The Dead Are a Family Affair at The Renaissance Center

The dead have risen from the grave in The Renaissance Players production of “Night of the Living Dead” at The Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tennessee. The cult classic opened to an enthusiastic theater audience this past weekend and the zombies and ghoulies will return next weekend with Friday and Saturday night performances, Oct. 29 and 30, at 7 p.m.

 

Despite the terror-filled storyline of seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous flesh-eating zombies, this popular production is actually a family affair as many of the 40-plus cast members include mulitple family members. Cast in the role of Barbara, Rachel Gunn, of Dickson, is accompanied by her daughter, Tory (News Anchor), her oldest son, Will (in the role of Ben) and her three younger boys, Andy, Al & Luke, all zombies. Beth Burch, of Bellevue, is playing the role of Helen and her son, Jeremy, was cast in the role of Tom. The mother/daughter team of Vickie and Paige Songer, father/son team of Jim and PJ Reyome, mother/son combo of Arden and Austin Gatlin, and sister/sister duo of Jessie and Amanda Woodland also are a part of the act. “Theatre is one of the few things that an entire family can do together anymore, and The Renaissance Players is like one big family. . .even at Halloween,” says Director, Bryan Wlas.

The show is unlike anything ever seen on The Renaissance Center’s stage, as it’s completely done in traditional black and white. “We’ve never done a show on a grayscale before, including skin tones, so this is an exciting new boundary to push that I think audiences enjoy and appreciate it,” Wlas notes. Based on the classic independent film from 1968, directed by George Romero, the theater production is also set in the 1960s. “We wanted to keep true to the original movie, but with our own take. It’s a classic for a reason, ” adds Wlas.

Gather your family of ghoulies and zombies and come out to see “Night of the Living Dead” at The Renaissance Center. After all, the family that plays together… can have a lot of fun together!

Performances: Oct. 29 and 30, at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15/adult, $12/seniors, and $8/children. Call 615-740-5500 for reservations today, or visit the website, www.rcenter.org for more information.

Arts Happenings!

Opening in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre is the heartwarming stage adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom's visits with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, become one last class on the meaning of life. Productions run now through May 16th with senior matinees Tuesdays through Friday at noon for $25, and evening shows Friday and Saturday at 6:30pm for $35.

Don't miss Arts Advocacy Day on April 14th at Legislative Plaza from 10am-3pm. Tennesseans for the Arts is hosting a free showcase of musicians, dancers, performers and visual artists to show the value of the arts to the public. Your favorite Renaissance Center employees will be there helping all the stage acts. Look for us in the black Tech shirts!

Jump into spring from 7pm-8:30pm on April 17th through exploring techniques of landscape and wildflower photography. Then on April 18th from 7am to 11am put the lessons into practice by shooting on location in a field setting in the Spring Nature Photography Workshop taught by Terry Livingstone for $85.

On April 18th from 10am-noon, study the six pillars of character through acting exercises in the Character Counts Acting Workshop with Kendra Simonton, which costs $20. Or learn and perform musical numbers with Bryan J. Wlas and Nathan W. Brown in the Musical Theatre Song and Dance Workshop on April 18th and 25th from 11am-12:30pm for $40.

Also on April 18th, come from 6-6:45pm for basic ballroom instruction with Davileen McNeely and Matt Stewart for $5. Then show off your new skills at an open Dance Party from 7-10pm.

Finally, come and audition for this summer's production of Willy Wonka based on the Roald Dahl's children book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Children 5-10 audition April 20th at 7pm, while those ages 11 and up will audition at 7pm on April 21st. Come ready with 16 measures of any song and sheet music or an accompaniment CD. Be prepared to move, as there will be a short dance audition as well.

Pictures from Opening Night!

opening night through the eyes of lady larken...

After weeks and weeks of practice, it all comes down to this. Opening night!

The excitement is palatable. As I walk into the girl’s dressing room, I’m engulfed by the sound of my fellow Players singing along to the radio; “All my singles ladies!” Everyone is bustling around, putting on makeup, wigs and costumes. It’s very crowded in the little room, but everyone is having fun besides.

Before the play begins we all meet to hand off the chalice, which for this run is a little can of peas wearing a crown. The chalice is started by the director and is given to a different member of the cast before each show in recognition of their hard work. It is a simple gesture, but means a great deal to us all.

And then the moment we have all been waiting for; “Places!” As the curtain opens and we get the first glimpse of the audience, I get butterflies in my stomach all over again.

No matter how many times you practice a play, there is nothing quite like having an audience. The anticipation for seeing our show, which we had all worked so long on, actually being enjoyed is almost too much to bear!

Since the Renaissance Players are a community theater group, none of us get paid for this. We spend our time at the Center because we love it, not because we have to be there to make a living. I think that that is something that makes community theater shows so unique. We truly love what we do, because we do it purely for the love of it.

Amanda Mollenhour
Lady Larken