Sue Simmons News

Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening around us that it's difficult to keep track of it all. Thus, we are happy to present a new feature: The Nashville Theater Calendar, which is a comprehensive listing of theatrical openings,that will be updated each week, for the 2015/16 season.

Bawdy, irreverent, perhaps even unhinged: What better way to describe Midwinter's First Night? Held Sunday night at Backstage at the Barn, the intimate cabaret theater at Nashville's iconic Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, the slightly offbeat, decidedly more casual younger sibling of The First Night Honors focused on the fun, while honoring some of Middle Tennessee's best and brightest with First Night Awards.

Below check out THE 'LATE SHOW' TOP TEN - "Signs Your First Day as a News Anchor Didn't Go Well" as presented on the Monday, April 22 broadcast of the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, seen weeknights (11:35 PM12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Fox News reports that former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, known for his trademark question, 'How'm I doing?, died early this morning, Friday, February 1st. His 1984 memoir, 'Mayor,' was a best seller that was turned into the off-Broadway musical by the same name.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel will usher in the holiday season with Steve Tyrell at the Café Carlyle. His new show and tribute to Sammy Cahn, Christmas at the Carlyle: The Songs of Sammy Cahn, features songs from the famed songwriter whose music continues to inspire generations today. Songs from the engagement will be included in the forthcoming Concord release, 'It's Magic, the Songs of Sammy Cahn' due out spring 2013. Mr. Tyrell opened at the Café Carlyle last night, November 27th and play through December 31st. Cehck out photos from the concert below!

Now onstage at Dickson's Renaissance Center, in a professional production at The Gaslight Dinner Theatre helmed by Pacer Harp, and featuring a cast of winning performers, 9 to 5: The Musical has Dolly's unmistakably sunny outlook-exemplified by her tuneful score for the show-and Patricia Resnick's sharply drawn characters and situations which are sure to please even the film's most ardent admirers.

Dolly Parton's "in the house," in spirit and in song, at Dickson's Renaissance Center with the debut of 9 to 5: The Musical at The Gaslight Dinner Theatre, running through October 13. The show, based on the hit 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, features a score by seven-time Grammy Award-winner Parton that includes the blockbuster title song plus 18 original numbers that mix Broadway with pop and Parton's signature witty lyrics.

An eclectic mix of politicians, television and movie stars, musicians, comedians and newsmakers makeup the guest list for the premiere week of Current TV's JOY BEHAR: SAY ANYTHING! which launches tonight, September 4th at 6pm ET and will be executive produced by two time Emmy(R) winner Robin Hommel.

An eclectic mix of politicians, television and movie stars, musicians, comedians and newsmakers makeup the guest list for the premiere week of Current TV's JOY BEHAR: SAY ANYTHING! which launches on Tuesday, September 4th at 6pm ET and will be executive produced by two time Emmy(R) winner Robin Hommel.

The NY Post reports that former WNBC anchorwoman Sue Simmons will make her acting debut on the two-part season premiere of the network's LAW & ORDER:SVU drama series.

Welcome to the fifth installment of Music City Confidential, my column to collect the flotsam and jetsam, informationally speaking, of theatre in Tennessee. Sorry for the long delay since the last installment, but I've been theatering my butt off all over the Volunteer State in search of intriguing gossip and riveting news stories just for you, my gentle readers.

SAVE THE DATE: The 2012 First Night Honorees, Most Promising Actors and the First Night Star Award winners will be revealed on Monday, July 23, at the First Night Preview Party...details to follow.

Summer's here, and it's hotter than blue blazes in Tennessee, as theater companies from one end of the state to the other are hard at work to keep audiences engaged and entertained throughout what promises to be one long hot summer. But think of it this way, with yesterday's Summer Solstice-which means we've survived the year's longest day-everything will get just a little bit shorter, promising a respite from the heat and humidity. This week also marked the celebration of National Martini Day, so may we humbly suggest that you grab a shaker, add some ice, vodka and a whisper of vermouth and shake yourself up an ice-cold drink…

Now, we're the last to try to stir up trouble or to further flame the fires of jealousy or envy, but we thought we'd share with you some photographs of some of those lovely ladies who could delight their audiences just by standing there-but whom inspire and encourage us all with their superb onstage talents. So, here's our recommendation, take a look at these photographs, then find out on which stages you can find these women this summer, then make a reservation and go to the theater…

This weekend will be a homecoming of sorts for award-winning writer Laura Harrington, as she returns to the Nashville for the first time since 1996, in support of her new book Alice Bliss and a reunion with some of the city's best-known and best-loved theater artists who worked with her on the creation and production of The Perfect 36, an original musical staged by Mac Pirkle and Tennessee Repertory Theatre to celebrate the Volunteer State's Bicentennial.

With a cast led by Broadway veterans Jessica Grove (who ideally captures the spirit and charm of Maria in her thoroughly captivating performance) and Ben Davis (tall and commanding as the naval captain torn by conflicting loyalties and social upheaval), Logan presents The Sound of Music you would expect from him, although in no way can you call it predictable or expected. To the contrary, Logan excels at delivering the unexpected and while The Sound of Music is probably the one show you would expect to be played out in the traditional, often-seen manner you've encountered in numerous other productions, he manages to surprise and delight you with his vision, his concept and his daring.

Broadway veterans Jessica Grove and Ben Davis will star as Maria Rainer and Captain Georg Von Trapp in Studio Tenn Theatre Company's upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, playing at the historic Franklin Theatre tonight, May 31 through June 17.

Broadway veteran Jessica Grove will star as Maria Rainer in Studio Tenn Theatre Company's upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, playing at the historic Franklin Theatre May 31-June 17.