GroundWorks Theatre Preps DADDY WENT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS For Darkhorse Run

GroundWorks Theatre  and playwright/director Myra Stephens give a decidedly Southern accent to the holiday season as they present Daddy Went Home for Christmas from December 14-23 at Nashville's Darkhorse Theatre. Described by the playwright as "a parody of all things Southern," consider it a holiday-themed gift of love, dental issues and the death of a loved one.

Written and directed by Stephens, the cast features Joy Tilley Perryman, Adrienne Hite, Betty Haynes Davis, Bakari King, Matt Coram, C.F. Railing, Melissa Williams, Adele Akin and Tracy Harp, along with a group of "Nashville notables," who will be making cameo appearances during each performance of the original comedy.

The six performances include six Nashvillians appearing for the charity of their choice-some 15 percent of each night's profits will be donated to a cause or charity championed by the special guest star.

Metro Councilman Jason Holleman kicks off the special appearances on opening night,  Friday, December 14. Other "notables" appearing include Jeffrey Ellis, BroadwayWorld.com contributing editor and founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, on Saturday, December  15; and Bradley George, Morning Edition host on Nashville Public Radio's WPLN, on Sunday, December 16. 

Ellis' charity of choice is The Brown Dog Foundation.

Featured during the second weekend of performances will be Rick Britton, rector of St. Ann's Episcopal Church, on Friday, December 21; Robert A. O'Connell, 2010 First Night Honoree and executive director of the Tennessee State Employees Association, on Saturday, December 22; and "a well-known Nashville actor"-whose identity won't be revealed until showtime-will conclude the slate of cameos on Sunday, December 23.

Performances are at Nashville's Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Avenue. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. on  Friday and Saturday (December 14, 15, 21 and 22) and Sunday matinees (December 16 and 23) are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets ($15 door, $12 reserved, $10 students & seniors) are available online at www.groundworkstheatre.com. 

Pictured: Joy Tilley Perryman and Adrienne Hite

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

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