Oklahoma!

Auditions

May 3-4

Two nights of auditions for the upcoming Arts in McNairy production of Oklahoma will be held 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday, May 3 & Tuesday, May 4. Auditions will be in the music room at Selmer Community Center 230, North 5th Street in Selmer, TN.

A perennial Rogers and Hammerstein favorite, Oklahoma calls for a large cast with plenty of roles for men, women, children and actors of all experience levels. Be prepared to read from the script, perform a few simple dance steps in groups and sing a few bars for the music director. Lot's of extras, musicians and a large production crew will also be required so come join the fun!

Oklahoma is being directed by AiM Performing Arts Chair, Bryan Essary and production dates are July 9-12, 2010. As is the custom for AiM's summer Broadway series, five shows will be performed and the 2010-11 theatre season is expected to be announced on the opening weekend.

Steel Magnolias
April 9-11



Arts in McNairy is proud to announce three upcoming performances of Steel Magnolias 7:30 PM, April 9 & 10 and 2:00 PM April 11. All shows will be at McNairy Central High School’s Little Theatre, 493 High School Road in Selmer, TN. Tickets will be available at the door for $8.00 (adults) and $5.00 (students).

The show is based on Robert Harling’s original stage play that first appeared Off Broadway in 1987 and was later popularized by the 1989 Tri Star Pictures release. The familiar and much beloved characters are portrayed by an outstanding cast of six local ladies. Three are new to Arts in McNairy and three are veteran performers. Making return appearance to the AiM stage are Megan Woolworth (Annelle), Christy Carmack (Ouiser) and Melanie Murray (Truvy). Making their AiM debut are, Sara Morris (Shelby), Dr. Nicolle Feeney (M’Lynn) and Sara Norris (Clairee). Tom Cook returns to direct his second show with Arts in McNairy. Tom directed the memorable 2008 production of A Christmas Carol and has been seen on stage in numerous roles over the last several years.

Music & Public Art Take Center Stage in 2010 Rockabilly Revival

This week, Arts in McNairy announced the musical lineup for the 2010 Rockabilly Highway Revival. They also made available the first information about two new public art installations that will take place in conjunction with the event. The 2009 Rockabilly Highway Revival and Rockabilly Highway Mural dedication were run-away successes attracting music fans, art lovers, period car enthusiasts and just about everyone else, it seemed. Some estimated attendance as high as 5,000 for the inaugural, June, festival sponsored by Arts in McNairy, McNairy Regional Alliance, Selmer Business Alliance and the city of Selmer.

This year’s Rockabilly Revival is planned for June 12 and a schedule of events will be announced at a later date. The festival pays homage to the McNairy County’s famed Rockabilly music roots with an all day celebration including, live music, food vendors, public art dedication, period car and motorcycle shows, “Artist’s Alley,” 5K run, carnival and a multitude of other exiting attractions.

Music offerings will again include Nashville’s Rockabilly bad boy, Phil Hummer with his all female accompaniment The White Falcons. New to this year’s stage will be North Georgia’s Jason Thomas and the Mean-Eyed Cats (pictured above), who are well known to the Chattanooga music scene. The headlining act will be Carl Perkins’ and Johnny Cash’s original drummer and Sun Records recording legend, W.S. Holland with his excellent group of sidemen from Jackson, Tennessee. A few musical surprises are expected to round out the day.

Arts in McNairy will also dedicate two more pieces of public art that are part of a multiyear plan to develop a scenic walking trail in downtown Selmer. Each piece will commemorate some aspect of the county’s rich musical heritage and are funded in part by Tennessee Arts Commission grants. Metal artists Tim Pace and Bob Brooks have been commissioned to complete two very different sculptures to be placed in Selmer’s new green space and farmer’s market at the corner of Court Avenue and Front Street. This year’s Rockabilly Revival festivities are slated to open with the park and sculpture dedications.