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November 02, 2008
‘Doctor Atomic’ Opera To Be Screened
Opera essentially equates to drama overload.
J. Robert Oppenheimer certainly applies as fodder for an opera.
The renowned nuclear physicist is the subject of “Doctor Atomic,” an opera scheduled to air via satellite from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on Nov. 8 and then again on Nov. 19 at Cinemark’s Tinseltown in Bristol, Va.
“It is a contemporary opera,” said Charlie Siedenburg, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Opera. “It’s sung in English, whereas most operas are sung in a foreign language.”
English or not, “Doctor Atomic” drips with relevancy and nail-biting drama.
Opera Lover Hopes to Introduce Art To Students
ABINGDON, Va. – Step inside the home and life of Bill Campbell.
Incredibly moving music from “The Damnation of Faust” by Hector Berlioz resounds within Campbell’s living room. No television. Instead, thousands of opera tapes, CDs, LPs and 78s dominate his home.
To paraphrase English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, opera, opera everywhere with neither rock nor roll in sight.
Now, the retired schoolteacher and lifelong opera aficionado is on a mission to introduce local students to the wonders of opera. Enter Campbell’s newly minted and multi-tiered Opera in Schools program. It started kind of simply.
October 26, 2008
Sixty Years Of Dance, Dedication And Discipline At Bristol Ballet
Seven-year-old Elizabeth Oakley fidgeted just a little bit.
October 24, 2008
Ghost Hunt Invesigation Reveals Evidence
Chair moves by itself, voices appear from nowhere and more.
October 23, 2008
Short Takes: Get the Scoop on the Famous, Infamous at Star Museum
Hollywood long ago perfected the practice of scaring the stuffing out of us. Just watch 1973’s “The Exorcist.”
Or partake in Abingdon’s Star Museum Stagefright tours. Scheduled for Oct. 23-25 and 28-31, the tours delve into the dark side of Hollywood courtesy artifacts from the collection of spiritualist C. Robert Weisfeld.
October 20, 2008
Forest of Fears: Take a Journey ... If You Dare
Ed and Carol Bowers sing gospel music. Willy Pierce umpires youth baseball. Rick Webb volunteers in the service of children.
Family and friendship tie them together.
And so does Halloween.
October 16, 2008
‘Desperate Hours’ is Good Ol’ Fashioned Drama at Its Best
After a season of blockbusting, exuberant and technically amazing musicals, it’s great to see the Barter Theatre in Abingdon offer us a tried and true drama – a nice, one-piece set upon which superb actors can ply the height of their craft without fear of being upstaged by pyrotechnics or loud music.
Such is “The Desperate Hours.”
October 09, 2008
Sign Language Interpreter Sees Job As A Ministry
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – For M.J. Light, joining the cast of “The Firebird” at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre was a serious challenge.
At 22, the Bluff City woman has been working for five years as a sign language interpreter for East Tennessee State University and other schools. She also serves on a team of interpreters at the Celebration Church of Blountville, Tenn.
Light developed an interest in sign language a few years ago while being home-schooled. She met a deaf woman and studied sign language. She also took courses at ETSU and earned a national interpreter’s certification.
“I felt the calling into it kind of as a ministry as well as a profession,” Light said.
Deaf Actor Hopes More People Learn To Use Sign Language
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – Ashley Reuss can’t hear the director’s calls during productions of “The Firebird.”
She is deaf.
“So, I have to make sure that my lines and my timing [are] exact, so I’m watching all the body language of all the people,” Reuss said through an interpreter. “I don’t want to miss something. So, I have to make sure I remember each line and remember each movement.”
A recent arrival to Johnson City from Washington, D.C., Reuss, 24, plays the role of the “Signing Duke” in the current production of “The Firebird,” now on stage through Oct. 12 at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.
“I think this play is going to be interesting for everyone – people who are deaf, hard of hearing or involved with the deaf community,” Reuss said. “Anyone who is interested in sign language will love it.”
Shared Stage
Theater Staging Two Plays At Once – One For The Hearing And One For The Deaf
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – You cannot clap and get your point across.
The deaf, after all, cannot hear you banging your hands together.
So instead, you must flail your hands above your head – and wiggle them wildly.
And then come the smiles, along with the clapping, at the conclusion of the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s current production of “The Firebird.”
This is kind of like a split screen – or a split stage, you should say – with two plays going on at once: one for the hearing and one for the deaf.
And yet, it’s really only one. It feels like only one in that the actors all mesh together – the ones who can hear and the three who have no hearing.
October 02, 2008
2008 National Storytelling Festival - Oct. 3-5
The 2008 National Storytelling Festival runs Friday through Sunday in Jonesborough, Tennessee. The weekend-long literary festival features spoken word, call and response and fairy tales for all ages.
