The staged reading of Crocodile scheduled for April 27 has been cancelled.

In lieu of the reading, the UT graduate actors will present The Beginning is Now: Showcase 2008 on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Carousel Theatre.

The culmination of three years of training at UT, The Beginning is Now: Showcase 2008 is a short program of songs and scenes from plays which the actors will present to agents, casting directors, and other industry professionals in New York and Los Angelese in May.

Please come out to see and send off these actors who have graced the Clarence Brown stage in many roles over the last three years, and to give them an opportunity to say thanks to the Clarence Brown Theatre Community.

A reception with light refreshments will follow the event.  Admission is free.  Donations to help offset the costs of the actors’ travels will be accepted with gratitude.

The Clarence Brown Theatre is looking for production staff for Fall 2008.  The following positions are available:

• Stage Manager for The Secret Rapture (Lab show directed by Cal MacLean)
• Production Assistants for The Secret Rapture, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and a Second P.A. for A Christmas Carol.

Please contact Joe Millett (865-387-6802; jmillett@utk.edu) if you are interested.

UT’s All Campus Theatre is presenting its final production of this season, Lobby Hero, and has announced its offerings for next season.

According to director Harrison Young, Lobby Hero “is the drama-comedy of a lonely doorman who, while trying to make friends on the job, ends up getting into situations that are bigger than he knows how to solve.”  See more in Melody Gordon’s UT Daily Beacon article.

ACT’s lineup for for next season includes The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Sylvia, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Fuddy Myeers.  Find more information in Brad Stapleton’s story in the UT Daily Beacon.

Who:  Clarence Brown Theatre
What:  Guys and Dolls
When:  April 10-27, 2008
Time:  7:30 p.m. evening; 2:00 p.m. matinees
Prices: Students Preview Free, $5 other shows
        Faculty/Staff Discounts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Luck Be a Lady Tonight!
The Clarence Brown Theatre closes its season with Guys and Dolls
KNOXVILLE — ­Guys and Dolls will run in the Clarence Brown Theatre from April 10-27.  With more than 100 costumes, at least 2,400 lights and a cast of more than 30, the last production of the CBT 2007-2008 season promises to be lavish, entertaining and full of songs.

Featuring one of the greatest musical scores in the history of the American theatre, Guys and Dolls is a love story about what happens to gambling men and the women who want to tame them.  Songs include: “Luck Be a Lady,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and more!

Director Terry Silver-Alford is a member of the UT Theatre faculty and teaches Musical Theatre Performance, Directing, Introduction to the Theatre and Acting.  Prior to joining the faculty, he was Director of Musical Theatre at The University of Tulsa in Oklahoma and Director of Musical Theatre at The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.  He has worked professionally in theaters across the country, directed or musical directed more than 100 productions, and created scores for four original musicals and a variety of chamber and vocal music pieces.  His musical work recently was heard in The Life of Galileo. Silver-Alford earned his MFA from UT in 1984 and a Master of Music degree from Western Michigan University in 1991.

Musical Director for this production is Katy Wolfe Zahn. The orchestra will
feature: Trumpets –  Scott Pederson, Michael Spirko; Trombone — George Joseph; Saxophone/Clarinet –  Valerie Sanders; Violins — Rachelle Hawkey, Micheal Hawkey; Viola — Erin Archer; Bass — David Slack; Keyboard — Christopher Hamblin; Percussion –  Jay Miller.

Todd DuBail will perform the role of Sky Masterson. Touring credits include:
Joseph’s Dreamcoat (Pharaoh, with Patrick Cassidy), Grease (Danny with Frankie Avalon, Chubbie Checker and Fabian), Leader of the Pack and Jesus Christ Superstar (with Ted Neeley). Regional theater credits include: Hairspray (Corny Collins), The Full Monty (Keno), The Thing About Men (Sebastian), Smokey Joe’s Café, Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy), Romance, Romance (Alfred/Sam), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Cabaret (Cliff), and No, No Nanette (Tom Trainor).  

Jessica Culaciati will perform the role of Miss Adelaide.  This will be Jessica’s final performance as a graduate student at UT.  Adam Heffernan, a third year MFA student will perform the role of Nathan Detroit.  Playing the role of Sarah Brown, Lena Hurt is currently in her third year in the Graduate Acting Program at UT.

Completing the extensive cast are: Steve Fitchpatrick, David Brian Alley, Seth Crow, Rebecca Drone, Ash Edwards, Jeffrey Farrington, Kevin Finch, Zack Fine, Josh Garon, Shinnerrie Jackson, Kristy Levine, Jon Liddiard, Matt Lyscas, Elyse Maurer, James McGuire, Andi Maria Morrow, Warren Paneda, Brittni Pedigo, Lauren Pennline, Julie Stelter, Andy Rogers, Lindsay Torrey, Christopher Tramantana, Jordan Walters, Brady Seymore, Katlyn Whittenburg, Rachel Winfrey, Laura Rannells, and Ashley Shelton.

Designers for the production include: Costume Designer Eric Abele, Lighting Designer, John Horner, Set Designer Nate Sinnott, Sound Designer Mike Ponder and Choreographer Casey Sams.

Preview for Guys and Dolls  is Thursday, April 10, followed by Opening Night Friday, April 11. The show runs through Saturday, April 27. UT faculty/staff, senior citizens, children and students receive discounts. For tickets, call the Clarence Brown Theatre box office at 865-974-5161, Tickets Unlimited at 865-656-4444 or online at www.clarencebrowntheatre.com

Also read Doug Mason’s preview article in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

The  UT Theatre Department production of Stop Kiss is receiving good notices.

Doug Mason in the Knoxville News-Sentinel says that lead actors Rebecca Haden and Maggie Hargett

convinced as a couple that an audience would want to see be together at the final curtain.

He also praises the work of the director:

“Stop Kiss” was directed by Carol Mayo Jenkins, the Clarence Brown Theatre’s gem of a resident actor who here proves herself to be a sure hand offstage, as well.

Mr. Mason also wrote a preview article on Stop Kiss.

UT Student Bridget Hardy also previews the show in The Tennessee Journalist, complete with video interviews with the director and members of the cast!

Early performances of the play have been selling out, so advanced ticket buying is advised. Tickets can be purchased online via Tickets Unlimited (knoxvilletickets.com).