BW exclusive: TCT 2010 season

Though Towne Centre Theatre has two performances plus two more shows to go before concluding its third season, BrentWord has the scoop on what's ahead in 2010.
Our very own community theater will open its fourth season with Moon Over Buffalo, followed by I Remember Mama, Gypsy, Once Upon a Mattress, Exit the Body and A Christmas Story.
But until Feb. 5, when the curtain rises on playwright Ken Ludwig's comedy that earned Carol Burnett a Tony Award nomination, local theatergoers have lots of other opportunities to enjoy the restored Frierson Street theater.
Into the Woods, the musical which offers alternative endings to familiar fairy tales, ends its run this weekend, with final performances tonight, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (60+); and $16 for students with ID. You can reserve tickets by calling 221-1174.
After talking with Julie Murphy, the theater's office manager (and frequent TCT cast member!) on Wednesday, I can't wait for the next show, Dearly Beloved, which sounds like Steel Magnolias on steroids. It opens Sept. 25 for a three-week run, but Julie shared that a really fun fundraiser is being planned on Sept. 24 that will not only include the play but a Texas-sized wedding reception as well. Stay tuned for details.
The 2009 season winds down with the Rogers and Hammerstein family classic, The King and I.
Its run is Nov. 20-Dec. 12 and lots of children and youth will be needed for the cast so keep an eye out for audition notices later this fall.
Hmmm, maybe I could be one of the kings many wives?
I'll share 2010 season ticket info as soon as it's all squared away. I know I'll be getting one. This sounds like the best season yet.

TGIF Brentwood!

Wow, what a beautiful day to start out the weekend. In fact, it's so beautiful there won't be much fresh posting today unless I get the weekly crime report. But I do want to share a few links and reminders about fun things to do this weekend.

A toast to the Governors Club
Here's a shout out to The Governors Club golf course, which as recognized by The Tennessean at last night's Toast of Music City Awards as one of the favorites in Middle Tennessee. The Governors Club placed third, just behind Vanderbilt Legends Club (first) and Hermitage Golf Course.
At first I was a little upset that Brentwood didn't have more winners, but then again, we don't really have many (if any) honkey-tonks, art galleries, music venues or dance clubs. But IF we had a Town Center/Mole Festival, we could at least compete in the festival category. No doubt it will someday knock the CMA Music Festival or at least the East Nashville Tomato Festival off the winners' podium..
We do, however, have parks, places to see a play (especially if you count our high schools!), local actors/actresses and local bands.
I foresee a BrentWord Readers' Favorites competition in our future.

Interesting stories in this morning's Williamson A.M. in case you haven't seen it include:

• Update on the Wooded Rapist case: http://tinyurl.com/BWwooded
• 'Pace and place guide Annandale forward': http://tinyurl.com/BWannan

A few recent BrentWord posts that you may have missed, and gentle reminders about some great things to do this weekend and early next:

• If you haven't seen Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince yet, consider waiting until Tuesday. Why? Find out athttp://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/07/popcorn-and-drink-for-1-each-really.html.
• Into the Woods continues at Towne Centre Theatre. I'm hearing good reviews and hope to catch it myself this weekend. www.townecentretheatre.com
• Have some time on your hands? Read up on the new set of finalists for the Williamson County Director of Schools position. http://brentword.blogspot.com/2009/07/strong-contenders-for-wcs-director-post.html

Plus, scroll down to learn more about Channel 4's Demetria Kalodimas; this weekend's Friends of the BW Library book sale (half-price on Saturday!); and Brentwood's new Firefighter of the Year.

Camp lets kids be the stars

Centre Stage Productions

The Summer Stock Performance School

of Towne Centre Theatre

BrentWord news services
BRENTWOOD -- This year, Centre Stage will offer 3 separate week-long intensive Musical Theater Camps at Towne Centre Theatre. Each of these camps will be from 9am-12 pm every morning Monday through Thursday, and on Friday from 1pm-7pm with a pizza dinner break at 5 pm. At 7 pm on Friday, the show begins for friends and family.

We will offer two camps for young performers ages 6-11 and one camp for older performers ages 12-17.

Camp #1: Dancing through the Decades; Young Performers (ages 6-11) - June 8-12, (show on Friday, June 8).
Camp #2: Broadway Lights - featuring music from Chicago, Mamma Mia, West Side Story and more! Teen Performers (ages 12-17), June 22-26 (show on June 26)
Camp #3: Rock n’ Roll Revival; Young Performers (ages 6-11), June 29-July 3 (show on July 3)

The Friday evening performances will be a themed musical revue, and all of the musical numbers, dialogue, and choreography will revolve around this theme. Solos and duets will be available to participants, as well as many group numbers.
All participants in the camp will receive a camp T-shirt (used as a costume in the performance), a free pizza dinner the night of the performance, and a CD with the music from the show. Each camper will also receive four tickets to the show on Friday.

Musical Theater Mini Camp tuition is $200 for the first child in a family, and $170 for each additional child. For more information and to register, visit http://www.townecentretheatre.com/.

