One of my favorite Broadway productions, Hairspray, has rolled onto the main stage at Cumberland County Playhouse, and I am dyeing (get it?) to see it. Matter of fact, I have opening night tickets for the musical which includes such upbeat songs as "Can't Stop the Beat." This spectacular play, which was also turned into a major motion picture featuring Queen Latifah and John Travolta, is very funny and great for families and features none other than the multi-talented Jason Ross wigged and in a house coat.
Hairspray is a period piece set in the 1960s during racial unrest and American Bandstand in none other than Baltimore. It features an overweight teen, her mom, Edna (played by Ross—this female part is always played by a man…Travolta in the movie) and a group of teenagers who love to sing and dance.
When we saw it on Broadway, pretty much the entire audience was on its feet by the end of the show, dancing and singing along with the cast, which featured actress Haley Duff. It is a great story with phenomenal music and a stellar story. It runs until Aug. 30 on the main stage at CCP.
If you want to beat the summer heat, you may want to check out one of the many other shows runing out at CCP for summer 2009. They include Return to the Forbidden Planet, Showtime at First Baptist, The Foreigner and Smoke on the Mountain.
Return to the Forbidden Planet was a smash hit in London for years. A star ship, rock stars and a liftoff are mixed together to deliver a fun musical with songs like "Shake Rattle and Roll" and "Great Balls of Fire." This show opens July 20 and runs through Oct. 31.
Showtime at First Baptist opens later in the summer season on Aug. 13. This production centers around the 100th birthday anniversary of the church at Ivy Gap and a fundraising talent show. You won't believe all the antics that crop up in the pews of this church. Showtime runs until oct. 21.
Currently running are The Foreigner and the cult favorite Smoke on the Mountain, now in its 16th Playhouse year. Playhouse directors say The Foreigner is their most requested show. It features one of the most hilarious trios at CCP—Jason Ross, Carol Irvin and Daniel Black. Foreigner runs until Oct. 4 on the main stage.
Smoke on the Mountain…need I say more? What Cats was to London and Broadway and Shear Madness is to Boston, Smoke is to Crossville. This show has run for 16 playhouse seasons and is sold out pretty much every single time. I have seen it several times, myself. My mother and my aunt have probably seen it 16 times. It is a hilarious, family gospel, well except for that one word. What is it? Well, if you want to know, you will have to go see the play.
If you are interested in any or all of these shows, contact the Playhouse box office at 484-5000 or the Web site at ccp.org for ticket prices and show times.
***
It is time once again for some of the coolest cars in Crossville to cruise in to downtown. The Classic Car Cruise-in is set for Saturday evening on Main St. Once again, there will be lots of classic cars and trucks, entertainment, food and refreshments. Call organizers Linda Hassler at 200-8097 or Anna Norris at 248-5710 for additional information.
***
Summer arrived earlier this week and brought with it some scorching hot weather. Temperatures were hovering near the 90s at press time, with record-breaking temperatures all across the South. If you are heading outdoors this weekend, make sure to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and try to avoid the hottest part of the day!
Lifestyles
AROUND THE TOWN: I'm dyeing to see "Hairspray"
- Lifestyles
-
-
Widows Sons support TAD
The Widows Sons Masonic Riding Association, Dry Bones Chapter, held a benefit motorcycle ride May 19 to benefit the Teens Against Drugs (TAD) Center in Crossville.
-
New Corvette Club shares love for flair, design
If you were reaching maturity during the 1950s through '60s, you were probably either a Chevy guy or a Ford guy. While Chevy guys had reason to admire Ford Thunderbirds and Mustangs, the Chevy sports car enthusiasts have had an ace-in-the hole with the advent of the first production Corvette in 1953 — only six months after it debuted as a GM prototype.
-
Arts festival coming in September
Mark on your calendar the dates of September 14-15 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for the Plateau Arts Festival at the Plateau Creative Arts Center, 451 Lakeview Drive (off Peavine) in Fairfield Glade.
-
PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Award-winning artist shares talent with community
Not everyone has the pleasure of living next door to a “real live artist” – not just a Sunday painter as many of us are, but an award-winning career artist who has had 20 solo exhibitions, been accepted into various juried shows and garnered numerous awards.
-
2012 Tennessee Senior Chess Tournament winners honored
The chess tournament was a great success, with a total of 18 players representing Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. They took home many prizes, plaques and cash playing open section.
-
PLATEAU GARDENING: Photographing plants and blossoms
I keep a monthly photographic plant journal. With a digital camera, photography enthusiasts like myself can take lots of pictures at little cost. Not surprised plants are my favorite photo subjects, are you?
-
Celebrating Tennessee state parks
Come celebrate National Trails Day and the 75th anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, Saturday, June 2.
-
GIVING BACK: Take a look at state of our waste
The county recently submitted its solid waste report to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. In the past year, the county collected and landfilled 52,462 tons of waste. Another 6,067 tons of materials were collected and recycled. A total of 58,829 tons of waste were collected by the county.
-
The River WILD!
The Big South Fork of the Cumberland River winds its way through the 125,000 acres of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area before flowing into the Cumberland River and Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. It’s a free-flowing river, with no dams to control release of the water, but the scenery and the magnificent rock formations make it a favorite of paddling enthusiasts who watch the weather to see if they can get out and explore areas that are hard to reach by foot.
-
Farmer's Market opens for business June 2
The Cumberland County Farmer’s Market will officially open the growing season as it has every year since 1978. This year’s “opening” will be Saturday, June 2, at the traditional location on Livingston Rd., next to the fairgrounds. Selling will begin early (6:30 a.m. or so), although some vendors may set up a few hours later in order to provide the freshest vegetables picked just that morning. There is usually a good selection until well after noon.
- More Lifestyles Headlines
-
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
On Thailand Trip, Suu Kyi Visits Migrants
Raw Video: Pink Diamond Auctioned for $17.4M
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
