(From the Nashville Scene Dec. 20-26 Review)

...With Daddy Went Home for Christmas, Stephens offers a humorous Christmas story that plays on rural culture -- the setting is East Tennessee -- and for a good bit of the time, her writing is on a par with works by playwrights like Jessie Jones.
.....A holiday-themed diversion of an unexpected sort, Daddy Went Home for Christmas should please audiences seeking a lighthearted chuckle and a respite from typical holiday fare.
                                                                                           
                                                                                                                    -Martin Brady

Opening Friday, December 14th - "DADDY WENT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS"

Joy Tilley Perryman & Adrienne Hite

as Ruby Lee & Ruby Dee in

Groundworks Theatre's Daddy Went Home for Christmas

     Groundworks Theatre presents “Daddy Went Home for Christmas,” a loving parody of all things Southern, wrapped around love, dental issues, sibling rivalry and death, all tied up in a bow for Christmas day.  Written and directed by Myra Stephens, the show features some of Nashville’s favorites: Joy Tilley Perryman, Adrienne Hite, Betty Haynes Davis, Bakari King, Matt Coram, C.F. Railing, Melissa Williams, Adele Akin and Tracy Harp.

     Performances are at the Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Ave., Nashville.  Fridays, Saturdays, Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Dec. 16, 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Ticket Prices: $15 door   $12 reserved   $10 students & seniors  Call 615-939-3529

     This year’s comedy, “Daddy Went Home for Christmas", will offer something not seen before.  In what they hope will be fun for everyone involved, the Groundworks team have cast six “Nashville Notables” in the cameo role of 'Uncle Bud'.  That is, a different notable for each performance.  Fifteen percent of every night’s profits will be donated to a worthy cause named by that night’s special performer.  With so much talent in our city it wasn’t difficult to find brave souls willing to strut their stuff for charity. 

     Metro Councilman, Jason Holleman will be joining the cast on Friday, Dec. 14, followed by Jeffrey Ellis, writer and theatre reviewer with BroadwayWorld.com on Saturday, Dec. 15, and closing out the first weekend on Sunday, Dec. 16 is Bradley George, host of Morning Edition on Nashville Public Radio’s WPLN.  Our second weekend begins with Fr. Rick Britton of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church on Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22 is still being negotiated, and our final show on Sunday, Dec. 23 will be performed by our only mystery guest, a well-known Nashville actor who prefers to remain anonymous.  So pick your favorite Nashville Notable and make your reservations!

Opening March 2: "Unconditional"

Unconditional is an unflinching look at life on the streets -- a mother and daughter and their small community of marginalized citizens, all living under an elevated train bridge on the streets of Chicago. Their love, strength, and support must survive the trials of the world around them, counting on each other to be at their best when the world is at its worst. But will it be enough to keep them from being torn apart? Can the ends ever justify the means? Is doing the right thing for the wrong reason still right?

The production, directed by the playwright, features Lauren Shakespeare, John Silvestro, Adele Akin, and Meigie Mabry.

GroundWorks Theatre presents "Unconditional" at the Darkhorse Theater, March 2-10. Performances Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:30, Sunday afternoon at 2:30.

"Unconditional" is presented in conjunction with Open Table Nashville. Open Table Nashville is a non-profit, interfaith community that disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized and provides education about issues of homelessness. Proceeds from the March 3 performance will go to Open Table, and there is a roundtable discussion after the show.

For tickets, please call the box office at 615-262-5485.