Jason Spitzer News

A Memphis family holiday tradition, Theatre Memphis' 39th annual production of A Christmas Carol will run December 2 through December 23, 2016, on the Lohrey Stage. Miserly and rich Ebenezer Scrooge is approached by the ghostly vision of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of an upcoming spiritual journey. An eye opening exploration leads to happiness and enlightenment, not to mention song, dance, and holiday cheer.

? Theatre Memphis' final production of the 2015-16 season, Oliver!, will open June 10 and run until July 3, 2016, on the Lohrey Stage. A wildly entertaining musical that brings Charles Dickens' timeless characters to life from his novel, the story tells of a poor orphan and his associates scrambling to survive in Old London Towne and begging for "more … please." The sensational score includes "Food Glorious Food" , "Consider Yourself", "As Long as He Needs Me", and more. This family musical show truly gives meaning to singing for your supper.

A Memphis family holiday tradition, Theatre Memphis' 38th annual production of A Christmas Carol will run tonight, December 4 until December 23, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage. Miserly and rich Ebenezer Scrooge is approached by the ghostly vision of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of an upcoming spiritual journey. An eye opening exploration leads to happiness and enlightenment, not to mention song, dance, and holiday cheer.

Theatre Memphis' 38th annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will run tonight, December 4 until December 23, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage.

A Memphis family holiday tradition, Theatre Memphis' 38th annual production of A Christmas Carol will run December 4 until December 23, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage. Miserly and rich Ebenezer Scrooge is approached by the ghostly vision of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of an upcoming spiritual journey. An eye opening exploration leads to happiness and enlightenment, not to mention song, dance, and holiday cheer.

Theatre Memphis' 38th annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will run December 4 until December 23, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage.

George Cukor's 1940 film version of Philip Barry's THE PHILADELPHIA STORY was Katharine Hepburn's return to glory after the actress had been labeled 'box office poison' after the failure of several films. 021The savvy Hepburn was able to bend MGM to her will when it wanted to film Barry's play, and the end result rewarded everyone involved: Hepburn, her old RKO co-star Cary Grant, and the up and coming James Stewart. Not only were Oscar nominations and wins in store, but at the center of it all was Hepburn in all her patrician, high cheek-boned elegance. She may have given greater performances as the tragic, dope-addicted 'Mary Tyrone' in the film version of Eugene O'Neill's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT or as the caustic, sparring 'Eleanor of Aquitaine' in James Goldman's THE LION IN WINTER, but for those who want to see Hepburn at the height of her unusual beauty and comedic gifts, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a must. Having seen the film numerous times, I was wary of Theatre Memphis' staging of Barry's work. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, once seen, leaves such an impression that it's rather like tackling a remake of THE WIZARD OF OZ or GONE WITH THE WIND or THE GODFATHER. Director Jason Spitzer has taken the dare, and he and his cast have mostly succeeded in the satiny, stylized production currently playing at Theatre Memphis.

The Philadelphia Story opens tonight, April 24 and runs through May 10, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis.

The Philadelphia Story opens April 24 and runs through May 10, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. A classic American comedy, this sophisticated fun and zany satire takes a witty look behind the scenes of a posh socialite wedding. Tracy Lord is all set to walk down the aisle for a second time when suddenly confronted by an ex-husband and a charming reporter covering the wedding for a national magazine. Tracy will walk down the aisle ... but with whom?

Theatre Memphis' Next Stage has girded its loins and taken on the challenge of staging Michael Frayn's dense and difficult COPENHAGEN, and it must have known from the outset that such an esoteric piece will offer rewards to a select audience. The very title itself (though certainly appropriate) is not exactly audience-inviting; and the language, redolent with physics jargon and theories, is tantamount to watching a foreign film or listening to an opera without subtitles. Indeed, I had been warned by a very erudite theatregoer who had just seen it the previous night that there would be an exodus after intermission: There was. In spite of all this, the play can be richly rewarding for those who remain seated - even those whose only previous experience with physics came in the form of the woefully miscast Denise Richards as research physicist 'Dr. Christmas Jones' in the 'James Bond' adventure THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (my jaw dropped at that one - as it did recently while watching Jennifer Lopez assay the role of an instructor of classics in THE BOY NEXT DOOR . . . with 'Minnie Mouse'-voiced Kristen Chenowith as an Assistant Principal!)

Copenhagen, a Tony Award winner for Best Play, explodes onto the Next Stage at Theatre Memphis and runs February 13 - March 1, 2015.

