Topic: John McDonald

Experience “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Roxy Regional Theatre

By Bill Larson | November 12, 2009 |

Set in the romantic past of New Orleans Blanche DuBois’s neurotic and genteel pretensions are no match for the brutish realities of her brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski.

The Roxy Regional Theatre is currently staging the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

To fully understand the intricacies of this masterpiece play, in this writers opinion you just have to come from the south. Otherwise it is all too easy to miss the subtle interplay of these delicious personalities as they intertwine in a tapestry that is as old as, well the south.

You have Blanche DuBois the socialite (Alicia Kelly); the submissive wife Stella (Chase Kamata);  Stanley the abuser (Justin Barnum); the dotting son Harold  (Brenden Cataldo);  among others. The acting was tight, performers seamlessly melding into their roles as if they had been born to them.

Blanche DuBois played by Alicia Kelly (Photo by Tom Thayer)

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First Thursday Art Walk on August 6th

August 4, 2009 |

You’re invited to join the merchants of Historic Downtown Clarksville for the monthly Art Walk, which will be held this month on August 6th from 5 – 8 p.m. Paige King from Hodgepodge sent us this information about August’s artistic extravaganza.

Visions Metaphysical Boutique will host Deborah Raleigh-Chandler, oils–impressionistic, still life; Afton Chandler, acrylics–modern, impressionistic; Amanda Harrison, acrylics–modern, impressionistic (some new pieces); Linda Cain, handcrafted sterling silver & gemstone jewelry (some new pieces).

Art created by last month's Art Walkers

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Personal observations on Cats at the Roxy Regional Theatre

By Debbie Boen | April 15, 2009 |

The opening night performance of “CATS” sold out at the Roxy Regional Theatre.  All the pay-what-you-can night hopefuls were disappointed because so many fans paid full price to reserve and get in to this extraordinary show, which will only get better.  Those who wish to see CATS are encouraged to get their tickets early; the show runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. through May 2.

Artistic Director John McDonald opened the show by telling our audience that this production is a “dream come true” for the Roxy. It is a dream unfolding for lucky Clarksvillians who get to enjoy this ambitious live theatre production.  We’ve watched the Roxy take on bolder and more expensive productions like this, giving year after year of continuous shows of quality in our community.  We, the audience, can help them by going to the shows and supporting this artistic endeavor.

The live theatre experience is different each time we go.  Performers make it different; so do the audience. «Read the rest of this article»

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CATS Opens to a Sold-Out Weekend!

April 12, 2009 |

As part of its 26th season of presenting quality live theatre, the Roxy Regional Theatre in Clarksville, Tennessee, opened the hit musical CATS on Friday, April 10, to a sold-out house.  Tickets are still available for CATS performances through May 2, playing Tuesdays thru Thursdays at 7pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday, April 18.

Based on the universally popular poetry of T.S. Eliot, CATS tells the story, in song and dance, of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats, at which time one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer.  Featuring a cast of seventeen and the fresh and energetic choreography of Braham Logan Crane, CATS is certain to delight and inspire audiences of all ages.

The Roxy Regional Theatre will be performing the Broadway musical hit "CATS." April 10 through May 2. (Photo By: Greg Williamson/The Leaf-Chronicle)

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Pinocchio takes to the Roxy stage

January 8, 2009 |

Experience the Magic of Pinocchio at the Roxy Regional Theatre, in Historic downtown Clarksville, for three performances only: January 17, 24 and 31, at 2 p.m.

We all know the story: Geppetto carves a puppet named Pinocchio! However, Pinocchio must earn the right to be a real boy by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish. Joining the Cat and the Fox on a hilarious journey, learning life lessons along the way, he risks his own life to save Geppetto, who has been swallowed by a whale! «Read the rest of this article»

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Roxy Theater: A cultural resource for audiences of all ages

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 28, 2008 |

In the current economy, many charities are facing bleak prospects for the coming year. End-of-year donations serve a dual function: boosting  the bottom lines of non-profits dedicated to assisting  people or meeting specific community needs, and giving donors the opportunity to make tax-deductible contributions that can be applied to their 2008 taxes. Over the next week, we will profile a number of community agencies and organizations who can benefit from your generosity.

The Roxy Regional Theatre is much more than an entertainment venue; it is a teaching tool that brings live professional performance the thousands of school students throughout the year, and also provides an educational component via acting/theatre calsses for young people. «Read the rest of this article»

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“A Christmas Carol” is the Roxy’s shining Christmas star

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 17, 2008 |

There’s still one more weekend to view the Roxy Regional Theatre production of Charles Dickens’  “A Christmas Carol.”

John McDonald penned this version of the much-told tale, and takes the leading role with a wicked sense of comic timing as the grumbling “bah humbug” curmudgeon. Whether it’s the growling sneer, the skeptical raised eyebrows, or the shuddering fear of his ghosts, McDonald is magical. And I am betting he had a grand time creating and sustaining this role.

“A Christmas Carol,” for the few who may not know,” is the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, greedy, selfish, and completely unconcerned with the fate of, well, everybody. It is only when faced with the loves and losses in his past, the tragedy of the present and the dismal future as unfurled by visiting Christmas Eve  ghosts does Scrooge see the error of his ways. «Read the rest of this article»

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The Chimes: The Roxy’s gift to Clarksville

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 5, 2007 |

Chimes, often referred to as Charles Dicken’s “other Christmas Carol,” is an elaborate and intricately staged holiday production told through a mix of narrative and dialogue. The play runs through December 22 at the Roxy Regional Theatre in downtown Clarksville.

This adaptation, written and directed by the Roxy’s own John McDonald, also features McDonald in a supporting role as Browley, Lord and ostentacious husband to Lady Browley (Nikki Ferry who has a dual role in this show), both representing a piece of the aristocracy. They are only equaled in this theatrical rendition of the upper crust by the Alderman (Luke Eddy), whose disdainful arrogance for the poor and “unworthy” make one want to jump up from the audience.

Fern and Veck admire Baby Lillian

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Roxy stages ‘Picture of Dorian Gray’

By Christine Anne Piesyk | October 9, 2007 |

Pulling a story from classic literature, the Roxy Regional Theater will open The Picture of Dorian Gray on Wednesday, October 12. The production will run through October 27. It has been adapted from the Oscar Wilde novel for this stage by John McDonald.

Written originally as a story by Oscar Wilde, it was first published as a feature in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in 1890 and subsequently published as a novel in 1891.

The story of Dorian Gray is the story of a society figure, a young man whose portrait is painted by artist Basil Hallward, a man obsessed with his subject. Hallward sees his subject as an inspiration for a new mode of art. Gray then meets Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of the artist, and becomes enthralled with Wotton’s hedonistic life view, setting the stage of a quest for eternal youth and beauty.

As Dorian cries out his desire to be perennially young, his wish is granted and his life spirals into a whorl of debauchery, self-indulgence and a pursuit of all things youthful.

It is the portrait that ages, becoming scarred with each of Dorian’s depraved acts. Hidden in the recesses of the attic, the portrait ages, is savaged to its very soul with every sin committed. «Read the rest of this article»

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