Theater Review: Walt Disney Would Be Proud of Barter’s Production
The late Walt Disney was a man of vision, spirit and seemingly limitless imagination and was one of my all-time childhood heroes.
Theatre Review: ‘Seven Brides’ is Lively and Fun
With lyrics by the legendary Johnny Mercer and spirited interpretation by Wohlfahrt Haus’ fine cast, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” makes for an enjoyable dinner theater experience.
September 22, 2008
Magical Opening For Barter Theater’s “Beauty And The Beast”
Barter Theater officially opened its production of the Disney classic on stage in Abingdon Sunday afternoon with a cast and crew who came together for yet another of this season’s truly magical performances.
September 18, 2008
Barter’s ‘Batboy’ is Brain-Battering Bedlam
It could be ripped right out of this morning’s headlines: “Cave explorers in West Virginia’s deepest cavern discover, introduce to media, creature that is part human, part vampire bat.”
September 10, 2008
‘Alice:‘ A Single Mother and Waitress Changed Linda Lavin’s Life
Recall Linda Lavin. Broadway star, singer, theater owner. Oh yeah, and she also starred in the lead role of the CBS hit television comedy “Alice.”
Lavin will perform at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. on Sept. 11. That’s tonight.
August 28, 2008
Bulls Gap Archie Campbell Labor Day Celebration
This weekend Bulls Gap, Tennessee, will honor one of their most famous son’s—Comedian Archie Campbell.
August 06, 2008
Niswonger Performing Arts Center announces 2008-09 season
Niswonger Performing Arts Center announces 2008-09 season
August 05, 2008
JCCT takes farce approach with “Macbeth”
Johnson City Community Theatre will present the hilarious farce The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townwomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of “Macbeth.” Performance dates are Aug. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
July 28, 2008
Storytelling Live! with Connie Regan-Blake July 29 – August 2 at 2 p.m
This week the International Storytelling Center features Connie Regan-Blake as resident storyteller during Storytelling Live!
July 27, 2008
A Season Of Shows
Paramount Center’s Upcoming Season To Feature Plays, Concerts, More
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tickets are now on sale for “Linda Lavin – Songs & Confessions of a One-time Waitress.” Tickets are $36 for adults and $32 for seniors and students.
The show, which is set for Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m., will kick off the 2008-2009 season at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. The season will feature a variety of touring productions and performances.
“It’s a light-hearted, musically satisfying group of shows which our special group of supporters, The Producers Guild, has chosen for us,” says Merle Dickert, executive director of the Paramount.
July 24, 2008
Theatre Bristol Takes 43rd Season ‘Into the Woods’
The most famous fairy tale characters from the Grimm stories take over the stage of the ARTspace at Theatre Bristol.
July 15, 2008
Free Farm Fun & a Flick at Hands On! Museum
Friday, August 1st, beginning at 6:00 pm, at Hands On! Museum, celebrate the bounty of the fall harvest by climbing on a farm tractor, mini-excavator and skid steer loader from Chuck Mason Equipment, visiting farm animals, buying some locally grown goods, learning about how wool is made into yarn, and visiting the floral show sponsored by the Shady Oaks Garden Club. Enjoy a special performance by Mr. Bill & Bodie.
July 03, 2008
Theater Review: ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ Makes for a Great Evening
If you’re up Wytheville way and could use a delightful evening of dinner theater, that burg’s Wohlfahrt Haus can satisfy both stomach and soul.
July 02, 2008
July 4th Independence Day Scheduled Events
The Independence Day Celebration runs all week long. The Bristol Herald Courier, News Channel 11 and Tri-Cities.com complied a list of events happening around the Tri-Cities region. Keyword: “July 4th.“ Did you miss your favorite parade? View the 55th Annual Mack Riddle American Legion 4th of July Parade. Thousands of people lined the streets of Kingsport for the annual Mack Riddle American Legion 4th of July Parade. News Channel 11 aired the parade live from 10am until noon. A myriad of marching bands, performances, classic cars took to the streets. If you missed the fun, the entire parade is just a click away here on Tricities.com.
June 27, 2008
Theatre Review: ‘The Cure for Love’ at Barter is Light Fare
Barter Theatre’s “The Cure for Love” gives the summer schedule a nice little break from the blockbuster lineup that includes a truly, truly magnificent production of “Evita.”
June 23, 2008
Hands On! Summer Events
Educational fun for everyone this summer at Hand On! Museum
Summer in The Park Events 6/30 - 7/01
Warriors’ Path State Park Events 6/30 - 7/01
Early Registration nears for Dragon Boat Festival
Preparation for the 2008 Mountain States Dragon Boat Festival is under way and the early registration deadline is approaching for the Sept. 13 race at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City.
Storytelling Live! with Paul Taylor
This Week at the International Storytelling Center: Storytelling Live! with Paul Taylor.
Taylor will be telling stories daily June 24 – June 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $9 for seniors, students, and children under 18.
