Do You Know Desi?

With opening night of I Love Lucy Live on Stage less than a month away, we've been learning new things about Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball that we didn't know before and we wanted to share that knowledge with all of you! 

• Desi Arnaz first became famous when he popularized the song "Babalu" in 1947, which is a tribute to an Afro-Cuban god. 
  
  
  
  
• Desi was the son of Desiderio Alberto Arnaz, the mayor of Santiago, Cuba and a member of the Cuban House of Representatives and Dolores de Acha, whose father was one of three founders of Bacardi Rum. 
  
   
• Although Desi Arnaz is not credited with inventing the conga line, he is credited with popularizing it thanks to his role in the 1940 movie Too Many Girls.
   
• Lucy's maiden name on the show I Love Lucy was McGillicuddy.
• Desi introduced live audiences and also helped develop the three-camera shoot that is still used for sitcoms today. 
  
  
  Be sure to catch the "I Love Lucy Christmas Special" Friday, December 20 at 7 PM on CBS and get your tickets for I Love Lucy Live on Stage playing January 14 - February 2, 2014 at tpac.org/lucy!    

ON SALE NOW: Ghost and Sister Act

Although Ghost and Sister Act are two very different movies, they have a few things in common. 

1. The hilarious Whoopi Goldberg starred in both. 

2. Both musicals are coming to TPAC this season! 

3. Both are on sale now! 

From a technical standpoint, Ghost the Musical and Sister Act the Musical are distinct in their own ways, but they both have heart-warming stories to back up the fantastic original music. 

Here's Paul Kieve, the "illusions designer" for Ghost the Musical, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how he approached the creation of jaw-dropping stage magic for this one-of-a-kind musical experience. See you if you can figure how they do it. Ghost plays February 25 to March 2, 2014. 

Find out what happens when the TPAC Review Crew dress up as Sister Act nuns, escape from TPAC, and go sightseeing in Nashville. Keep a lookout for Capitol Hill, Legislative Plaza, Musica, the Parthenon, the men's room at the Hermitage Hotel, and lower Broadway. Special thanks to Jeni's, Bill at Walkin' Nashville music tours, Bolton's and Wanna B's. Sister Act the Musical plays March 6-11, 2014.

Be sure to visit tpac.org/ghost and tpac.org/sisteract  for tickets!

Psst! Special deals will be announced for Black Friday and Cyber Monday soon! Sign up for our StageLinks at tpac.org/stagelinks to receive the news!

REVIEW: Tennessee Rep Delivers an Impeccable ‘Earnest’

Photo by Shane Burkeen courtesy Tennessee Repertory Theatre.

Tennessee Repertory Theatre’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, is now playing at TPAC’s Andrew Johnson Theater and getting rave reviews. Check out the latest from Evans Donnell at ArtsNash:

“The entire cast – which also includes Bobby Wyckoff doubling as servants Lane and Merriman, Denice Hicks as Cecily’s governess Miss Prism and Brian Webb Russell as the Rev. Canon Chasuble – are in command of moment and mirth throughout. Each has impeccable timing, and their actions and reactions are precisely what one would think they should be for each character. Carter and Landham are particularly impressive in their attacks; it’s not hard to fall into the trap of overdoing their characters’ pomposity such that Bracknell and Gwendolyn become boorish, but both actors avoid that trap with deliveries that breathe fresh life into characters I’ve seen at least 30 times on stage or screen over the years.”

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by Rene Copeland, runs through November 2. Performances are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26 as well as Nov. 2. 

For tickets call (615) 782-4040 or visit www.tennesseerep.org

WICKED: Oh, What A Celebration We'll Have Today

This month, the fan-favorite blockbuster musical, Wicked, will celebrate its 10^th anniversary. On October 30, it will become one of only 10 other Broadway productions to have reached this milestone. Here is a look at all the “Emerald City” celebrations coming up:

 First, a deluxe edition of the original Broadway Cast recording with all 19 original tracks, plus bonus tracks, and a new track called “Popular Song” by MIKA featuring Arianna Grande, will be released digitally October 29 and in stores November 19. The two-CD edition will feature new artwork created specifically for the show’s anniversary. It will include a booklet with updated content by composer Stephen Schwartz and Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. A vinyl, collector’s edition will be for sale online at www.wickedthemusical.com and at the Gershwin Theatre.

