Erica Haines News

It's already heating up in Nashville and it's not even summer yet! But Nashville area theater companies are hard at work to ensure that audiences have a lot to choose from in the way of live theater presented in cool, darkened theaters. Here are our suggestions for the most eagerly anticipated shows of the sultry summer season…

The Act Too Players (ATP), Williamson County's premier training program for all youths interested in the performing arts is introducing a new program called AT Pro (Act Too Pro) will be dedicated to providing live professional theatre by utilizing the talents of Act Too Players teachers, alumni, and current students to create an experience that inspires, challenges, and educates the children of Williamson County.

The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT), Williamson County's original and longest-running professional theatre company opens its second show of their 14th season with the frothy, fun, and energetic LEGALLY BLONDE the MUSICAL playing today, September 30th through October 4th at the beautiful, historic Franklin Theatre. Having won over audiences across the nation, Elle, Bruiser and friends will make their BRT debut for a limited engagement! Equal parts hilarious and heart-warming warming, this musical is so much fun it should be illegal!

Street Theatre Company's youth program, ClassAct Dramatics, announces it's fall youth programming workshop series, Through The Stage Door, in partnership with seven local Teaching Artists. This fall, young actors will have the opportunity to learn from local professional teaching artists to learn many different aspects of theatre both on and off the stage.

Street Theatre Company's ClassAct Dramatics presents the beloved children's musical, 'Really Rosie.' This fantastic story is written by Maurice Sendak (author of 'Where the Wild Things Are') and features music by the incredible Carole King.

Street Theatre Company's ClassAct Dramatics presents the beloved children's musical, "Really Rosie." This fantastic story is written by Maurice Sendak (author of "Where the Wild Things Are") and features music by the incredible Carole King.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below.

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Voting is now underway for the Nashville Awards and continues until December 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in early January. Check out the live standings below!

Theater people from throughout Tennessee gathered at Belmont University's Bill and Carole Troutt Theatre on Sunday night for the 2013 First Night Honors to pay tribute to a group of eight remarkable people who have made indelible marks on the theater scene throughout their storied careers. Hosted by Holly Shepherd and Joel Diggs, the gala evening honored the eight leading lights of Tennessee theater as they were recognized as members of the First Night Class of 2013 Honorees.

Street Theatre Company presents the beloved story, The Secret Garden, this summer, featuring nearly 30 area youth, directed by Elaina McKnight Shaver and musical directed by Erica Haines.

Street Theatre Company presents the beloved story, The Secret Garden, this summer, featuring nearly 30 area youth, directed by Elaina McKnight Shaver and musical directed by Erica Haines.

Based on the classic book by Tennessee-born Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a 10-year-old spoiled and sickly girl who, after the death of her parents from cholera, is sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven. There she meets Martha, a maid on the grounds, her brother Dickon, who can talk to animals and is able to grow anything with a little bit of soil and Colin, a boy who has given up the will to live, believing he is doomed to be a hunchback like his father.

In the coming weeks, we'll give you a sneak peek to what happens backstage as we presents photographs taken during intermission at some of the hottest shows to be mounted during these hot summer months (which always leads to mischief). Today, we continue our series with photos from Daron Bruce (our lensman at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre's Fiddler on the Roof) and Matthew Hayes Hunter (who's clicking away backstage at Arts Center of Cannon County's Arsenic and Old Lace).

With a cast filled with some of Nashville's most talented stage performers, director Paul J. Cook's version of Company-now onstage at The Keeton Theatre in a sparkling new production from Circle Players-is brimming over with theatrical riches. But if you had to pick just one from among this cadre of showstopping stars, I'd pick one Ms. Debbie Kraski, whose Joanne in as memorable as any you might have seen, and as heartbreakingly genuine as any you might ever have hoped to witness.