The cast of Roger and Hammerstien’s Musical OKLAHOMA, being performed at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, doesn’t get stuck on the lyrics of the overture of OKLAHOMA or any of the other memorable songs in the play. The Renaissance Player’s vocals are robust with every bit of energy one would expect from such an unforgettable play.

The story is packed with fun and romance, with lots of humor and of course singing and dancing. From the first notes of “Oh, what a beautiful Mornin” to the last refrains of “Oklahoma” sung by the entire ensemble, this play delivers an enjoyable evening of excitement and entertainment. This rendition of Oklahoma includes a collaboration with Nashville In Motion, a professional contemporary dance troupe, for a unique dream sequence ballet.

The story takes place before Oklahoma became a state but the tale is timeless: two guys after the same gal. Two plot lines, romance and comedy, make for a lively musical. Curly, the cowboy ( played handsomely by Dale McCoy) is smitten with Laurey , the farm girl (beautifully done by Jenny Norris-Light), but the hired –hand, Jud Fry (powerfully portrayed by James Reyome), has his heart set on making her his girl. In the mean time, fickle Ado Annie- a girl who can’t say no (delightfully delivered by Faith Kelm) can’t decide between her two suitors- Cowboy Will Parker (charmingly played by Luke Phillips) and the peddler Ali Hakim ( played with great comedic delivery by Jesse Davidson) who really doesn’t want to be caught. It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry when Curly describes what love Jud would receive at his funeral and sings “Poor Jud is Daid” while Jud is still alive and standing beside him.

With a cast of 50 performers, there is a lot to be said for what is delivered on stage. Most of the actors and actresses have been on stage at the Renaissance Center before but a few were newcomers for this play. Luke Philips, in particular, has fallen in love with what this Dickson theater has to offer and has high hopes of returning to act in future productions. The returning lead actors find the family atmosphere at the Renaissance Center to be quite conducive to good chemistry which produces great performances.

While the cast has its back stage fun to keep their acting fresh they admit that it is a group effort to make the performances so professional and sharp. From the Director, Pacer Harp, to the stage manager, Jon Kopischke and the highly praised talents of Clint Pilkinton, the lighting designer and technical director, and everyone back stage- the actors feel at peace knowing that on stage as well as off, they are all “family, working to make it all work”.

Live theater is exciting and special in that everything comes together to create a different presentation each night. Don’t think that your attendance is passive, the audience is the extra element that feeds the actors and makes a world of difference in the energy onstage. A gentleman to my right found the role of the peddler to be quite funny. Jesse Davidson, the comic relief, said that the laughter may come at different times during performances and that effects how he moves into his next lines which enriches the play.

The actors I spoke with confess that they are adults on stage using their imaginations while playing pretend and that they are making a living out of not growing up. It was mentioned that the Renaissance Center is a great place for kids and adults to learn, not only how to act but also about themselves.

Make a plan to see Oklahoma, an exceptional play, for your own enjoyment and to support the Arts in Dickson TN.

Show Times:

Friday & Saturday at 7pm, Saturday afternoon at 2pm, and Sunday afternoon at 2pm

Dinner is offered Friday & Saturday nights at 6pm with the show to follow at 7pm. Tickets are $35 which includes dinner, dessert, drink and the show. Gratuity is not included.

Lunch is offered Saturday afternoons at 1pm with the show to follow at 2pm. Tickets are $25 which includes lunch, dessert, drink and the show. Gratuity is not included.

Show only tickets are also available for all shows; $15 adults, $12 seniors, $8 children.

Oklahoma! is sponsored by RAI of Dickson, Woof! Pet Salon, Caris Healthcare, Horizon Medical Center and Mappes Orthodontics.

The Renaissance Center is an arts and technology education and performing arts center just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172. For more information, call (615)740-5600 or 1(888)700-2300. The Renaissance Center, 855 Highway 46 South, Dickson, TN 37055

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Susan’s mom, Doris walker ( played beautifully by Claudia’s mom, Jennifer Bennett), is plagued by the hassles of life common to every man or woman; trying to make a living and get the job done. In her harried and tainted life, Doris has no time or inclination to indulge in the fantasy that Santa Claus could be anything more than a nice man in a red suit. As the story unfolds not only is the very existence of Santa Claus on trial, so too is  childhood magic and wonder.

The curtain opens and there he sits, Kris Kringle himself. Kringle, Mike Lyttle, is as jovial and charming as you would expect– both in character and out. It was quite enjoyable interviewing Santa as well as watching him make the whimsy that is Santa come alive on stage. Full-bearded Lyttle makes it easy to feel drawn into the very belief that Kringle is who he says he is. Declaring that playing Santa is his favorite role, Lyttle enjoys working with all the children. He is amused that in the month of December children look at him a little harder and a little longer and seem to improve their behavior .

