Editor's Note: More than a few Tennessee Conference churches take groups to 'movie nights' or 'nights at the theater.' For that reason I'm trying to give you advance notice of something your senior citizens group, drama group, adult discussion group might miss because they waited too late to make reservations. The original production of CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES is still running after 85 weeks of sold out performances in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Where the touring company has appeared--the story is the same, SOLD OUT performances. Though the story occurs in a Lutheran Church it is "all too Methodist" and even Roman Catholic audiences have felt it also relates very closely to them.
And what are the chances of catching some great humor and having a theatrical production that could be rated "For all ages." Some of the humor may elude younger children, but for junior age on up. The news release describing the play is reprinted below. Just before the news release I've enclosed a few reviews--mainly from United Methodists--so you can see what they felt about the CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES.
Comments from Audiences:
United Methodist Women, ladies of the Bazaar Booster's Group, Decorah, IA, Candace Arp - "No matter the sign on the church door, the women in church basements are the same everywhere ...... they just have different names. Our group had a great day laughing with the 'ladies' and at ourselves."
United Methodist Church, Mankato, MN, Julane Budke--- "We laughed all the way home and are still laughing!"
United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls, SD, Carol Flynn---"the acting was superb--the play hilarious, very close to home since every church kitchen has a 'lady in charge' who knows the only right way to do things--the way we have always done it in the church kitchen."
Grace United Methodist Church, Vernon Center, MN, Melanie Smith shares the feelings of her group:
- It was great! My face hurt from laughing so much! Dorothy
- It was excellent! Very true to life & very funny! - I would go back a second time I thought it was so good! Gerry
- I thought it was FABULOUS!!!!! Peg
- A particularly funny and entertaining play! ...laughed so hard I was afraid I was missing some of the lines! ... the actors were truly stupendous... I could see several ladies in our church in them ...I would love to go again! Ann
- Anyone from a small town church will relate, but everyone will laugh ... the actor and actresses were awesome! Melanie
Pastor Gary Olson, Lakeview Lutheran Church---"Church Basement Ladies is both hilarious and poignant because it connects with our experience with people who, out of great love, care for the local church, but who do it with all their foibles, faux pas, and unwritten rules. We've all been there. It's wonderful-!!"
The News Release:
Nashville, TN March 14, 2007… Curt Wollan, Executive Producer of Troupe America, Inc. and Nashville Producer Art Fegan of Art Fegan Entertainment, are bringing the hit musical CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES to Nashville, Tennessee. The critically acclaimed comedy opens Thursday, April 19 at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in the intimate Andrew Johnson Theater. The production is expected to run thru July 1, 2007.
CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES first opened in 2005 at the Plymouth Playhouse in Minnesota and instantly became an overnight sensation. The Minneapolis Star Tribune described the play as being “wickedly funny and exquisite,” while the St. Paul Dispatch called it “an affectionate peek at community life with a pinch of whimsy.” The show has had a phenomenal run at the Plymouth, selling-out every single performance for over fifteen straight months and is still going strong. On the heels of their regional success, the production has now hit the road for a highly successful 53-city tour, receiving rave reviews and packing theaters all across the country.
And what are the chances of catching some great humor and having a theatrical production that could be rated "For all ages." Some of the humor may elude younger children, but for junior age on up. The news release describing the play is reprinted below. Just before the news release I've enclosed a few reviews--mainly from United Methodists--so you can see what they felt about the CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES.
Comments from Audiences:
United Methodist Women, ladies of the Bazaar Booster's Group, Decorah, IA, Candace Arp - "No matter the sign on the church door, the women in church basements are the same everywhere ...... they just have different names. Our group had a great day laughing with the 'ladies' and at ourselves."
United Methodist Church, Mankato, MN, Julane Budke--- "We laughed all the way home and are still laughing!"
United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls, SD, Carol Flynn---"the acting was superb--the play hilarious, very close to home since every church kitchen has a 'lady in charge' who knows the only right way to do things--the way we have always done it in the church kitchen."
