'FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical' to Bring Music, Dance and Comedy to Cookeville Stage

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (June 2016) -- The Broadway-style play "FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical" will hold its world premiere in Middle Tennessee from July 7-17, bringing music, dance and comedy to the 450-seat Cookeville (Tenn.) Performing Arts Center.

            The show, which features a vibrant cast (including two puppies) and a 21-piece orchestra, will benefit the Putnam County Habitat for Humanity's new Cookeville West End Place Housing Initiative, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, TTU Tech Players, and the Mustard Seed Ranch for endangered, at-risk children. "FEARLESS!" stars Valerie Connelly, a Cookeville playwright/composer who spent many years writing what some are calling today's version of "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music".

            The eight-performance show times are 7 p.m. from Thursday-Saturday (July 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16) and 2 p.m. on Sunday (July 10 and 17). Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $16 (adults age 18 and over), $12 (seniors age 62 and over), and $10 (students age 17 and under, and individuals in groups of five or more). Ticket sale proceeds from the play will benefit the four nonprofits. CPAC is located at 10 E. Broad St. in downtown Cookeville. To buy tickets, visit www.cookeville-tn.gov/ls/cpac/cpac-calendar/ or call (931) 528-1313.

 
            "I'm thrilled to stage the world premiere of my musical at the beautiful CPAC theatre in Cookeville," said Connelly, who describes her play as a wholesome family double-love story.

            Advance reviews and feedback have been strong, with one previewer praising Connelly's play for "provoking toe-tapping, laughter, and tears." The story's characters sing and dance across the stage, expressing 2016 challenges, opportunities, joys and the importance of fearlessness in the pursuit of life, love and happiness.

            "FEARLESS!" centers on divorcee Nikki and widower Daniel, 60-somethings who befriend each other later in life. What does a mother/grandmother do when a man falls for her at this age? Connelly uses playful dialog, heartfelt songs, and elaborate dance moves to bring the two friends and/or potential "Boomer" lovebirds to life. Meanwhile, Nikki's daughter and son-in-law have love-related challenges of their own.

            Connelly's parents introduced her to Broadway theatre at an early age. The artist has worked countless hours to perfect her creation after meeting with a number of highly respected New York theatre professionals.

Valerie Connelly performs songs from "FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical" (Photo by Hal Alpiar)

            "Producers loved the music, and they made terrific constructive suggestions for the story," Connelly continued. "I took it back to the drawing board and revamped it considerably. I added some songs, changed some others, added more drama to balance the comedy, and in general increased the strength of the storyline."

            The composer/playwright was surprised when the directors asked her to portray the play's lead character, Nikki, after the actress originally tapped to play the character fell ill. As a "Boomer" herself and a professional performer for many years, she is enjoying a return to the stage.

            "'FEARLESS!' feels like a real love story, even though it's a fictional one," the artist said. "It reaches into the heart and pulls on it -- to give the viewer a reason to feel the full range of human emotion."

            The play features a Middle Tennessee cast with educators and students from Tennessee Tech University. "FEARLESS!" will be directed by TTU theatre professor Mark Creter. Other directors include Middle Tennessee State University professor and veteran conductor Mendy Richards as musical director; Jennifer Dotson-Creter of Stage One Dance Studio as choreographer; TTU theatre design professor Colin Forsyth as set designer; and TTU technical theatre instructor Nick Ryan as light designer. The 21-person orchestra includes professional musicians and TTU students who were brought together by well-known percussionist Don Lordo.

            "We have a strong cast drawn from all walks of life with great talent and a terrific will to give their best performances," added Connelly, who realized her dream after raising more than $15,000 through the support of local individuals, businesses and organizations.

            Connelly is a Cookeville-based songwriter-performer, fine artist, film score composer, and book publisher with nine albums to her credit. She is writing her seventh book, a novel. The Cornell College (Bachelor of Arts) and Northwestern University (Master of Arts) graduate joined ASCAP in 1987 as a songwriter and professional performer and has composed hundreds of songs. She wrote her first musical, "Nothing Is Ours But Time", in 1994, and the one-act musical, "Her Story", presented at Cookeville's ART a la Carte in 2013. She has performed and tested many of the songs from "FEARLESS!" at the "Tunesmithing" songwriters showcase in Nashville. Her book publishing company, Nightengale Media LLC, has published more than 200 books for authors around the world. Also a visual artist and educator, she has created hand-carved block printed images and illustrations for gift items and children's books. 

            To learn more about Valerie Connelly and her play, visit www.fearlessthemusical.com.

