ChristMAS Time Is Here….And life is good.
November 30, 2011
Well…it seems that while I have plenty to blog about, I have not been blogging! So – in all the news that is news…
2011 has been pretty darn rad. I told myself and told myself that 2010 would be my year, and boy – was I WRONG. But here it is – nearly the end of 2011, and I am finding that my life -since I left it alone – has been better than I could have imagined.
I am happily working at The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA where I get to indulge in my love for small-town-life as well as my need for culture and creativity (and bargain shopping – there’s a TJ Maxx and a Ross within 10 miles…) all at once. I have been doing my rewarding job here while continuing to collaborate with my MAS Nashville gals (read the latest MAS Blog entry HERE), and we have a fun-tastic show coming up right after Christmas that I am currently working hard on and getting super-excited for. I am also ending sentences with prepositions without regret. :)
I am writing a (currently very bad) play using/inspired by the music of Tammy Wynette – my first real foray into playwrighting – which I know will be, if nothing else, a great learning experience. I am working on various musical projects and loving them all. I am making plans for things I want to accomplish. And furthermore…I don’t care what happens next. Dear control, begone. Life is better when you don’t plan what’s coming and you just do, do, DO. Thanks universe/god/God/whatever you want to call it – for knowing what I need better than I. My friends are glorious, my work is fantastic, my world is good.
(photos by JO MCCAUGHEY)
Come See This…. FIVE – A Cabaret
March 16, 2011
5 of Nashville’s Premiere Stage Divas Combine Forces to Present a One Night Only
Cabaret Style Review, Aptly Titled FIVE.
Born as the brainchild of Erin Parker, FIVE is the culmination of the desire to utilize and
showcase local Nashville talent and creativity and grew from her aims at putting on her
own one-woman show. “I have been working on cabaret and small performance ideas
for years, but I am the queen of thinking myself into paralysis. Oh, if I had a dollar for
every time I had a ‘brilliant’ idea and never did anything with it… I recently made a
resolution to stop doing so much thinking and to actually start doing. In this case, the
first and most important part of the ‘doing’ was surrounding myself with smart, creative,
talented people.” One led to 2, which led to 3, and now 5! Erin reached out to her top
choices of women who embodied what she was looking for: talent, creativity, a love of
theater and all things musical, and the perfect combination of mutual admiration and
respect. The final list of performers includes a who’s who of local theater in Nashville.
Erin Parker is a veteran singer-actress who performs regularly in Nashville as well as
across the country in stage and musical theater productions that showcase her rich
vocals, striking on stage persona, along with her immense versatility as a performer.
Melodie Adams, a timeless throwback of classic beauty, smooth vocals, and acting
chops to boot, lends her overflowing bag of tricks to the sheer betterment of FIVE. Then
there is the comical genius and overall badass singer-actress extraordinaire of Megan
Murphy Chambers who is a local favorite in the Nashville theater community and whose
wealth of performing experience can’t be overstated. Adding to the group of divas, Cori
Laemmel, who has graced almost every stage possible in the local theater scene and
most recently made her Nashville Rep debut in her acclaimed performance in Yankee
Tavern, brings her girlish charm, wit, and soaring vocals to FIVE. Rounding out the
group is relative newcomer Laura Matula who’s breakout performance in Chess in
Concert this past February with Street Theater Company helped solidify her place in the
group with her powerhouse vocals. Laura will also be trading off on keys with the
outstanding Jeffrey Williams.
FIVE is the first production of the newly formed MAS Nashville, a collective of theater
professionals working together to support and showcase the best that Nashville has to
offer. MAS carries a double meaning to its members as well. It is a Mutual Admiration
Society of individuals who desire to build up and highlight the talent and enthusiasm in
each other, but also MAS – Because There’s Always Room for More. More talent, more
variety, more opportunity, more support, and (hopefully) reaching more audiences. With
that theme in mind MAS Nashville presents it’s first show, FIVE. Taking its inspiration
from 5 iconic divas, FIVE is a show full of variety and emotion that showcases the best
in each of its performers, set to a simple and classic piano score. No flash, no set, no
glitz (well, maybe a few rhinestones), but a whole lot of self-possessed knock out
performances of everything from Broadway to pop, killer vocals, laughs, a few good
cries, and a whole lotta love. Join Cori, Erin, Laura, Megan, and Melodie for one night
only and share their songs and stories and maybe, just maybe, experience a little
bit…MORE.
FIVE, presented by MAS Nashville plays one night only.
Monday, March 28th, 2011. 7:30pm.
Tickets will be available at the door for $10. Bring a headshot or resume and get your
ticket half off! Find MAS Nashville on Facebook for more details and information on how
to reserve your tickets!
Street Theatre Company
1933 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN
For more information for FIVE, contact: Laura Matula
lmatula@anthonymatula.com
