WXYZ RADIO - DRAMA ON YOUR DIAL

May 2 - 10 at the Darkhorse Theatre

Written by Jeri A. Kressky
Directed by Barbara Hartman
Thu. Fri.  Sat. performances at 7:30 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. Matinees at 2:30 p.m.

NOW SHOWING THRU AUG. 24th !!!

                                                                                  click to buy--->   

BETTER LATE

A Comedy written by Larry Gelbart

Directed by Melissa Gilbert,
Starring 
Rodney Pickel, Linda Speir, Dave Thoreson & Douglas Goodman

Darkhorse Theatre, 4610 Charlotte Ave., Nashville

Tickets: Online $12   Seniors & Students $8

General Seating Only

------~-----

GROUNDWORKS THEATRE
HOLDS AUDITIONS FOR
"Menopause Maidens"
The Long Awaited Sequel to "Fairy Tale Confidential"
Is a Princess still a Princess with hot flashes & wild mood swings?

August 24th, 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
DARKHORSE THEATRE, 4610 Charlotte Ave., Nashville 37209
Two Men, Age 45 - 65  Five Women, Age 40 - 60

Cold reading from the original script

(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.

Opening December 9: "The Very Different Christmas Dinner"

GroundWorks Theatre is proud to present our latest holiday original production, Robert A. O'Connell's "The Very Different Christmas Dinner." The production will be directed by the playwright, and the cast features Jonathan Stephens, Myra Stephens, Charles Howard, Trish Crist, Brian T. Hill, Kellye Mitchell, Eric Ventress, and Heather Webber.

While preparing to host their annual Christmas dinner party, Rob and Laura Dish pray that their guests could be more interesting than the usual suspects, and are indeed surprised when their regular invitees are replaced by Abe Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Oscar Wilde, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, and Jesus.

GroundWorks Theatre presents "The Very Different Christmas Dinner" from December 9-18 at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Avenue. Performances Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:30pm. $15 adults, $12 students & seniors; cash and check accepted at the door. For reservations or further information, call 262-5485.

Season Announcement!

December brings the premiere production of company co-founder Robert A. O'Connell's "The Very Different Christmas Dinner," directed by the author and running at the Darkhorse Theater December 9-18 2011. Rob and Laura Dish pray that their dinner party guests could be more interesting than their usual friends, and are surprised by the arrival of guests Abe Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Oscar Wilde, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, and Jesus.



"Unconditional" is Nashville playwright Myra Stephens' unflinching look at life on the streets -- a mother and daughter and their community of lost souls, all living under an elevated train bridge on the streets in Chicago. Their love, and the strength and support of their adopted family, 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. "Unconditional" runs at the Darkhorse Theater, March 2-10 2012.

Hey! 2011-2012 Season Info On The Way!

Please do stick around -- we should have information on the GroundWorks 2011-2012 Season up in the next day! Two more world premiere original works, served up at the historic Darkhorse Theater! Stay tuned!

Rachel and Fay discuss "The Fall to Earth"

Opening May 6: "The Fall to Earth"

"Comedy equals tragedy plus time." Mom Fay (Wesley Paine) and daughter Rachel (Megan Murphy Chambers) are brought together for the first time in years to attend to tragic family business, and together with a well-meaning police officer (Heather Webber), must work through their own circumstances as well. "The Fall to Earth" premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. Directed by A. Sean O'Connell.

GroundWorks Theatre presents "The Fall to Earth" from May 6-14 at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Avenue. Performances Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:30pm, Sunday matinee at 2:30pm. For reservations or further information, call 262-5485, or click here for online ticket sales.

"The Very Different Christmas Dinner" - Staged Reading

GroundWorks Theatre will be presenting its latest original, Robert A. O'Connell's "The Very Different Christmas Dinner," as a staged reading. The reading will be at the Darkhorse Theater, Saturday December 18, at 2:30pm. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door for Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

After praying that their dinner guests could be someone more interesting than their usual friends, Robb and Laura Dish open their doors instead to Abe Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Oscar Wilde, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, and Jesus. Performers include: Jonathan Stephens, Myra Stephens, Charles Howard, Trish Crist, Michael Roark, Megan Murphy Chambers, Jack E. Chambers, and Donna Stephens. There will be a talkback after the reading, including cast and author.

Summer Vacation

GroundWorks Theatre will be announcing the 2010-2011 season shortly, as well as audition for our latest World Premiere Christmas Show. Please check back regularly for details.

If you're not on our audition list, please drop us a note at groundworkstheatre@gmail.com, and we'll add you to the list for audition and performance updates.

In the meantime, check out some other shows around town -- see links to the right!

Next Up: "The Conscientious Objector" by Michael Murphy!