As my hand was turning to mincemeat while writing personal notes in Christmas card after Christmas card, I persevered, knowing that at the end of my travails there would be a reward: A much anticipated performance of Theatre Memphis' annual 'gift' to Memphis, Charles Dickens' venerable A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I must admit: I have not attended every performance of that classic since its inception. I have, however, infrequently stopped to hang my wreath at its door; and I've seen some fine 'Ebeneezers' over the years (I recall a former teaching colleague, Tom Ford, offering a tight, clipped interpretation and, of course, one of the best and most frequent of the actors donning those tattered gloves, Memphis acting favorite Barry Fuller). As I wrote card after card, I began to think about all the other interpretations of A CHRISTMAS CAROL that I have encountered through the years - Seymour Hicks; Reginald Owen (in the role MGM intended for an ailing Lionel Barrymore, who had become famous for his radio performance and who would have, no doubt, been superior; a not-all-that-bad consolation prize was his equally tight-fisted 'Mr. Potter' in Frank Capra's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE); Orson Welles (in a Mercury Theatre radio performance); Sir Ralph Richardson (a beautiful audio recording); Alastair Sim (in the early 1950's British film and offering my favorite interpretation of the role; Danny Peary, in his fascinating ALTERNATE OSCARS, selects him as Best Actor for that performance); and, certainly, George C. Scott, in what was considered to be the version to end all versions. (And does anyone recall Jim Backus' 'Mr. Magoo' in a delightful animated musical television special back in the 1960's?)

A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis will open December 5, 2014, for the 37th consecutive year but with a new spirit, David Shipley, performing as Ebenezer Scrooge. Theatre Memphis, having completely redesigned the set and costumes a few years ago, will have additional updates to other Spirits (Past, Present and Future) costumes and particular scenes that will enhance the storytelling further. Evening and matinee performances will run through December 23, 2014, Tickets are available by calling 901.682.8323 or by going online to http://theatrememphis.org/a-christmas-carol-2014. Weekday school matinee performances (a truncated version with Ron Gordon as Scrooge) are on the Lohrey Stage December 3- December 18, 2014 (2 performances per day at 9:30am and 11am). FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUNCATED VERSION PLEASE GO TO http://theatrememphis.org/a-christmas-carol-student-matinees

Harvey, a time-honored classic comedy, opens tonight, April 25, 2014 and runs through May 11, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. The lead character, Elwood P. Dowd, is inseparable from his best friend and confidant, Harvey, an over six-foot magical white rabbit. Only Elwood can see Harvey so is it any wonder Elwood's family decides a peaceful sanatorium might be suitable for him - and Harvey? As it turns out, a sanatorium is the perfect place for a comedy of errors that proves Elwood and Harvey may be the sanest characters around.

Harvey, a time-honored classic comedy, opens April 25, 2014 and runs through May 11, 2014 on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. The lead character, Elwood P. Dowd, is inseparable from his best friend and confidant, Harvey, an over six-foot magical white rabbit. Only Elwood can see Harvey so is it any wonder Elwood's family decides a peaceful sanatorium might be suitable for him - and Harvey? As it turns out, a sanatorium is the perfect place for a comedy of errors that proves Elwood and Harvey may be the sanest characters around.

n this musical based on the 1950 film, an aging star of silent films longs to return to the big screen having faded from notoriety with the invention of "talkies." When she meets a struggling Hollywood screenwriter, the two begin to work on a script to revive her career. The passionate and tumultuous relationship that ensues leads to an unforeseen conclusion. Winner of the 1995 Tony Award for Best Musical.

n this musical based on the 1950 film, an aging star of silent films longs to return to the big screen having faded from notoriety with the invention of "talkies." When she meets a struggling Hollywood screenwriter, the two begin to work on a script to revive her career. The passionate and tumultuous relationship that ensues leads to an unforeseen conclusion. Winner of the 1995 Tony Award for Best Musical.

The 35th annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis is coming back to the stage with an additional Saturday matinee performance for 2012. The veteran stage actor Barry Fuller returns as Scrooge and a A Christmas Carol director Jason Spitzer returns as well. After record breaking attendence in 2011, the 2012 cast will be scurrying around a London-scrim set that Christopher McCollum, current resident scenic designer at Theatre Memphis, designed for the traditional holiday classic. Patron requests for a family package of tickets to the holiday event have been answered with a new Holiday Family Pack for tickets to A Christmas Carol that are good through December 9, 2012. The package contains two adult and two youth/student tickets for only $60. Additional youth/student tickets can be purchased at the same time as the Pack is purchased for only $10 each. There is a limit to one Holiday Family Pack per family.

The 34rd annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis is coming back to the stage with the veteran stage actor Barry Fuller as Scrooge, the new re-envisioned set from last year and the vision of four-time ACC director Jason Spitzer.

The 34rd annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis is coming back to the stage with the veteran stage actor Barry Fuller as Scrooge, the new re-envisioned set from last year and the vision of four-time ACC director Jason Spitzer.