The Renaissance Players,under the talented direction of Nathan Brown, bring joy to this Christmas season in this lighthearted play adapted from the novel Miracle On 34th Street by Valentine Davis. Nathan’s favorite part of each production is the sense of community, “strangers become friends and friends become family”. Forty percent of this cast is new to the stage for this play. Working with veterans of the stage to newbeeies that have no training let alone experience – Nathan instructed on the basics –stage direction, body placement, projection– and counted on his long time actors to help lead and support those who needed extra direction in the 5 weeks he had to pull this group together. The actors and stage personnel in community theater are volunteers who often hold down full time jobs and children who attend school full time. And yet they learn their lines ( little Claudia was the first “off Book” which means she knew her lines), show up for practice and enjoy the process.

Fred Gailey-or Uncle Fred- is played by newcomer Jeremy Hudgens, but you wouldn’t know he was one of the new kids on the block just by watching his performance. As a matter of fact he learned about the production the day before the auditions from his wife who wanted moral support so SHE could audition for the play. Obligingly, Jeremy accompanied his wife and joined her on stage to support her through her first stage audition. One reading from him led to another and he got a starring role. He is a natural and easily endearing. His reply when asked if he would do it again- “absolutely!”

Many people associated with the play are related – if parents or siblings have to hang around for practice, they might as well have a part in the play or be a part of the production! A popular play, 96 people auditioned for Miracle on 34th Street, Brown incorporated more roles to accommodate as many actors as possible. Jennifer Bennett and Claudia presented strong and enjoyable performances on stage as mother and daughter. Reportedly Claudia showed a strong singing voice from the early age of 2, belting out Somewhere Over the Rainbow to the astonishment of her parents. Claudia’s first role was playing a mouse in Cinderella and has enjoyed performing since then!

Tom Whiting, who plays Mr. Sawyer, met his wife Trudy who plays Dr. Pierce, while performing with community theater . There is a general consensus that community theater is a great way to bring people together who may not have otherwise met.

From charming children to snappy seniors, the stage was resplendent with talented actors and vocalists.  Entertained by humorous mail carriers and moved by  a little Dutch girl’s song, each performer brought great enthusiasm to make the Miracle on 34th Street a delight for this patron. For 2 hours I forgot all about the bills that need to be paid and the gifts that need to be purchased and just enjoyed the innocence of the possibilities and joy that believing in Santa brings.

Do yourselves a favor, gather your children and friends and support our local community theater by attending this most enjoyable play. You may just walk away believing…………..

For times, dates and ticket information: www.rcenter.org

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The Humane Society of Dickson County, issued this statement “Effective immediately, HSDC is forced to cease accepting animals at this time” on their web page www.humanesocietyofdickson.org and in local papers. However, due to overpopulation, they have had to decrease the number of animals that have recently been brought into the shelter as well. In June they received 398 animals ~ with 104 still left from May~ and were able to adopted out 83 and return 2 dogs to their owners but, unfortunately, 208 animals had to be euthanized. The employees of the animal shelter do not want the animals to be euthanized and would like to be a NO KILL shelter. They have done well to handle the 1777 animals that had been brought to the shelter as of June.

Many other attempts at cutting costs at the HSDC have been put into practice including cutting staff hours and 1 staff position. They will begin to accept animals again when funding increases and they are up to full staff.

Because of staffing and funds, according to Arles Barker, the animals brought to the shelter will be held for a shorter period of time- 3 or 4 days- and in some cases that is hardly time for people to reconnect with their pet if a good Samaritan finds it and brings it to the HSDC.

The Human Society is funded by private donations as well as yearly memberships, check out their web site to become a member, make a donation or adopt a pet today! Did you know when you adopt a dog or cat they are already “fixed”, de-wormed and had their vaccines?

“Fostering” is another way to help with displaced dogs and cats. When qualified, you foster a pet in your home until a “forever” home is found for it; Pet Smart works with the Humane Society by fostering cats. Because the spay and neuter laws are so strict in states like Mass. they experience a SHORTAGE of dogs, therefore, we are able to send some of our dogs up north to be fostered at places like Great Dogs, and Hope ( a foster care home).