Grace United Methodist Church, Vernon Center, MN, Melanie Smith shares the feelings of her group:
- It was great! My face hurt from laughing so much! Dorothy
- It was excellent! Very true to life & very funny! - I would go back a second time I thought it was so good! Gerry
- I thought it was FABULOUS!!!!! Peg
- A particularly funny and entertaining play! ...laughed so hard I was afraid I was missing some of the lines! ... the actors were truly stupendous... I could see several ladies in our church in them ...I would love to go again! Ann
- Anyone from a small town church will relate, but everyone will laugh ... the actor and actresses were awesome! Melanie
Pastor Gary Olson, Lakeview Lutheran Church---"Church Basement Ladies is both hilarious and poignant because it connects with our experience with people who, out of great love, care for the local church, but who do it with all their foibles, faux pas, and unwritten rules. We've all been there. It's wonderful-!!"
The News Release:
Nashville, TN March 14, 2007… Curt Wollan, Executive Producer of Troupe America, Inc. and Nashville Producer Art Fegan of Art Fegan Entertainment, are bringing the hit musical CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES to Nashville, Tennessee. The critically acclaimed comedy opens Thursday, April 19 at Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in the intimate Andrew Johnson Theater. The production is expected to run thru July 1, 2007.
CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES first opened in 2005 at the Plymouth Playhouse in Minnesota and instantly became an overnight sensation. The Minneapolis Star Tribune described the play as being “wickedly funny and exquisite,” while the St. Paul Dispatch called it “an affectionate peek at community life with a pinch of whimsy.” The show has had a phenomenal run at the Plymouth, selling-out every single performance for over fifteen straight months and is still going strong. On the heels of their regional success, the production has now hit the road for a highly successful 53-city tour, receiving rave reviews and packing theaters all across the country.
CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES, a celebration of the Church basement kitchen and the women who work there, is a musical comedy featuring four distinct characters, and their relationships, as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural church in the 1960’s. From the elderly matriarch of the kitchen, to the young bride-to-be learning the proper order of things, the production gives us a touching and humorous look into their lives as we see them handle a record-breaking Christmas dinner, the funeral of a dear friend, a Hawaiian Easter Fundraiser and a steaming hot July wedding. Collectively, these basement ladies stave off potential disasters, instruct the young and keep the Pastor on due course –all while thoroughly enjoying (and tolerating) each other. Funny and down to earth, audiences are sure to recognize these ladies as they see the year unfold from the basement of the House of God.Inspired by authors/humorists, Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, the creators of the best-selling book Growing Up Lutheran, director Curt Wollan wanted to create a show that celebrates the women who are the foundation and bed rock of the church. Wollan explains, “It’s about the women who work so hard with such dedication to cook, clean and support the Church, whether they be Lutheran, Methodist, Jewish or Catholic and everyone of us know who they are. My Mom and the mothers of all my friends were church basement ladies and I wanted to honor these women. This is dedicated to them.”
Jim Stowell, one of America's favorite storytellers, and Jessica Zuehlke, a performance arts educator, developed the script for CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES and collaborated with composer/songwriter Drew Jansen, well-known writer for Comedy Central’s “Let’s Bowl” and “Mystery Science Theatre 3000.” The production is choreographed by Wendy Short Hayes; set design by Jared Grohs; lighting design by Scott Herbst; costume design by Beth Nistler and musical direction by Drew Jansen.
TPAC is located in the James K. Polk Cultural Center at 505 Deaderick Street in downtown Nashville between 5th & 6th Avenues and Deaderick and Union Streets. Performances are as follows: Thursdays at 1pm & 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm and Sundays at 2pm & 6:30pm.
Ticket prices range from $29 - $40 and are on sale now. About Ticket Sales: To purchase single tickets call Ticketmaster ARTS line at 615-255-2787 or order online at www.tpac.org. For group sales information (10 or more), call 615-782-4060. For further information visit www.cbl-nashville.com.
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