CROSSVILLE —
It is based on one of the most popular books of all time, written by a quintessential American author. Its original Broadway production won seven Tony Awards and nine Drama Desk Awards, including Best Original Score for country music legend Roger Miller. Now, the Cumberland County Playhouse is proud to announce it will once again journey down the Mississippi with Big River (sponsored by Tap Publishing Company), Miller’s musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. An all-new musical version of Little House on the Prairie had been tentatively announced for the fall production slot, but contract negotiations proved unsuccessful.
“We’re excited to feature our resident company in another musical adaptation of a literary classic,“ said Producing Director Jim Crabtree, “and we’re especially gratified by the opportunity to introduce a new generation of young people to this classic musical.” Big River, one of the most successful — and often-requested — titles in Playhouse history, will run from Sept. 27 through Nov. 2. Britt Hancock and Leila Nelson will co-direct the production, with music direction by Ron Murphy.
Producer Crabtree went on to say, “We had hoped the revised Little House would be ready for us to premiere this fall, but we’re very excited about our other brand new works.”
Big River will run in rotating repertory with two new shows at Tennessee’s largest professional theater: Backwards in High Heels and Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge.
The biographical Ginger Rogers musical Backwards in High Heels (sponsored by Uplands Village) runs through Nov. 2. Directed and choreographed by Broadway vet and CCP alum Jeremy Benton, Backwards features the music of Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and other composers from the golden era of Hollywood musicals. And the bluegrass musical comedy Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge will have its regional premiere on Aug. 23 in the Adventure Theater. Director John Fionte and Music Director Lauren Marshall will helm Golden Boy, which transplants the Irish classic The Playboy of the Western World from the Emerald Isle to the Scots/Irish heart of the Blue Ridge.
Currently running at the Crossville theater on the Cumberland Plateau is Leila Nelson’s Mainstage production of The Music Man (sponsored by Crossville, Inc.), starring Britt Hancock and Lindy Pendzick, through Sept. 1; the 19th CCP season of Smoke on the Mountain (sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store), featuring Jason Ross, Patty Payne and Daniel Black; and See Rock City (sponsored by VolFirst), a new play about “America’s greatest generation” set in 1940s wartime Kentucky. Tickets and information are also available for selected concerts at Crossville’s Palace Theatre, Southern Symphonic Brass, and other events online at www.ccplayhouse.com or by calling 484-5000. All CCP productions are made possible through sponsor support, with additional support provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Things To Do
Playhouse to present Big River this fall
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Stone concert features new music videos May 29
Singer/songwriter/musician Mike Stone brings his unique blend of pop, soft rock and folk music to the Cumberland County Playhouse Mainstage May 29 in a concert featuring his new music videos.
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'Georgia Songbird' coming to Palace June 7 for First Friday performance
EG Kight, “the Georgia Songbird,” is bringing her Country-Flavored Southern-Fried Blues back to Crossville’s Palace Theatre. Kight’s 2011 First Fridays performance garnered rave reviews from all in attendance with many of those audience members requesting an encore performance. PAART is very happy to grant their wish by presenting EG Kight at the Palace Theatre on Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m. central time.
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Review: '9-5' a delightful addition to CCP season
Are you ready to have a good laugh? Get your tickets to “9-5: The Musical” at the Cumberland County Playhouse. Energy pours from the stage with the rise of the curtain.
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Laugh along with Landry, Venable, Claborn, and Rose
The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade proudly presents a two-hour laugh fest, the “Talk is Cheap Tour” at Stone Memorial High School Auditorium on Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. The “Talk is Cheap Tour” partners four storytelling friends who enjoy working together: Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Jimmy Claborn, and Elizabeth Rose.
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GRITS coming to Palace May 31
Highly acclaimed band GRITS From Dumplin Valley will perform at Historic Palace Theatre on May 31 beginning at 7 p.m. Chris Marion, longtime keyboardist for world famous Little River Band, will join GRITS. Chris sometimes performs with GRITS when not on the road with LRB. A rising young talent from Nashville, Shelby Terrell, will start things off with a solo show.
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Concert to help bring brighter days full of hope to House of Hope
D2 is honored to come back a second year for the House of Hope benefit. If you missed last year’s sold-out show at the Palace Theatre, here’s your chance to see outstanding entertainment for a great cause.
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‘Talk is Cheap’ Tour promises a laugh-fest
The Art Guild at Fairfield Glade proudly presents a two-hour laugh fest, the “Talk is Cheap Tour” at Stone Memorial High School Auditorium on Saturday, June 1, at 7 p.m. The “Talk is Cheap Tour” partners four storytelling friends who enjoy working together: Bill Landry, Sam Venable, Jimmy Claborn and Elizabeth Rose.
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The Miracle Worker is not to be missed at CCP
Violent emotional outbursts expressed in astounding physicality mark the production of The Miracle Worker now running in the Adventure Theater of the Cumberland County Playhouse.
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Dunn to appear on 'Tough Grit' TV show
Do you have a curious dog that likes to roam? Ever thought of installing an electric fence or pet door? Look no further than your local Tractor Supply store manager for seasoned pet advice.
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Enjoy a Night at the P'opera May 3
PAART (Performing Arts Alliance of Rural Tennessee) is bringing “A Night at the P’opera” to the Palace Theatre for their First Friday event on May 3. International recording artists Armand & Angelina will entertain you with a rewarding evening of music, laughter and joy. This talented duo brings with them a unique blend of popular and classical music which they call “P’opera.”
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