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Press Release
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tennessee Rep Presents A Christmas Story:
Most Popular Holiday Movie of All-Time to Be Featured in a Theatrical Way
Nashville, TN— Tennessee Repertory Theatre will present the holiday cult classic A Christmas Story adapted by Phillip Grecian and based on the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark. A Christmas Story runs November 21 – December 19 at TPAC’s Johnson Theater.
Humorist Jean Shepherd's memoir of growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his unflappable campaign to get Santa (or anyone else) to give him a legendary official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200 shot range-model air rifle. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Goldblatt's Department Store. The consistent response: "You'll shoot your eye out."
Many of the favorite elements from the motion picture are in the production, including the family's temperamental exploding furnace; the school bully Scut Farkas; the boys' to place a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; the “major award” of a lamp shaped like a woman's leg in a net stocking; the imaginative fantasy scenarios and more. This irresistible piece of Americana is a cult classic and is guaranteed to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.
“When we did It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play during the 2007–2008 season, I was intrigued by the success of a well-loved movie story being told in a theatrical way,” says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland. “It was great fun for us and for the audience; the holidays will always be a time we want to contribute to the fun of the season. I had been thinking about A Christmas Story, knowing it had been adapted into a theatre version. I am of course among those who watch the movie every year. I was born in small-town Indiana and have always felt a connection to it—the snow, the school building, the house.
“After The Santaland Diaries last season—which is dedicated to keeping us from getting TOO sentimental—it seemed appropriate to swing the other way and revisit a warm, funny story we all know and love. I am especially looking forward to bringing the story to the stage and in a way that only the theatre can do. You can watch the movie and have a great time, but you will have a very difference experience of the story if you come see it as told by living actors, sharing the experience with fellow audience members. And we plan to celebrate the movie story—which is an amalgamation of several Jean Shepherd stories—with the audience. Our take on this cult classic will take advantage of the energy in live theatre: the give and take between audience and actors. We are really planning on having a good time revisiting this story, and I think the audience will be delighted to be a part of the party.”
Veteran Nashville actor Samuel Whited takes on the role of Ralphie.
“Without a doubt, A Christmas Story is one of those movies that has colored my everyday life,” says Whited. “Nearly every day my wife or I quote from the film. I am so excited to be playing Ralphie... if a little daunted at the prospect of filling that pink bunny suit.”
In addition to Whited, Tennessee Rep’s production features an ensemble cast including Jeff Boyet, Shane Bridges, Jamie Farmer, Andrew Kanies, Eric D. Pasto-Crosby, and David Wilkerson.
Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, please visit www.tennesseerep.org.
Producing Artistic Director Rene Copeland and actor Samuel Whited are available for live or taped interviews beginning Monday, November 2 (earlier by special arrangement).
Complimentary seats are available for media representatives at selected performances.
Please contact Pat Patrick at pat@tennesseerep.org to inquire about availability.
Press Release
Tuesday, May 26
Tennessee Rep Celebrates 25th Anniversary:
2009–2010 Season Announced
Nashville, TN— One Tony Award-winning musical. One Pulitzer Prize-winning drama. One hilarious, quintessentially Southern comedy featuring two generations of Tennessee Rep actresses. And a holiday cult classic.
These plays comprise Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s 2009–2010 season of live, professional, critically-acclaimed theatre. The season, which kicks off in October, marks the 25th anniversary for Tennessee Rep.
“The 25th season of Tennessee Rep says so much about two things: the quality and diligence of Nashville theatre artists and the value that Nashville puts on live professional theatre,” says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland. “It is remarkable on both counts, and it makes all of us proud to live in the community we serve. I and my team here at Tennessee Rep are looking forward to working on each of the shows this season, because they celebrate our rich history plus they each present artistic challenges and opportunities we relish.”
Tennessee Rep’s 25th Anniversary season features the following:
(Click here for full descriptions, dates, and show commentary from Copeland.)
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling
A Christmas Story by Phillip Grecian based on the motion picture by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark
Proof by David Auburn
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, book by William Hauptman, Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller, based on the classic novel by Mark Twain
Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year.
Tax deductible donations to Tennessee Rep can still be made securely and directly by clicking the donate button above or by mailing a check to Tennessee Repertory Theatre, 161 Rains Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203.