'FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical' to Premiere in Middle Tennessee July 7-17

            COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (May 2016) -- The Broadway-style play "FEARLESS! The Golden Love Musical" will hold its world premiere on July 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the 450-seat Cookeville Performing Arts Center, 10 E. Broad St. in Cookeville, Tennessee. 

            Show times for "FEARLESS!" are 7 p.m. from Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. 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 Putnam Country Habitat for Humanity's new Cookeville West End Place Housing Initiative, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and the Mustard Seed Ranch for endangered, at-risk children. 

            "I'm thrilled to stage the world premiere of my musical at the beautiful CPAC theatre in Cookeville," said Cookeville playwright/composer Valerie Connelly, who spent many years writing what some are calling today's version of "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music". 

            "FEARLESS!', which features a vibrant cast (including two puppies) and a 24-piece orchestra, is a wholesome family double-love story that previewers agree "provokes 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.

            Connelly is a Cookeville-based songwriter-performer, fine artist, film score composer, and book publisher in Cookeville. She joined ASCAP in 1987 as a songwriter and professional performer and has composed hundreds of songs. Tickets to "FEARLESS! may be purchased online at http://www.cookeville-tn.gov/ls/cpac/cpac-calendar/. To learn more about Valerie Connelly and her play, visit http://www.fearlessthemusical.com. 

'The Ryman Diaires' Continues at Bibb Center Through May 7

          NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 2015) – Award-winning actor/playwright/director Tom Dolan and author/musician/educator Debbie Mathis Watts will portray Music City legends Captain Tom Ryman and Bettie Baugh Ryman in the multi-media musical stage play "The Ryman Diaries" through May 7 at the Bibb-White Bluff Civic Center.

          The shows will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. No shows will be offered Sunday-Wednesday. Admission is $12. The Bibb Center is located at 10545 Old Charlotte Road in White Bluff, Tenn., near Dickson. 

          Described as a 19th Century love story, "The Ryman Diaries" is a historical drama that depicts the life and times of Cumberland riverboat Captain Tom Ryman as told through the eyes of his wife, Bettie Baugh Ryman. The story covers 70 years of the couple's lives through film media, stage acting, and original musical numbers. It tells of their unlikely romance, marriage, entrepreneurship, raising seven children on a riverboat, ultimate success, Christian conversion at a tent meeting, and the building of the Union Gospel Tabernacle. 

Debbie Watts and Tom Dolan portray Captain Tom Ryman and his wife Bettie.

          The play is based on Watts' book, with additional dialog from Dolan. The actors penned seven original songs for the production. Film clips feature flashbacks of young Bettie and historical stills provided by the Metro Archives. 

          "Both Bettie and Tom had the hearts of musicians, so it was totally fitting that they would play and sing," said Watts, a former producer for various shows on TNN: The Nashville Network. "They were true romantics who laid the musical foundation for Middle Tennessee." 

          A veteran educator, professional pianist-vocalist, and author, Watts' theatrical roles include Mollie in "Mousetrap" and Agnes in "I Do, I Do". Dolan has received national acclaim starring as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey", Dr. Albert Schweitzer in "Memoirs from Africa", and Sam Clemens in "Mark Twain Live". The actors also star in a new play in San Diego based on the lives of John and Lillie Spreckels.  

          To buy tickets for "The Ryman Diaries", call (615) 797-1154 or send an e-mail inquiry to Wattsd2@att.net. To learn more about the play, visit http://wattsd2.wix.com/rymandiaries.
 

'The Ryman Diaries' to Return to Downtown Nashville Public Library on July 30 and 31

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 2015)  – Award-winning actor/playwright/director Tom Dolan and author/musician/educator Debbie Mathis Watts will portray Music City legends Captain Tom Ryman and Bettie Baugh Ryman in the multi-media musical stage play "The Ryman Diaries" on July 30 and 31 (Thursday and Friday) at the downtown Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St.  

            The matinee shows, which are being staged during the busy summer tourism season, will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the library's first-floor theater. Admission is $15 for adults, and $12 for senior citizens, students and children.  

Tom Dolan and Debbie Mathis Watts as Captain Tom Ryman and Bettie Baugh Ryman

            Described as a 19th Century love story, "The Ryman Diaries" is a historical drama that depicts the life and times of Cumberland riverboat Captain Tom Ryman as told through the eyes of his wife, Bettie Baugh Ryman. The story covers 70 years of the couple's lives through film media, stage acting, and original musical numbers. It tells of their unlikely romance, marriage, entrepreneurship, raising seven children on a riverboat, ultimate success, Christian conversion at a tent meeting, and the building of the Union Gospel Tabernacle.  

            The play is based on Watts' book, with additional dialog from Dolan. The actors penned seven original songs for the production. Film clips feature flashbacks of young Bettie and historical stills provided by the Metro Archives.  

            "Both Bettie and Tom had the hearts of musicians, so it was totally fitting that they would play and sing," said Watts, a former producer for various shows on TNN: The Nashville Network. "They were true romantics who laid the musical foundation for Middle Tennessee." A veteran educator, professional pianist-vocalist, and author, Watts' theatrical roles include Mollie in "Mousetrap" and Agnes in "I Do, I Do". Dolan has received national acclaim starring as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey", Dr. Albert Schweitzer in "Memoirs from Africa", and Sam Clemens in "Mark Twain Live". This fall, the actors will star in a new play in San Diego based on the lives of John and Lillie Spreckels.  

            To buy tickets for "The Ryman Diaries", call (615) 740-5600 or send an e-mail inquiry to Wattsd2@att.net. To learn more about the play, visit http://wattsd2.wix.com/rymandiaries.

Musical Stage Play 'The Council of Creatures' to Hit Lakewood Theatre Stage May 22-24

            NASHVILLE -- The environmental musical stage play “The Council of Creatures”, written by Nashville playwrights and performers Tammy and Jamey Whiting, will hit the Lakewood Theatre stage in Old Hickory, Tenn., with three shows from May 22-24.

            “The Council of Creatures” delivers an environmental message for our time from the viewpoint of Earth's creatures. The musical features the iconic Francis of Assisi and his sidekick Clare, along with a host of animals who are given the opportunity to tell humans how they feel about what is happening to the Earth and to their habitats. Described as entertaining and poignant, the musical will be performed as a two-person show by the Whitings.

            "Our handmade masks, original songs and animal antics will delight kids and adults alike, which makes 'The Council of Creatures' good family entertainment," said Tamara Whiting. "Come to the Council and find out what the creatures have to say."

            Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday (May 22, 23 and 24). Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children. Family passes are available for $25. Seats may be reserved in advance by calling (615) 847-0934. Tickets also may be purchased at the door before each show on a first-come, first-served basis. Lakewood Theatre is located at 2211 Old Hickory Blvd. in Old Hickory.