It was monumental that at such a young age I was able to fail gracefully on stage in safe environments. I learned everything and still apply the same principals today. I’m eternally grateful. Especially to Cathy and the Belmont University Musical Theatre program! 

JHPENTERTAINMENT: THE TIDE explores themes of fear, freedom, resistance and the importance of human connection. What do you hope audiences take away after experiencing this first staged reading?

CHRIS LEE: I hope that if they’re asleep they WAKE UP! And if they’re awake they remain alert and aware that change is inevitable but it is necessary. We must do our part!

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THE TIDE: A New Musical features songs by The War and Treaty with a book by Cathy Street. Joining Chris Lee, is a talented cast including Isiah Rankin, Dee Hammonds, Raven Buntyn, Dawson Rose Hammonds, James Rudolph, Savannah Stein, Brandon Cox, O’Neal Black, Nikki Berra, Tristan Valdez, Shane Kopischke, Tony Nappo, Alan Smith, Adrian Cook & Clay Hillwig with ensemble members Heidi Buyck, Sam Robinson, Yeavonne Cox, Sarah Levis, Helen Ralston, Jake Peluso-Harper, Brea Lynn Wardlaw and Jon Royal. Crew for THE TIDE includes: Music Director Randy Craft, Stage Manager Sarah Johnson, Light Designer/Operator Steven Steele, Sound Designer/Operator Jacob Allen, Projections JJ Street with live musical accompaniment by Conductor/Keyboardist Randy Craft , Nick Palmer on Guitar, Bassist Braxton Algood & JJ Street on Drums.  

Presented FREE to all attendees by Street Theatre Company, the production is part of the musical’s ongoing development journey, with audience feedback helping shape the future of this new work. The production contains strong language, potentially disturbing imagery and references to assault. Viewer discretion is advised for younger audience members. The world premiere staged reading runs July 9-11, 2026, with a 7:30 curtain each night at The Darkhorse Theater (4610 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209). 

To RSVP for FREE tickets to any of THE TIDE‘s three staged readings, CLICK HERE. For future developments of THE TIDE and to catch their coming season, follow Street Theatre Company on Facebook and Insta or CLICK HERE to join their mailing list.

Following THE TIDE, STC kicks off their 2026/2027 Season with THE WOODSMAN, an inventive exploration of the untold story of the Tin Man inspired by Frank L. Baum‘s Oz novels. Written by James Ortiz with music by Edward W. Hardy and lyrics by Jennifer Loring, this adaptation tells the story through puppetry, song and movement and will be directed for STC by Jonah M. Jackson, CLICK HERE to purchase season tickets.

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

Review: Street Theatre founder Cathy Street returns to mine plenty of talent in surprisingly poignant ’Burnt Part Boys’

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On the heels of previous mountings of the classic Three Penny Opera, the slightly more obscure Eclipsed and the quirky Title of Show, Street Theatre Company continues to showcase the theatre’s ability to offer up rarely presented theatre with their current production, The Burnt Part Boys; on-stage thru September 1. What’s more, Cathy Street, the company’s founder has briefly returned to Nashville to direct with musical direction from STC’s Artistic Director Randy Craft and a mood-enhancing set courtesy Will Butler.

While the story of a West Virginia coal mine set to reopen in 1962, on the tenth anniversary of a fatal cave-in that took the lives of several of the small town’s men might not seem the stuff of which musicals are made, in the more than capable hands of Street and the top-notch cast she’s assembled, The Burt Part Boys is an unexpectedly emotional coming-of-age story, the likes of which Nashville’s theatre community has rarely seen.

Surprisingly, The Burnt Part Boys isn’t the first musical to broach the subject of a mining town, lest we forget Billy Elliott the Musical, the lesser-known Floyd Collins and the oft-rumored in-the-works Loretta Lynn forthcoming autobiographical musical, but thanks to Street Theatre’s current production, it’s certain to ignite interest going forward.