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                  Businesses, organizations and individuals have supported the first staging of "FEARLESS!" through sponsorships and donations of cash or in-kind services. Supporters include the following businesses: First National Bank of Tennessee, OUTBACK Steakhouse, Copeland Veterinary Hospital, Tractor Supply, Critter Cottage, Southern Paws Spa, The Outdoor Experience, Market on the Square, WORLD FOODS, Cookeville Bicycles, EXIT Rocky Top Realty, Johnson's Nursery & Garden Center, French's Shoes and Boots, Office Max, Shaffield's Furniture, Williams Wholesale Supply, Magical Music Gallery, LAMAR Advertising, Papa John's, Sam's Club, Fairfield by Marriott, Clarion Inn, Rib City, Kneaded Together Bakery, Del Monaco Winery, Cookeville Budweiser, Liquor World, Bluewaters Equipment Rentals, Cumberland Auto, Wilson Bank & Trust, Skender-Newton Realty, Kroger, Carlen Chevrolet, New York Life/Andrea and Terry Burckhard, Ford Lincoln of Cookeville, The Law Office of Donna Simpson, Hampton Inn & Suites, Party City, Copy Pack and Ship, Poet's, Carmike Cinema, State Farm Insurance/John White, One-Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaning, CPA's Cannon Clark Holman & Associates PLLC, Firehouse Subs, Trademark Printing, WALKER Investment Company Real Estate Development, First Tennessee Bank, Abel Gardens Florist & Gifts, Adecco Employment Recruiters, Belk Department Store, Old Navy, Cookeville Transmission Co., Country Inn & Suites, Crawdaddy's Restaurant, HUB Radio Stations, Stonecom Radio Stations, McCool's Video & Photography, Planet Fitness, TAYS Realty & Auctions, Winell-Lee Mouldings & Hardwoods, Benjamin Moore Paints, Cardinal Computer, Crossroads Music, and Tennessee Technological University.

Insights on PR: Write and Edit with Accuracy and Clarity (to Leave a Lasting Good Impression)

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

(Editor's Note: I will be co-leading the "Reaching Your Dream" artist career-building/publicity workshop and vision sharing with Amy Allen in Nashville on July 26. Please join us! Learn more at www.ReachingYourDream.net.)

            NASHVILLE - In this mad, rushed, fast-changing world, it's essential to make your point quickly and write in clear, easy-to-read fashion. Otherwise, the news media (or readers in general) will likely pass on your story. They don't have time for verbal mishmash (unless you happen to be a big star).

Chuck Whiting leads his PR workshop

            Here are a few writing and editing tips for those of you who understand the importance of "words" on the road to success.

            * Remember that the "words" you write are a reflection of who you are. A well-written press release or biography can open the door for publishing deals, song cuts and concert bookings. A poorly written item can leave a lasting poor impression.

            * "Accuracy" is the chief goal of any writer. Exaggeration (or hype) can hurt your reputation. Base your story on proven facts, and use words with exact meanings.

            * Your story needs to be "clear" from start to finish. Use simple words, write short sentences, and keep paragraphs to three sentences or less. Use strong transitions to weave related or unrelated thoughts into a well-organized story. Otherwise, the reader will lose interest and stop reading.

            * Write press releases and biographies in third person (using "he" or "she"). First person is sometimes used for blogs, editorials and letters. "Modesty" with confidence is important in this business.

            * Get to the point quickly by answering the questions "who", "what" (your hook), "when" and "where" in your first sentence (the "lead paragraph"). Use subsequent paragraphs to answer the questions "why" and "how".

            * Make sentences easier to read by starting with a noun, followed by a descriptive action verb. Starting with an "independent clause" (rather than a "dependent clause") will reduce the number of commas, making for a better flow.

            * Write to meet the needs of your audience. A Tweet cannot exceed 140 characters. A calendar item should range from 100 to 250 words. A press release or story of any length should follow the inverted-pyramid structure (presenting information from most important to least important). Think "brevity", but be sure to answer "all" of the essential questions a reporter might ask.

            * Follow the media writing rules in the Associated Press Stylebook (to meet the needs of print journalists).

            * Demonstrate perfect grammar, punctuation and spelling. Check and double-check everything in your dictionary. Don't depend on a software program like Microsoft Word to catch misspellings. Laziness can result in embarrassment.

            * Add life to your stories and biographies with "direct quotations". They give you the opportunity to express your thoughts creatively in your own words.

            * Use a font that is easy to read such as Times or Times Roman (12 point). Helvetica and Verdana are often used. (Avoid Comic Sans.)

            * Double-space "printed" materials (for easy editing). Double-space between paragraphs for "online" copy (for easy reading).

            * Indent all paragraphs in "printed" materials and "online" whenever possible.

            *  Include contact information such as name, e-mail address, company name and telephone number.

            Remember to write and edit your words wisely. If you follow these tips, you stand a better chance of landing a story (or a lasting good impression).

