Topic: Roxy Regional Theatre

Roxy revs up for 26th season of theatre

By Christine Anne Piesyk | September 3, 2008 |

John McDonald (l) and Tom Thayer in front of the Roxy Regional Theatre

The Roxy Regional Theatre’s 26th Season will enrich all the senses!

Although the 2008-09 season opens September 19, the annual gala is slated from September 20. The first play to hit the stage: The Robber Bridegroom, book and Lyrics by Alfred Uhry, music by Robert Waldman, adapted from the novella by Eudora Welty.

One of the only genuine bluegrass scores ever heard in a Broadway musical, this unusual tale of the Natchez Trace has a distinctive sound all its own. The Robber Bridegroom is the story of the courting of Rosamund, the only daughter of the richest planter in the country, by Jamie Lockhart, a rascally robber of the woods. The proceedings go awry, thanks to an unconventional case of double-mistaken identity. Throw in an evil stepmother intent on Rosamund’s demise, her pea-brained henchman and a hostile talking head-in-a-trunk, and you have the recipe for a rollicking country romp. Play dates are September 19, through October11. «Read the rest of this article»

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Impeccable cast ’shakes up’ the Roxy stage with repertoire of Elvis hits

By Christine Anne Piesyk | July 26, 2008 |

The Roxy Regional Theatre’s new production, All Shook Up, is a rollicking romp through our musical “yesterday.” It’s an Elvis Presley fantasy set in a small town where all the action is played out through a score that could be subtitled “Elvis Presley’s Greatest hits.”

Natalie (Maria Maloney) falls instantly in love with Chad (Bryan Davis), who’s ridden into town a bold Red Harley.

It’s the third show I’ve seen in a year that has taken this route of mixing one singer or groups’ music and parlaying that playlist into a new form, integrating the music as part of the storyline. The film Across the Universe did a masterful job with the repertoire of the Beatles’, while the Mama Mia movie fared less well with its ABBA soundtrack. This live theatre production, All Shook Up, and this fabulous Roxy cast come out on the highest end of that scale.

• First, as we baby boomers know, you can’t go wrong with a good Elvis song.
• Second, this Roxy cast was perhaps its strongest ever ensemble of singers/dancers/actors/comics.
• Third, they had clever material and fine hand in direction and choreography.

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Headin’ South, Goin’ North

By Bill Larson | July 14, 2008 |

The second event of the 4th annual Clarksville’s Writers Conference was a play at the Roxy Regional Theater. Headin’ South Goin’ North written by John McDonald mixes local historical sites and personages into a fictional story to give an engaging account of the Civil War era.

The story is of Charlie Lurton, a Clarksville boy.  The play follows Charlie (Brad Vile) and his companion Peter (Humberto Figueroa) through their escape from a Union prison camp, to their fate when they arrive back home. The story also follows Mrs. Lurton (Jill Whittinghill) as she makes her way to secure authorization for the release of another son, Horace (Joe Sonenshein) who was suffering from tuberculous. «Read the rest of this article»

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Think Clarksville! Shop Clarksville!

May 29, 2008 |

Lately, the national economic news is rather bleak—there’s even been the reluctant mention of the “R” word, but how does it apply to our area? Further, what can we do about it?

According to a new U.S. Census report, the Clarksville TN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area is now the 10th-fastest growing MSA in the nation. Even though the national news may be depressing, our local economy is in good shape. Jimmy Settle, business editor for The Leaf Chronicle, says of the recent slow down in the residential market, “It’s a temporary condition, and should be perceived as more of a correction in the market, than a troubling decline. The truth is, the economy in northern Middle Tennessee is currently one of the nation’s best.”

The other truth is the residents in Clarksville are doing more than their share when it comes to helping the economic growth for surrounding cities and counties. The numbers are quite staggering! (More on those numbers later . . .)

The entire nation is feeling the pain at the gas pump. Gas prices are at an all time high and climbing higher. We’re all thinking about how to save gas, which will then make more money available for the necessary expenses and the extras; extras like dining out, shopping for clothes and home goods, entertainment, and more. Where will we be dropping those shopping and dining dollars? «Read the rest of this article»

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Tuesdays with Morrie: a stunning memoir tugs heartstrings on Roxy stage

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 25, 2008 |

A minimalist production of Tuesdays with Morrie opened this week at the Roxy Regional Theater with breathtaking performances by its two stars: Jay Doolittle and Joe Sonenshein. The finely woven connection between both men manifests itself as a tour-de-force performance of Broadway caliber.

Morrie (Jay Doolittle at left) with Mitch (Joe Sonenshein) in the Roxy Regional theatre production of Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie.

Doolittle as the aged professor Morrie Schwartz and Sonenshein as student/author Mitch Albom loom larger than life even as they navigate the simplest truths of living, dying and what it means to love. The play is based on real-life Albom’s memoir of the same title. This is adaptation of another medium at its finest and our actors capitalize on that. «Read the rest of this article»

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‘High School Musical’ performs to enthusiastic sold-out crowds

By Debbie Boen | April 17, 2008 |

The Roxy Regional Theatre production of High School Musical continues it run before sell-out crowds. The show runs through this weekend and features 27 local artists and 8 professionals.

Three Cheers for ‘ High School Musical’!

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High School Musical: Another Roxy hit!

By Debbie Boen | March 29, 2008 |

I always brag about the fact that I saw the Roxy Regional Theatre’s performance of Footloose 17 times. It was exhilarating, every single time. Well, I’ve found something that has got that performance beat. It’s the brand new Roxy performance of High School Musical. I attended a dress rehearsal of the show, and I could barely stay in my seat by the end.

The show is choreographed by Michael Hartman, and features a long list of local talent from our Clarksville area high schools, along with outstanding performances by the professional actors. It’s a truly wonderful time with singing and dancing.

Oh what a theme! It’s okay to be different! It’s okay if you don’t fit in with the “status quo.” I really love it. I had no idea that was the point of the story as I had no interest in watching it on TV. What is also great about this show is that the kids are sincerely having a great time up on stage. They are really into it.

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Clarksville residents interviewed for new Dunbar Cave film

By Debbie Boen | January 20, 2008 |

Clean Cut Productions at APSU is making a short introductory film for Dunbar Cave. This film will introduce Dunbar Cave to its visitors and talk about how the cave was formed, its cultural history, and how it is a natural area. The Friends of Dunbar Cave is sponsoring the costs of production.

The mouth of Dunbar Cave providing 58 degree natural air-conditioning. Picture taken in 1890 and hand colored for postcard.

“I remember when Dizzy Dean, the famous pitcher turned sportscaster, and Joe Namath, came to a huge golf tournament at Roy Acuff’s newly built golf course,” (now Swan Lake Golf Course). “They gave out baseballs with Dizzy Dean’s autograph on them. I think I still have mine somewhere. That was when Joe Namath had just gone pro,” says Jerry Clark in a recent filmed interview at Dunbar Cave State Natural Area.

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