Kayla Petrille, Seth Bennett and Chamberlin Little in STC’s “The Burnt Part Boys” (photos by Sarah Johnson/courtesy Street Theatre Company

The Burnt Part (named for the section of the mine where the aforementioned fatal accident occurred) is of particular interest brothers Jake (Nick Fair) and Pete (Seth Bennett) and their respective best pals Chet (Shane Kopischke) and Dusty (Chamberlin Little). As the play opens, Jake and Chet, both now grown men, are excited about the reopening of the mine and the chance to carry on their late-fathers’ legacies as they take up the literal torch to join the miners. Meanwhile, armed with a bit of TNT borrowed from Jake’s locked work-kit, younger brother Pete, who was only a toddler when the mine shut down, has other ideas, as he convinces his friend Dusty to join him on an mission to stop the mine from reopening. Along the way the two younger boys enlist the help of Francis (Kayla Petrille), orphaned by the incident, to be Sacagawea to their Lewis and Clark.

Poignantly featured throughout the piece as the men lost in the mine’s now legendary cave-in are Imari Thompson, Tyler Evick, Elliott Robinson, and Brooks Bennett. Rounding out the cast is Mike Baum as Pete and Jake’s father (and a myriad of other characters summoned courtesy Pete’s imagination.

With a hefty nod to the storytelling abilities of Mark Twain, playwright Mariana Elder has created a cast of likable young characters. To their credit, each of Street’s actors not only makes the most of their individual roles, but also portrayed this in such a nuanced way that they are uniquely their own.

Making his Street Theatre debut, Fair plays Jake with a bit of self-assuredness mixed with a sense of duty and responsibility. Poised to take up the mantle of leader for the new miners, Fair’s Jake comes across as a natural leader. Fair’s nuanced portrayal emphasizes Jake’s commanding presence by stranding tall, never slouching and walking across the stage with chest-out and arms swinging in perfect synchronized movement.  Conversely, when scenes involving his younger sibling, Jake’s nurturing side is revealed, offering the audience a different side of the seemingly stand-offish Jake.

Nick Fair and Shane Kopischke as Jake and Chet in STC’s “The Burnt Part Boys”

Kopischke’s Chet, on the other hand, while outwardly boasting about his latest romantic conquests, simultaneously talks of contentment with being Jake’s right hand man, revealing a more obvious internal self-doubt and sense of place. The above-referenced nuances of characterization are most evident in Kopischke’s Chet. In finding his character, the actor has adapted a forward-pelvic-thrusted stance and way of walking leading with his hips, perhaps to reinforce the fact that he’s no longer the little boy who lost his father in the mines. It’s a sort of redneck swagger that visually says “I’m the man, don’t f with me”.

Having seen both Fair and Kopischke in shows since they were youngsters, and knowing they have known each other since they were young, it’s nice to see them both mature as actors and to witness their growth as musical performers as well. The fact that they have a friendship off-stage certainly benefits the duo’s onstage chemistry.

As for the younger trio, Seth Bennett’s Pete comes across as the boy next door. Charming, kind, and full of determination. Alluding back to my Mark Twain, comparison, he’s definitely the Tom Sawyer of the piece.

Seth Bennett and Chamberlin Little as Pete and Dusty in STC’s “The Burnt Part Boys”

Pete’s best friend, Dusty is played to perfection by Chamberlin Little. If Pete is Tom Sawyer, think of Little’s Dusty as Tom’s faithful friend Jim, albeit much younger and, in a nice change of pace, the only of the characters whose home life is ideal, considering Pete has both is parents and as the story frequently reminds us, always has plenty of Alpha Bits cereal in stock in the family pantry. Chamberlin plays Dusty with an eagerness and devotion to his friend Pete, but with reservation about their pending mission to stop the mine from reopening. Their relationship showcases a more balanced friendship that that of Jake and Chet. While the older boys seems to be content with what would appear to almost be status differences, Dusty and Pete are equals in their friendship.