            Chuck Whiting founded Whiting Publicity and Promotions in 1993 to provide exposure for artists and the organizations that support them. He is a former newspaper reporter, the author/co-writer of the book/song “The Littlest Star”, editor of Music City Arts Update, and host of the songwriters show “Tunesmithing”. He teaches communication courses at Middle Tennessee State University and Motlow State Community College. Join Chuck at the "Reaching Your Dream" artist career-building/publicity seminar and artist vision sharing in Nashville on July 26. To learn more, visit www.ReachingYourDream.net.

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Actors Learn the Auditioning Ropes at Nashville Film Festival

By Chuck Whiting

MCAU Editor

            Some of Nashville's most successful actors provided invaluable insights to fellow actors during a special interactive session ("The Art of Auditioning") during the Nashville Film Festival. Leading the panel were moderator Susannah Devereaux, JesseJames Locorriere, Christopher Close, J.Karen Thomas, Jason Marsden, and Robin Dougherty. Following is an overview of what we learned (in their own words):

* Before the Audition:

            "Don't over-rehearse." -- JesseJames Locorriere

            "If you are preparing for a period piece, they might ask you to use a foreign accent. Conduct research to know what the scene is about. IMDb is an excellent online resource for information and trailers." -- Christopher Close

            "Take it seriously, and be prepared (but find a back story so you can be playful). When I rehearse, I read the script five to 10 times. It's important to understand the relationship between the character you're portraying and the other characters in the story. Know who's going to be there, learn more about them, and understand the style of the movie or show. That helps you build relationships." -- J.Karen Thomas

            "Don't obsess." -- Jason Marsden

            "Your agent's reputation is on the line, so be accountable. Do your research. You don't want to be seen in a bad light. Don't share audition news on Facebook. What if you don't land the part?" -- Robin Dougherty

* When You Audition:

            "Sometimes casting directors have pet peeves. Some hate things like flip-flops and smoking." -- Susannah Devereaux

            "Know why you're being seen for this role. They want to see who you are. You aren't competing. The stakes are higher when you're auditioning live in front of a casting director. Always go 'live' if you can. When you're nervous, you often do better. Taping can make you lazy. Show them your easy-to-work-with side." -- JesseJames Locorriere

            "If they say do it bigger, then go bigger. Otherwise, don't. Be natural. Sometimes the casting director knows if you're right for the part the moment you speak. Don't shake hands when you come into an audition (unless they extend theirs). Use your nerves to make your audition better." -- Christopher Close

            "In the movie 'The Identical', I portray a poor, uneducated black Southerner in 1936. It's important to allow the muse or emotion to flow through you. During rehearsal, I spoke her line with a crack in my voice. The crack came naturally. I used it again during the audition and landed the part. Don't change the words. Stick with the text. But be prepared if you're instructed to ad lib." -- J.Karen Thomas

            "Nashville auditions are warmer than LA, which can be brutal. The only thing you should pay for is gas (and occasionally a meal). Never review your audition." -- Jason Marsden

            "Listen to what they tell you to do. Always follow directions (don't do it your way). Don't go to the audition in character. An agent once had an actor go to an audition with cow udders, and it was a disaster." -- Robin Dougherty

How to Handle Rejection:

            "When I get a part, it means others have been rejected, too." -- JesseJames Locorriere

            "Sometimes you know (if you got the part) right away, but most of the time you don't. Don't stew if you don't land it. It's a one-in-a-hundred kind of thing. Most of the time, you're not going to get it. When I don't, I just tell myself they had poor judgment in not casting me. Don't take it personally. Go canoeing. Then get back to your job. You can't get it right every time." -- Christopher Close

            "I take the Zin point of view: Do your best, and let it go. Remember that you've made an investment. Something even better will come along. Enjoy the process." -- J.Karen Thomas

            "Sometimes you think you did everything right, but you still don't get the part. You have to move on." -- Jason Marsden

On Self-Taping:

            "You will need a 6-foot tripod. You can buy them at Consumer Depot for only $13." -- JesseJames Locorriere

            "If you have to shoot with poor quality (when you're on the road), then do it. Performance is the most important thing." -- Christopher Close

            "Don't worry about outdoor scenes (most of the time). They like an even playing field, so taping in a room is fine. The set is not as important. They are looking at the acting." -- J.Karen Thomas

            "Have a good agent, and be able to self-tape. Don't use an iPhone (if it's unsteady). You will need decent lights and clamps to hold them. You can find painters' lights at low prices at area hardware stores. You will need a good camera with quality sound. Dollar Tree sells smaller tripods. Wax paper can be used to tone down the lights. Shoot 'tits up' (not the whole body)." -- Robin Dougherty

Other Tips:

            "The Internet is huge. It's important to have a great site." -- JesseJames Locorriere

            "I have agents in both Nashville and Atlanta." -- J.Karen Thomas

            "It's a good time to be an actor with an affectation (like a stutter). Embrace it. Be endearing with it." -- Jason Marsden

           

            For more information about the Nashville Film Festival, visit www.NashvilleFilmFestival.org.