About the Instructors:
Kari Cherie Smith: As the Theater Arts Teacher and Forensics Coach at Ravenwood High School for the last seven years, Kari Cherie works with theater students on an everyday basis. She graduated from Lipscomb University with a degree in Theater and English Education and a minor in Vocal Performance. Kari is also a seasoned dancer and choreographer, having trained here in Brentwood at The Dance Machine. A four-year member of the Vanderbilt Spirit of Gold Danceline while in college, Kari Cherie has directed and choreographed for many schools and theaters in the area for over a decade. As performer herself, she is excited to be a part of Towne Centre Theatre’s educational effort to reach out to children in the community.

Becca Messner: For over fifteen years, Becca has taught dance and choreographed in Knoxville, Orlando, Nashville, Franklin, and Kentucky. As a charter member of the performance group Kids Unlimited and the Knoxville Performing Arts Insitute, Becca performed in New York, Toronto, the Bahamas, Walt Disney World, and the White House. Productions she has choreographed include Annie, The Wiz, Oliver, Grease, West Side Story, Music Man and Joseph. She also was the choreographer for the Miss Kentucky USA pageant from 2003-2005. She is a graduate of Lipscomb University and danced on the Vanderbilt University Sprit of Gold Danceline for three years.

Randy Dierkes: A recent graduate of Ravenwood High School, Randy is an experienced performer as a singer, dancer, and an actor. As a Towne Center stage performer himself, Randy also brings experiences in school and church choir as well as an extensive background in Forensics and Speech. With dance training at DC and at Spotlite and with vocal training from Tracy Prentice, Randy is excited to be teaching at Towne Centre for a second year. Randy’s stage credits range from Footloose to West Side Story, and he will be attending Florida State University’s musical theater program in the fall.

Junk, jewels around town Saturday

Happy Friday. We made it. Now, if only the rain will hold off for all the neighborhood yard sales this weekend.

Did you see this listings in today's Tennessean classified section? If you're on the prowl for something, anything, chances are you can find it in Meadowlake, Chestnut Springs, Foxboro, Highland View, or Carondelet subdivisions tomorrow. All are hosting neighborhood-wide sales.
My carport alone is already stuffed with items for the United Methodist Women's Sale being held in conjunction with the Meadowlake one. All proceeds from our sale will go to missions, so come and make a huge donation to the cause and take home a carload of great stuff too.

• Meadowlake and adjoining Iroquois Estates are located directly behind BUMC and Otter Creek Church of Christ, and across Franklin Road from the Brentwood Place (Kroger) shopping center. Official sale hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Foxboro's sale opens at 8 a.m. The neighborhood is located off Concord Road just east of Wilson Pike (on the left if heading east on Concord).
• Highland View, located across from Scales Elementary School off Murray Lane, starts at 2 p.m.
• Chestnut Springs is off Concord Road, five miles east of I-65. Turn right into the neighborhood from Concord.
• The residents in Carondelet must feel sleep deprived, as their sale doesn't start until 9 a.m. The good news is it does run until 3, so you might want to hit one or two of the others before heading here. The neighborhood is located off of Wilson Pike between Church Street and Concord Road.

For all of the sales, participating homes will have signs and balloons. And if you find any Picassos or other treasures, let me know so I can blog about it!

***

Speaking of Carondelet, one of my favorite Brentwood neighborhoods, I haven't heard back from its infamous Fourth of July coordinator Michelle Lasley on my offer to be corporate sponsor of its annual parade.
Don't you agree "BrentWord presents the Carondelet July 4th Extravaganza" has a nice ring to it? Of course, it would only be fitting if they invited me back as grand marshal. My pearls and gloves are ready and waiting.

A night at the Theatre everyone?
Don't have plans this evening? How about a night at the theater?
Towne Centre Theatre opens Sabrina Fair tonight for a three-week run. This modern-day, well, minus 50 years or so, Cinderella tale has been a film and stage favorite for years. Now we can see it right here in Brentwood.
Curtain time for evening performances is 8 p.m., with matinees at 2:30 p.m.
You can find everything you need to know, including information on auditions this weekend for the theater's next show, Into The Woods, at http://www.townecentretheatre.com/.


Coming soon to BrentWord:

• Citizens for Brentwood Green Space make generous donation to the Brentwood Library in memory of Vance Little. And the library's one spot you can buy the late historian's new book. Details to come.
• An interesting meeting is being planned next Thursday, May 21. Architect Walter Kiskaddon has invited city and county officials, business leaders and owners, and an array of other interested and invested folks to an "introductory meeting" at the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber's offices to discuss the city's future, specifically the Town Center area. Check back for details, links and more.
• I've heard through the grapevine that Vittles restaurant, the family-friendly restaurant in Merchant's Walk shopping center, may be planning something special for it's seventh anniversary. Always looking for an excuse to eat, I may have to head over for catfish today to get the scoop. Stay tuned for details!