Continuing with the Twain allegory, Petrille’s Frances can be seen as equal parts Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher. Having survived in the woods near the Burnt Part since her father’s death in the mines, she’s got the street smarts—or, more accurately wood smarts of Huck Finn, but when her defenses are down, their an obviously attraction to Pete, allowing her to be just a little bit Becky Thatcher.

While Evick, Robinson, Thompson and Bennett have only limited on-stage time as the original miners, when their voices blend for the ensemble numbers, its a joyful sound indeed. Perhaps because Street Theatre is housed in the auditorium of a church, the term raise the rafters certainly applies. Limited as their appearances are, they’re key to the story and the outcome. There’s truly not a miscast actor amongst the ensemble or the entire show.

Given the fact that Pete was so young when the mining accident occurred, it’s evident he looks up to older brother, Jake as a father figure. Through dialogue and a few clever fantasy sequences, Pete’s penchant for movies of the day, as they relate to historical figures like Sam Houston, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie is also revealed. Reinforcing the hero status of his late father, you gotta love that Baum not only plays the boy’s dad, but also appears (hilariously so, I might add) as John Wayne, Houston, Bowie and Crockett in these fantasy sequences.

The score, with music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, is absolutely beautiful with traces of period-authentic mountain music that doesn’t rest entirely on bluegrass, also incorporating the gentle resonances of mid-century gospel and more classic show tunes of the era. The tunes throughout are enjoyable, with some even evoking unexpected emotions. Heck, my eyes may or may not have sweated a time or two during the show. From Kopischke and Fair’s Eight Hours and Bennett’s telling Man I Never Knew to each and every fantasy segment featuring Baum, the songs, while perhaps not as earworm-worthy as your average Disney musical, do indeed serve the show well.

That said, to be honest, the only song I truly remember is the humorous Davy Crockett, midway through Act 1 as performed by Baum as Crockett and the rest of the company. No, they don’t do a cover of the 1955 chart-topper theme from TV’s Fess Parker-starring western (as sung by then-future Days of Our Lives legend Bill Hayes), instead, it’s a clever little ditty in which Pete imagines Davy helping him break down the fence at the entrance of The Burnt Part. With simple, but noteworthy lyrics about why Davy Crockett hates fences, there’s a definitely SPOILER ALERT hidden within the words of this song.

While that may be the only song I remember, most likely because of my affinity for all things related (even remotely) to Days of Our Lives, the show is peppered with some quite beautiful songs that, in the more than capable talents of cast members like Fair, Bennett and Petrille, serve to not only move the story along, but to also, as indicated above, move the audience as well.

With the majority of the action taking place on the side of the mountain leading to the mine, the choice by director Street and set designer Butler to not go literal with a slanted mountainside, but rather to feature a stripped-down set constructed intricately, but visually simply, of wooden slates, reminiscent of the interior of the mine shaft itself, is truly inspired. Also notable, the movement of the actors as they scale the mountainside, thanks to Street’s astute direction, it comes across as realistic, and not overly-done. Drawing the audience into the physical (and emotional) struggle of these young people as they head to their destiny.

Congrats also to lighting designer Katie Gant, whose subtle, but powerful use of lighting, from a simple flashlight to the dead miner’s headlamps, only adds to the power of the piece.

One final note…with Pete, Dusty and Frances on a course to prevent the mine from opening, and Jake and Chet hot on their their tail like Sam Houston racing to victory in San Jacinto, the fate of our five is blissfully left to interpretation, but thanks to Street’s thoughtful and meticulous direction, there are indeed hints to their fate throughout the play, whether it be as subtle as a spoken promise that comes to fruition in a single action near play’s end, or a shared glance between actors, the hints are their, it’s just perfectly left for the audience to decide, should they choose.

Street Theatre Company’s The Burnt Part Boys continues on the perfectly intimate stage located in the west wing of Holy Trinity Community Church (6727 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209) with performances at 7 :30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, August 24 & 25 and Thursday, August 30 thru Saturday, September 1. CLICK HERE for tickets or more information. Next up for Street Theatre is Bklyn: The Musical, on stage November 2-17. Follow Street Theatre Company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest.

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