Brenda Frye

GOOD MORNING, THEATERATI! It's Wednesday, May 24, 2017! How do we know this, you might ask? Well, we spent last evening at TPAC'S Andrew Jackson Hall, soaking up every possible bit of Carole King: The Beautiful Musical - wait, it's the other way around - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and despite the earworm known as 'One Fine Day,' we are still floating on the inspiration and memories of opening night.

On August 22, Cumberland County Playhouse will present Ron Murphy & Lauren Marshall: From A(udra) to Z(eppelin), a one night only concert with one of the most eclectic music mixes you've ever heard. Producer Jim Crabtree came up with the idea for the concert when he heard Ron and Lauren performing some jazz tunes in the lobby. Said Lauren Marshall, 'Jim approached us about doing a concert that would showcase the many different genres of music we enjoy. Ron and I both enjoy Zep; who doesn't? I'm a huge fan of that whole musical genre - The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones. We thought, why not try to adapt the guitar-heavy sound of Led Zeppelin into our style (which for this concert includes a grand piano, keyboard, drums and bass)? It's been challenging, but oh, so much fun.'

On August 22, Cumberland County Playhouse will present Ron Murphy & Lauren Marshall: From A(udra) to Z(eppelin), a one night only concert with one of the most eclectic music mixes you've ever heard. Producer Jim Crabtree came up with the idea for the concert when he heard Ron and Lauren performing some jazz tunes in the lobby. Said Lauren Marshall, "Jim approached us about doing a concert that would showcase the many different genres of music we enjoy. Ron and I both enjoy Zep; who doesn't? I'm a huge fan of that whole musical genre - The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones. We thought, why not try to adapt the guitar-heavy sound of Led Zeppelin into our style (which for this concert includes a grand piano, keyboard, drums and bass)? It's been challenging, but oh, so much fun."

Today, we bring you a list of the most-read stories in our regional markets for the week of September 10 in another edition of 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week'. Browse over to your favorite far-away city/country to see what's making news, see what productions are playing around the country and overseas and get to know new performers! Enjoy this virtual trek around the globe and stay tuned for next week's recap of regional not-to-be-missed news!

Two of Cumberland County Playhouse's favorite actresses and singers-Weslie Webster and Brenda Frye-will be presented in a special 8 p.m. concert performance on Saturday, September 29, entitled interestingly enough An Evening with Brenda Frye and Weslie Webster.

Summer's here, and it's hotter than blue blazes in Tennessee, as theater companies from one end of the state to the other are hard at work to keep audiences engaged and entertained throughout what promises to be one long hot summer. But think of it this way, with yesterday's Summer Solstice-which means we've survived the year's longest day-everything will get just a little bit shorter, promising a respite from the heat and humidity. This week also marked the celebration of National Martini Day, so may we humbly suggest that you grab a shaker, add some ice, vodka and a whisper of vermouth and shake yourself up an ice-cold drink…

With several Tennessee theaters prepping new productions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic The Sound of Music over the upcoming months, one would be well-advised to make the trip to Crossville to see director Weslie Webster's (and music director Ron Murphy's) take on the Von Trapp family musical. Webster, one of Cumberland County Playhouse's most accomplished leading ladies, takes the helm of The Sound of Music with clear-headed confidence and commitment, giving the time-honored musical the added gravitas-the dramatic heft-of historical context, which all too often is glossed over and regretfully forgotten in lesser revivals.

The Sound Of Music returns to Crossville on February 10, as the Cumberland County Playhouse revives the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical directed by Weslie Webster, with musical direction by Ron Murphy, and starring Lindy Pendzick (named to First Nights Top 11 of 2011 for her performance in Little Shop Of Horrors) starring in the role of Maria.

The Sound Of Music returns to Crossville on February 10, as the Cumberland County Playhouse revives the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical directed by Weslie Webster, with musical direction by Ron Murphy, and starring Lindy Pendzick (named to First Nights Top 11 of 2011 for her performance in Little Shop Of Horrors) starring in the role of Maria.

Irvin and Crabtree, producing artistic director at CCP, lead a production company of 50 in the revivial, including Jason Ross, Weslie Webster, Daniel Black, Brenda Frye, Lauren Marshall, and Greg and Lindy Pendzick. Scenery is by Robert Cothran, head of design for a generation at Knoxville's Clarence Brown Company and UT Theaters. Crabtree and John Fionte co-direct, with music direction by Ron Murphy, Leila Nelson as choreographer, and Austin Price and Chaz Sanders as lead dancers.

One of the new events added to the line-up for 2011 First Night, The Theatre Honors was The Women In Theatre Luncheon - which saluted the inaugural eight recipients of The First Night Star Award - held Tuesday, August 30, at The Listening Room Cafe in Cummins Station. Co-chaired by Corrie Miller and Neely O'Brien Green, the event was produced by Jeffrey Ellis, founder and executive producer of First Night.