The Humane Society will be hosting an Art Auction at the Renaissance Center on September 19th 2009. The reception will start at 6:00p.m. with the auction following at 7:00. Come and share in a night of exquisite art — a great cause for the paws.

www.humanesocietyofdickson.org or call 446-7387 ext 12

You may have heard the rumors that we MIGHT be getting a Y in Dickson. Well, this time the rumors are correct! The Young Men’s Christian Association may have been founded in London England, but it’s 2,686 YMCAs in the USA will grow to 2,687 by adding one more facility in Dickson TN.

People have talked about wanting a YMCA in Dickson for years, and some have even made attempts to make it happen, but Eric Thornton and Jody Barrett contacted the YMCA association and got the ball rolling. Matt Tidwell, one of the 11 members of the steering committee promoting the Y in Dickson shared that the YMCA Association started the process of investigating Dickson as a viable place to build a Y by doing a phone survey. According to Mr. Tidwell, the response was ” outrageous, better than any phone survey done in Middle TN”.

Three places are under consideration as possible building sites; Hwy 46 across from the Renaissance Center, Buckner Park and near Horizon Medical Center.

The proposed 40,000 sq. ft. YMCA is projected to include an indoor water-park and lap pool, as well as an outdoor pool. Some areas of consideration for the indoor facility are a Teen Center as well as a Senior Citizen Center.

Some area gyms have voiced apprehension as the Y may affect their membership, however, the Y charges membership fees on a sliding scale which will appeal to those who can not afford a gym membership.

The YMCA is so much MORE for the community than a place to work-out. The Y is about sports and camps and group activities. It is about classes and outreach and playtime for kids. Along with the enjoyment provided by a YMCA, we will also benefit from over 200 new jobs as well as 1M dollars of revenue .

But before you get your swimmies on, please note that this is all still in the planning stages. Currently, money is being raised from donations and businesses for the 10M dollar facility, it will not be paid for by tax dollars or city/county funding. As we progress further into the process there will be fundraisers with the help and direction of the YMCA’s fund raising team.

Did you know that in the 1890s, boys ” could not use the pool until after they had passed a proficiency test in gymnastics……swimming was taught by using a rope and pulley system.”? Or that “it was at the International YMCA Training School that in December 1891, James Naismith invented the game of basketball”!! “Volleyball was invented at the Holyoke (Mass.) YMCA in 1895, by William Morgan, an instructor at the Y who felt that basketball was too strenuous for businessmen”. And that “Racquetball was invented in 1950 at the Greenwich (Conn.) YMCA by Joe Sobek”! *

So many GREAT things have happened at YMCAs ! We look forward to seeing GREAT things happen in the future YMCA of Dickson TN!

Find out more on FaceBook Bring the YMCA to Dickson, Tennessee
*http://www.ymca.net/about_the_ymca/

After bumping through the field parking, I smelled the fresh hay and heard the music from one of the two performance stages. Directed to the gravel path that wound through field and forest , my eyes feasted on the celebration of visual and performing arts. From fire pit art to ballroom dancing, along with various forms of paintings, pottery and sculpting, as well as music and theater, the quality of art was amazing. Colorful stained glass work danced in the sunlight. Sculptures were designed from metals, wood, glass, textiles and clay as well as household items such as paintbrushes and coffee pots. Photos and paintings beckoned for passersby to stop and look again, jewelry was not only functional but artistic All of the art was unique. And the event is FREE!

Meanwhile, children were dancing in the field in front of the WSM stage where Farmer Jason was performing, lending to the true air of an outdoor festival. Demo areas staged instruction and hands-on activities for those of us who have to feel art and participate in its creation.

The gravel path directed me from one artist to the next, many of whom were ready and willing to tell me about their experience at this festival. Most told me that they NEVER enter first time events, but made an exception for this one because of the integrity of its presentation from the start as well as the reputation of the Renaissance Center. Each exhibitor that I spoke with gushed with appreciation about the hospitality from the festival staff ( dinner, happy hour, service with a smile). Great PR for Southern hospitality at its best!

It was exciting to see the familiar faces of local artists like Jeremy Tummins (photography), Kristin Burton-Work (painting) and Rose Littrell( sculpture) from Dickson, Eric Lankford ( sculpture) and David & Susan Allsbrooks (glass) from Burns, as well as Frank Baggett ( painting) from Waverly. Several artists came in from Centerville and Nashville, and I was very energized to speak with artists who came long distances from MO, TX, WI, IL, VA, NC as well as surrounding states to see if Dickson could host a successful festival. It is one thing when an artist enters a festival and can go home to eat and sleep at night, but it is another when the artist has to invest travel, food and hotel expenses to gamble on a new venue.

