Spring is coming, and it’s bringing a huge variety of live theatrical performances to Knoxville.
Whether you want to delve into serious topics or simply sit down and have a few laughs, next month offers something for you.
Tennessee Theatre
“Something Rotten”
When: March 1-3
Genre: Musical
The Tennessee Theatre will start the month with a popular Broadway comedy.
Taking place in 1595, Tom O’Farrell’s “Something Rotten” tells the story of aspiring playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom. Frustrated by their failure to create a hit play, the siblings seek a soothsayer for advice. After this meeting, the two decide to create the world’s very first musical.
“Lucy Negro Redux”
When: March 20
Genre: Ballet
This brand new production explores a long asked question in Shakespearean debate: Who was the “Dark Lady” in the Bard’s sonnets?
Nashville Ballet approaches this question in “Lucy Negro Redux,” an adaptation of poetry by Caroline Randall Williams. The ballet presents the romantic “Dark Lady” as an African-American woman, seeks to explore ideas of equality in a world that discourages it. The performance will be featured as a part of the Big Ears Festival, with Paul Vasterling serving as Choreographer and Director.
“Shen Yu Performing Arts”
When: March 26 & 27
Genre: Dance
The Shen Yu Performing Arts show is an exploration of Chinese culture through 5000 years of civilization and mythology. The performance uses song and dance to relate the history and legends on a large scale.
This distinct showcase seeks to resist the Chinese Communist Party’s extirpation of traditional Chinese ideals by showcasing a world where classical Chinese belief systems — like Buddhism and Taoism — are fully displayed.
Clarence Brown Theatre
“Detroit ‘67”
When: February 27-March 17.
Genre: Straight Play
This historical drama recounts the events of the 1967 Detroit Race Riots. In Dominique Morisseau’s play, five Detroiters will see their lives drastically changed because of the racial tension in the blue-collar town. The play will play at the Carousel Theatre, featuring music from the Motown recording company.
“The Real Inspector Hound”
When: March 27-30
Genre: Straight Play
“The Real Inspector Hound” is a one-act play following two theatre critics. While reviewing a new play, the critics will find themselves getting more and more involved with the murder mystery occurring on the stage. The performance was written by Tom Stoppard — also known for “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”— and will offer a satire of theatre, critique, and murder mysteries.
Bijou Theatre
“Friends, The Musical Parody”
When: March 6
Genre: Musical
Written by Bob and Tobly McSmith, this musical aims to lovingly poke fun at popular TV show “Friends.” It will follow a group of 20-something friends as they try to go about life, love and work in the center of 1990’s New York City.
“Vaudeville Extravaganza!”
When: March 15
Genre: Vaudeville
The Bijou Theatre will celebrate its 110th Anniversary with a high-energy variety show. This three-hour show will feature a line-up of performances, including skits, dance, music and shows of acrobatics. The band Sammy Milly and the Congregation will close the night with a show of jazz and theatrics.
Tennessee Stage Company
Table Readings
When: March 2-31
Genre: Straight Play
The Tennessee Stage Company will continue its 2019 New Play Festival with a series of script reading. This event will included multiple brand new plays being read to an audience for the first time. The scripts read include:
“To the Bone” by Charlie Vance – A story about the struggles of woman who feels life has given her too heavy a load.
“A House for Mandy” by Robert Allen – The story of how a calm evening on a family’s porch turns into a harrowing experience about family struggles and violence.
“Raft” by Harrison Young – A story about two people trapped in a bouncy castle adrift at sea. The two will banter as they warily eye a small hole in their raft.
Flying Anvil Theatre
“Crimes of the Heart”
When: March 8-24
Beth Henley’s drama is a tale about three sisters reunited over the death of their family’s patriarch. It aims to explore how the young women will escape their past to move into the future, all the while delivering a touching and comedic tone.
Knoxville Children’s Theatre
“Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr.”
When 1-3, 7-10, and 14-17
Genre: Musical
Based on the well-known Disney movie, the youthful cast of “Marry Poppins Jr.” will retell the story of the Banks Family. Michael and Jane Banks are a pair of misbehaving British youths. Hoping to tame their children, the seemingly magical Mary Poppins appears on the Banks’ doorstep to serve as the kids’ new nanny.
