Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2022 is off to a great start, and I also hope that you have a lot to build from last year.
2021 ended with a bang. November saw the successful execution of our Inaugural Theatre Crawl at Oaklands. Seven of Rutherford County’s finest thespian troupes performed for over a hundred patrons for three jam packed hours of theatre fun! Thank you to all of those who came, those who performed, and those who spread the word.
2022 looks like it will see even more great productions, starting with our friends at Murfreesboro Little Theatre. They’re first play is Grand Finale. Here are the dates, ticket info, location, cast list and synopsis:
January 6, 7, 8, and 9
Thursday-Saturday at 7pm
Sunday at 2pm
The Walnut House
116 N. Walnut Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Tickets are available now at www.mltarts.com
This show does contain adult language.
It’s the day of Granddaddy’s funeral, and no one has showed up. Rebecca is distraught about her Daddy dying. Caroline and Kathryn are apathetic, spiteful and full of smart-aleck remarks. Caroline is hateful and Kathryn is more interested in getting to a dance later that evening. Evan arrives late with his boyfriend Marshall (who Kathryn keeps hitting on). Evan seems only interested in drinking and leaving especially after insensitive and racist remarks from his Aunt Rebecca about Marshall and their relationship. Brother George is kindly confused about all the drama and frequently falling asleep. Amidst the fighting, the lack of mourners, the botched eulogy, they try to carry the casket out only for the unthinkable to happen. This adds to the hysterics, which culminate in revelations of family secrets, clearing of misunderstandings, and a final understanding of why no one showed up for the funeral.
Cast and Crew:
Directed by Zoë Zent
Rebecca: Keri Lambert
Caroline: Marion Burnette
Kathryn: Leslie Joslin
Evan: Derek Faulkner
Marshall: Alex Jordan
Bro. George: Bob Martin
Granddaddy: Shane Lowery
This show is being performed in memory of Dr. Richard Hansen.
Block off your Valentine’s Day weekend for some theatre, romance…and vampires?! Bravo Boro will debut their production of Dracula, running February 11th-20th at the Mills Pate Center (February 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th at 7; 13th and 20th at 2pm). Fun fact: the 1931 film version of Bram Stoker’s classic premiered on Valentine’s Day, which makes this production perfectly timed in this author’s humble opinion. Seriously, who doesn’t love vampires? (If you don’t we can’t be friends.)
Consider This Theatre Company had to postpone their final weekend of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, but plan to resume January 7th-9th (7pm Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm) at Mills Pate. One last chance to enjoy C.S. Lewis’ groundbreaking fantasy, a truly poetic way to end the liturgical season of Christmas.
Ghost Light Studio is offering three new courses in January:
IMPROV CLUB: Improv Club is a weekly group that meets to play games, learn new improv skills, and simply have fun! We strive to first and foremost create a fun and safe environment where kids and teens can be themselves without judgment! We offer Improv Club with a monthly subscription, which covers your student for every class within that month! nLed By- Eric Massengill & Poem Bokoles
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE: In this fun and active course, students get a chance to learn Broadway style dances from a variety of classic Musical Theatre productions! There is a chance to learn dances from a variety of shows, from The Little Mermaid all the way to Newsies! This course finishes with a smash as the students perform their dance to parents and friends on the last day of class! Each enrollee will also receive a professional video of their performance for their own use! This course is offered every two months, as a new session begins. Led By- Poem Bokoles
CHAR DEVELOPMENT COURSE: In this class, students will learn how to create and build a unique, three dimensional character with depth, personality, and focused motivations. These characters will grow and change throughout the course of a given monologue. Students will learn about character arcs, posture, movement, emotion, and mannerisms. The difference between protagonists and antagonists will be explored, alongside memorization techniques and skills! Led By- Eric Massengill
Please email Poem at poem.atkinson@yahoo.com to sign up!
Murfreesboro M-Prov returns on January 10th at 7pm for weekly improv jam sessions! All skill levels of improv are welcomed, and the event is free. Slots are limited, so if you want to get in on the fun, sign up here:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/
In keeping with our theme of classic literature, Center for the Arts kicks off their 2022 with Roald Dahl’s classic Matilda! The show starts on January 14th and runs through the 30th. Come see everyone’s favorite girl with psychokinetic powers! Tickets on sale at the door and at boroarts.org.
Come out to support these fantastic groups and their fabulous productions! Be sure to save a seat for me!
Grand Finale photo courtesy Emma Hawkins, MLT Board Member