Did you know that the Firefly (aka lightening bug) is our official state bug? Jeremy Spencer, director of this “cosmopolitan celebration of the… arts” event, said the idea for the title grew out of discussions for a summer art event with the Renaissance Center and the Community Arts Development Board. Experiencing the festival , one would be hard pressed to guess that it was a first time event. Although tents were being moved to shadier sites due to the heat, the atmosphere was not frantic but peaceful and inviting.

Many thanks to Holly and Jeremy Spencer ( of House Blend), the Community of Arts Development and the Renaissance Center for trusting and believing in Dickson enough to carry off such an event . My hope is that it is indeed the FIRST annual Firefly Fine Arts Festival, with many more years to follow! What a blessing to those of us who get to indulge our senses and to those merchants in Dickson who benefit from the patrons who will come from far and wide to experience this event!

NOTE: parking is on East Grab Creek just past the Renaissance Center.

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Leslie Briscuss & Tim McDonald’s adaptation of the classic story is a fast paced, fun, colorful play full of lively music ~ and~ it is all about candy. That makes it kid-friendly summer fun to me! The updates include “1-800″ and “dot com” references as well as computer games and cell phones, but you won’t be disappointed with the classic Candy Man song.

The 25 Oompa Loompas fill the stage and are delightful in their costumes designed by Maclain Proctor, one of the Oompa Loompas. The simple design is brought to life in its color variations and vibrancy. You can’t miss an Oompa or a Loompa on stage!

Directed by Amy Scott, the 40 members of the Wonka cast entertain with their musical and acting talents as they present an escape from our everyday trials and troubles. You can’t help but smile as Willy Wonka and the 5 golden ticket winners lead you through the candy factory maze in a test of character with honesty winning in the end. There is much laughter along the way including such times as the Burping Song, as well as when the “bad” kids get what they seemingly deserve and cheering when Charlie Thinks Positive until the end.

Described as “professionally produced community theater”, the all volunteer cast is assisted by even more volunteers; it takes extra help to coral the children between their scenes while getting them on stage at the proper time. While many of the cast members in Renaissance productions are related, making this theater truly family friendly, some of the moms and dads lend their hands with costuming, kid wrangling or whatever Ms. Scott and the cast may need to produce the show.

“As long as people keep coming, we must be doing something right” Amy Scott declared as she enthusiastically told me about the dedication of the cast. Christian Redden missed Boy Scout camp in order to rehearse for the play. It is apparent that the children on stage WANT to be there and are enjoying what they are doing. Likewise, the theater is filling up with children as well as adults anticipating another great play because of the reputation the Renaissance Players have built.

Ms. Scotts is passionate about her cast and crew, which prompted me to ask how she finds her talent. Amazingly, they come from open auditions at the Renaissance Center which brings people in from not only Dickson, but Nashville and surrounding areas as well. I asked Ms Scott if she has had to deal with difficult “stage parents”, and because the auditions and rehearsals are “closed” ( parents wait and watch from the green room), she hasn’t had much trouble at all.

Catch the performances of Matt Romine as Willy Wonka, Yeal Mead as Charlie Bucket, Shane Kopischke as Augutus Gloop, M’Kenzy Cannon as Varuca Salt , Kaila Wooten as Violet Beauregarde and Christian Redden as Mike Teavee before they move on to professional projects elsewhere as have many of the Renaissance alumni .

Tightening their belts at the Renaissance Center included new creative ways of financing, therefore, this performance was sponsored by Performance Studios as well as The Center for Dental Excellence. Do not miss the irony of the Dentist sponsoring the play about the candy factory!

If you are tying to decide how to spend your entertainment dollars, why not go see Willy Wonka? The show runs June 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th at 7pm and June 21st and 28th at 2pm. There is a discount coupon for $5.00 off any performance on their web site www.rcenter.org. Show times and ticket information are posted there as well.

Stimulate the economy by supporting our local arts center while having a good time!

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The Renaissance Players present Willy Wonka (TYA), June 19th-28th at The Renaissance Center’s Performance Hall.

Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, featuring the magical songs from the classic family film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Costume designer Amy Scott offered a contest to the children actors on set to see who could design the best Oompa Loompa costume. After many great and creative entries the landslide winner was Maclain Proctor. Now Maclain’s drawing will be used as the design for all the Oompa Loompas.

The show runs June 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th at 7pm and June 21st and 28th at 2pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for children. June 20th we will hold a special matinee and lunch. Lunch is served at noon with the show starting at 1pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $18 for children.

The Renaissance Players shows are cast through open auditions and provide Middle Tennesseans the opportunity to work with professional directors, actors, technicians and craftsmen to present productions comparable to professional theatre companies.

- by The Renaissance Center