 If you will be in New York, you can find Wicked costumes, memorabilia, and merchandise on display from October 20 to November 1 at the NBC Experience Store in Rockefeller Plaza. At the JFK airport, the American Airlines terminal will be transformed into Oz from October 15 until November 30. The display, called the “World of Wicked,” will feature a replica of Glinda’s bubble and a special museum display called “Behind the Emerald Curtain.”

 The show’s home on Broadway, the Gershwin Theatre, is undergoing renovations for the 10^th anniversary performance, including changes to the front-of-house and restrooms, as well as the installation of new carpeting and new seats. Meanwhile, the artwork and website for Wicked are receiving makeovers, and a special “greenified” Playbill will be distributed at the show on the night of October 30.

 Don’t live in New York and feel like you’re missing out on all Wicked fun? Fans of the show on Facebook and Twitter followers can participate in online giveaways during “30 Days of Flight.” The prizes include special gifts, messages from cast members, and more. Every week, fans will have the opportunity to win two tickets to the 10th anniversary performance. You can like Wicked here and follow the show here.

Last but not least, celebrity and fashion manicurist Deborah Lippman has created a new trio of nail polishes in honor of the anniversary. You can pick up the shades called “Defying Gravity”, “Popular”, and “One Short Day” at Sephora stores or www.sephora.com for a limited time.  

 

Wicked is currently playing an open-ended run on Broadway in New York and operating two national tours, one of which will make a four-week, return stop at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in March to April 2014. Tickets go on sale in January.

For more on the anniversary celebrations and reunions check out these links:
WICKED 10th Anniversary Cruise Launches November 3 

Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth Smile Big For New WICKED Reunion Photo 

WICKED Chat: Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel Talk Rumored Rivalry, Tonys, & More

BWW TV Exclusive: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE - WICKED 10th Anniversary Special with Leading Ladies Lindsey Mendez & Alli Mauzey!

 

Brent Hyams Named Chief Operating Officer of TPAC and War Memorial Auditorium

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center announces the promotion of Brent Hyams to Chief Operating Officer.

A 10-year veteran of the performing arts center, Hyams oversees all operations in production, ticketing, patron services, marketing, and facility maintenance for the organization’s four performance venues, including Andrew Jackson Hall (capacity 2,472), James K. Polk Theater (capacity 1,075), Andrew Johnson Theater (capacity 264) and the historic War Memorial Auditorium (capacity 1,789), adjacent to the center.

Hyams, a native of Hopkinsville, KY, has served as the center’s executive vice president and general manager since 2009. Before joining TPAC as a marketing director in 2003, Hyams worked for the Ryman Auditorium, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, and Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville. He also has worked for agencies in Atlanta and New York. Hyams graduated from The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1994 with a degree in advertising. He now serves on the Grady Society Board.

“Brent has brought to our organization an unrivaled dedication to detail and a passion for creating full, memorable experiences for all of our audience members,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC president and chief executive officer. “We’re extremely fortunate to have his forward thinking and leadership talents, and I’m privileged to work alongside him as we enter the next fiscal year.”

Recently, Hyams has spearheaded plans to renovate and research the historic War Memorial Auditorium, which was dedicated in 1925 as a memorial to Tennesseans killed in World War I. The auditorium has a unique history as both a civic center and premier music venue for Nashville. It was not only where presidential candidates would speak but it was home to the Nashville Symphony for 55 years (1925-1980) and the fourth home of the Grand Ole Opry (1939-1943).

“TPAC has long managed the auditorium as a beautiful space for weddings, special events, and performances. My goal has been to dig deeper into the amazing history of the auditorium and help people rediscover it as a Tennessee treasure,” Hyams said. “We have collaborated with local and state archives to find old photos, remodel the dressing rooms, and upgrade the sound system to work better with the auditorium’s natural acoustics. It’s really been a labor of love for me, and I’m excited about continuing the tradition of bringing a wide variety of musical acts from all genres for Nashvillians to experience in this storied hall.”

Hyams is involved with the Nashville Downtown Partnership and the 5^th Avenue of the Arts. He also is a member of the International Association of Venue Managers. Hyams is married to Amy Lewis, with whom he has two sons, Lewis and Fentress.