The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's residentprofessional theatre company, will present two Christmas shows in repertory for theupcoming holiday season. The Last Night of Ballyhoo will open on Nov. 27, 2009 for arun through Dec. 20, 2009 and the world premiere of A Hard-Boiled Christmas will open on Nov. 29 for a run through Dec. 23.
Both shows will be presented at the theatre,located in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six. Alfred Uhry's holiday comedy, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, is set in December1939. While Gone with the Wind storms the silver screen and Hitler invades Poland, thebiggest concern of Atlanta's Freitag family is "Ballyhoo," a lavish ball for southern Jewish socialites. When Uncle Adolph brings Joe - his new, very eligible assistant -home for dinner, the romantic schemes begin. This comedy captures the same heartfeltwarmth as the author's earlier success, Driving Miss Daisy.
"The Last Night of Ballyhoo is a wonderfully rich script," said Director LauraSkaug. "It presents us with the reality of southern anti-Semitism in the midst of theJewish community itself while never losing its structure as a romantic comedy. Uhry'swriting is so funny and so real - it is a joy to work with this group of actors on it."Ballyhoo features Nashville stage veterans Adele Akin and Dan McGeachy along with Chris Basso, Christina Candilora, Jaclyn Johnson, Terry Occhiogrosso and Brad Oxnam. In repertory with Ballyhoo is the world premiere of the original musical comedyA Hard-Boiled Christmas. Conceived and directed by BRT Executive Director Jamey Green, is an all-new holiday revue featuring some of the Boiler Room Theatre's long-time cast members, highlights from previous BRT holiday shows, sketch comedy, dancing, and loads of great holiday music.
"It's kind of like crossing The Carol Burnett Show with Monty Python's Flying Circus. Just crazy fun," said Green. "Song after song, sketch after sketch, it's basically achance for some of BRT's regulars to get together and celebrate the holiday season. Nocomplex plotlines or heavy scenes - just pure holiday froth."Co-written by Green, the show features material by Corbin Green, LewisKempfer (That '60s Christmas Show; Billy Bob's Holiday Hoedown), Sarah Morgan and Kathy Shepard (Smoky Mountain Mist). A Hard-Boiled Christmas stars Megan Murphy, Jack E. Chambers, Scott Rice, Sondra Morton, Laura Thomas Sonn, Scott Stewart, Blake Marshall, Taylor Green, Hope Dyra and Luke Dyra. Jamey Green also serves as musical director. Both productions feature costume designs by Melissa Cannon and set design by Corbin Green.Both productions will run in repertory with alternating performance dates. Showsare held on select Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings at 8 p.m., all Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with discount Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
The complete performance schedule for both shows may be accessed at www.BoilerRoomTheatre.com. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (age 60 and up) and students (age13 through college with valid ID), and $19 for children ages 3 through 12. Matinee pricesare $2 less respectively. All Tuesday shows are two-for-one ($25 for two tickets; no other discounts apply). Tickets may be purchased by calling the Boiler Room Theatre at 615-794-7744 or ordered online at www.BoilerRoomTheatre.com