In early 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. informed his advisors that he intended to play a major role in the anti-war movement, advocating immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Vietnam. No major figure of Dr. King's stature had yet been willing to take such a dramatic stand, even those thought to oppose the war, such as Senators Kennedy and McGovern. King knew he would be turning past allies like President Johnson into powerful enemies and reviving the animus of old enemies as well. King's inner circle feared he would trigger a political backlash that could undo the progress made in civil rights. The Conscientious Objector draws upon the historical record, including the FBI's relentless surveillance, often illegal, and the White House's infamous secret telephone recordings.

GroundWorks Theatre is proud to present this co-production with the Destiny Theatre Experience. Shawn Whitsell of DTE directs a veteran ensemble cast at the historic Darkhorse Theater. The production runs from April 30 - May 8, with 7:30pm performances every night but Sunday and Monday. There will be a 2:30 matinee on Sunday, May 4. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. All ticket for Tuesday night's show are $10. Tickets and information available at www.groundworkstheatre.com, or call 615.262.5485 for reservations.

Next Up: "Fat Pig" by Neil LaBute!

A biting black comedy about figuring out exactly what we want... and exactly who we are...

"Stunningly real... courageous... revelatory... unsettling and laser-sharp..."

--Jeffrey Ellis, BroadwayWorld.com

BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT

Auditions! Auditions! Auditions!

GroundWorks Theatre Announces Auditions for Neil LaBute's "Fat Pig"!

GroundWorks Theatre will hold open auditions for Neil LaBute's "Fat Pig" at the Darkhorse Theater on Saturday, January 23, from noon - 4pm. Performances will be at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, from March 5-13 2009. Paul Cook will direct.

Cast includes 2 men and 2 women (one plus-sized), ages 25-35. All roles are available. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No appointments necessary; headshots & resumes appreciated but not required.

Character breakdown:

Tom: all-American, charming.

Carter: loud, narcissistic.

Helen: self-confident, smart, fun, plus-sized.

Jeannie: strong, attractive, slim.

Please direct all questions regarding the auditions to Paul Cook at mmmpaul@hotmail.com or 773.485.7285.

Next Up: "Christmas on the Pecos" by Robert A. O'Connell!

Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays 7:30pm - Sundays 2:30pm

$15 Adults - $12 Students/Seniors - $10 Tuesdays

Check out the Tennessean Preview!

Next Up: "Eat The Runt" by Avery Crozier!

"Fully engaging... a riot" -- Nashville Scene

"Consistently superb" -- BroadwayWorld.com

Auditions! Auditions! Auditions!

GroundWorks Theatre will hold auditions for the first two productions of the 2009-2010 season from 11:00-1:00 PM on Sunday, September 6 and from 6:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 8 at the Darkhorse Theatre located at 4610 Charlotte Avenue. "Eat the Runt," a comedy that toys with ideas of perception, political correctness, and societal and cultural norms, requires 8 actors ages 30-50.

"Christmas on the Pecos," a tale of two modern-day cowboys, a couple fleeing to a better life, and a group of travelers lost in a snow storm, requires 8 actors, ages 30-60, including one Latino couple in their 20's. Auditions will be cold reading from the script, headshots and resumes helpful, but not required.

No appointments necessary. All actors and technical crew will be paid by gate share. If further information is required, call Robert O'Connell at 262-1832.

"O Jerusalem" by A. R. Gurney: May 15-30 2009

GroundWorks Theatre proudly announces the Nashville premiere of A. R. Gurney's thought-provoking "O Jerusalem," which opens May 15 2009 at the Darkhorse Theater.

"Assured... intelligent... The focused ensemble confidently hits its marks."

-Martin Brady, Nashville Scene

Set in 2001, the play centers around Hartwell, an oil company executive, appointed to a diplomatic post in the Middle East. Amira is a Christian Palestinian woman with whom he had an affair years before. Sally, a friend of Hartwell's, is a fellow bureacrat attempting to help him navigate the treacherous waters of his new post. Hartwell reunites with his former lover, discovers she has a son in Hamas, and agrees to help put forth a peace proposal of their creation. And, looming over the proceedings, is the rumor of a planned terrorist attack on U.S. soil...

Veteran director Melissa Bedinger Hade leads a seasoned cast of Darkhorse favorites. Jim Wright stars as Hartwell, Caroline Davis (GWT's "Bad Dates") is Sally, and Terry Ochiogrosso is Amira. Pat Rulon and Dan Millard round out the cast as swings, and function as a kind of Greek chorus.

GroundWorks Theatre presents "O Jerusalem" at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Avenue, from May 15-30 2009. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 2:30pm. Call 615-262-5485 for reservations, or purchase tickets online HERE.

Next Up: "O Jerusalem" by A. R. Gurney!