Kendall Anne Thompson Concludes a Year-Long Run at the Roxy with “Beehive”

Written by John McDonald
Roxy Regional Theatre

Clarksville, TN – Kendall Anne Thompson will forever be known to Roxy fans as “The Green Girl,” a moniker she justifiably won while performing her star turn last season in “Shout: The Mod Musical”.

So, we color-coded her in green again for her farewell performance in “Beehive: The ‘60s Musical Sensation”. When Beehive closes this weekend, she takes with her a piece of our hearts and leaves with a cache of credits — The Sound of Music (Maria), Almost Heaven, The Civil War, Bea(u)tiful in the Extreme (Sacagawea), Doubt (Sister James), Hamlet (Ophelia), A Christmas Carol (Belle/Mary), Tape (Amy), Around the World in 80 Days (Aouda), Dracula (Vampiress) — credits which would be coveted by any actress at the end of a long career, but even more so by someone so young, so talented and so giving an artist. Kendall has thrilled this senior citizen and awakened feelings I had long forgotten, some parental and a few prurient.

She will leave, as many artists have, and hopefully, like my friend and favorite actress Leslie Greene, will return for Spring Awakening. Another Roxy favorite, Jay Doolittle, is coming back for A Christmas Carol. Ashton Crosby returns not only to recreate his performance as Mark Twain, but stay on to play the pivotal role of Dr. Manette in A Tale of Two Cities.

There are so many good and civic-minded people in our community. Joel Thomas, in his unique way, has lighted and lightened our load by seeing a need and filling it, increasing the lights in our house. It makes a big change, for now all audience members can read their programs. We have needed this for a long time. Thank you, Joel.

I never can say enough good things about Officer Jim Knoll. I don’t think we have had a Gala without his presence. Jim is like the policeman in the Dick and Jane stories, always affable and upbeat and always there when you need him — and sometimes not just for crowd control. A few times he has doffed a costume or three to perform in productions.

Planters Bank pledged $60,000 toward the new center for arts and education. One cannot thank Michelle Dickerson enough for bringing Planters on board, along with Elizabeth McCoy, Suzanne Langford and Joe Pitts.

Mary Nell Wooten brought many supporters on board for the new center with her “1000 x 1000” fundraising campaign, and now, with her “Pennies for Plays,” area elementary schools have joined in the efforts. Barksdale, Burt, Byrns Darden, East Montgomery, Glenellen, Hazelwood, Montgomery Central, Norman Smith, Sango and Woodlawn Elementary have been filling water jugs with pennies and other loose change to compete for a chance to win a free performance at their school.

Yoga classes move to 8:00am until 9:00am, Monday through Friday. The School of the Arts continues this Saturday with Lisa Conklin-Bishop as voice instructor, and Beehive, featuring Kendall Anne Thompson, closes this Saturday, October 15th, at 8:00pm.

See you at the theatre!