Performing Arts
‘Some Like It Hot,’ ‘Saint Joan’ among April theater openings
A Broadway version of classic Marilyn Monroe film — with plenty of tap-dancing — is one of several shows opening in Memphis theaters in April.
Alys Drake
Alys Drake is a Memphian born and raised in the Bluff City. A theater-lover, she has worked in a variety of marketing and communications roles at entities within the advertising, legal, marketing, religious and financial services sectors. She is a graduate of Memphis Central High School and Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
There are 90 articles by Alys Drake :
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April 2025
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Performing Arts
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March 2025
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Women spin, blossoms bloom and nerds unite
This week, punk rock changes a teen girl’s life at Circuit, Black-owned food trucks take over Tiger Lane and you’ve got one more chance to go back to Comeback Coffee.
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MusicOrpheum brings Broadway smash-hit musical to Memphis for new season
The Orpheum announced a new Broadway season, including a new musical that flips the script on Shakespeare’s tragic “Romeo & Juliet,” asking — what if Juliet didn’t die?
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: How to celebrate St. Pat’s Day, plus daffodils and drag
This week, the owls are not what they seem at Crosstown Arts, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” hits the road and the Orpheum reveals its next Broadway lineup.
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MusicWomen in the Arts speakers have a word of advice: Stay ready
Being prepared was the theme of the day at the Women in the Arts event, which was held Saturday at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, and at Theatre Memphis.
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Performing ArtsGermantown Community Theatre new season includes ‘Nunsense,’ ‘Annie Jr.’
The eight productions in Germantown Community Theatre’s latest season include musicals, comedies, plays, a youth production, and the winner of the organization’s emerging playwright contest.
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Performing ArtsPlayhouse 2025-26 season includes ‘Jagged Little Pill,’ more
Seven musicals will be presented, including a regional premiere of “Come From Away,” the Tony Award-winning musical.
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Performing ArtsMemphis’ 2025 theater awards in doubt due to outstanding debt
Memphis' annual Ostrander Awards may not be held this summer as the organization struggles to find funding.
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Performing ArtsA beauty, a beast, Blondie, Benatar and 12 angry jurors
Here’s what’s showing in Memphis theaters this March, including one show that the director describes as “incredibly weird.”
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February 2025
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Performing Arts New Theatre Memphis season includes ‘Legally Blonde’ musical, ‘Shawshank Redemption’
The 2025-26 season includes well-known musicals, family favorites and a classic Shakespearean tragedy.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Mardi Gras for dogs, zydeco for people and a monster movie
This week WYXR wants folks to pull up, author Jared Sullivan talks TVA and the Metal Museum opens an airy exhibition.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Mardi Gras, griots, pirates and the faces of David Bowie
This week, clothing and pottery pop up next to Hard Times Deli, a new sculpture celebrates caregivers and the Dixon’s director talks about cat paintings.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Secret comedy and passionate music
This week, the Crosstown Arts film series comes back with a love story, ‘Hamilton’ is back at the Orpheum and the Tennessee Equality Project brings its gumbo contest back for the 12th year.
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Performing Arts The theater where it happens: ‘Hamilton’ returns to Memphis
Small-town politics, founding fathers and a mystery memory loss are the topics of shows opening in Memphis in February.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Heart works and other art works, plus a Mardi Gras Ball
This week, Broad Avenue cures your sweet tooth, Blue Suede Vintage reopens in a new spot and Lunar New Year celebrations continue at the Agricenter.
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Performing Arts Hattiloo founder returns to the stage
Bertram Williams Jr. previously played the lead in Hattiloo’s latest play, which opened Friday, Jan. 17.
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January 2025
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Ballet dancers, dancing lions and a spacy dance party
This week, Tennessee Williams’ painting are on view at Rhodes, Thomas Dambo’s Trolls are in the Garden and Dru’s Bar is hosting a Grammy’s watch party (with prizes!).
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Performing Arts ‘P-Valley’ star is lead of ‘Black Odyssey’ at Hattiloo
Homecoming is the theme running through Bertram Williams Jr.’s life at the moment.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Year of the Snake kicks off; Simien and Safiya play Crosstown
This week, the Memphis Farmers Market pops up, a Guinean-inspired circus stops at GPAC and a Pink Palace exhibit shows why Earth matters.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Beer science, Mahjong, Dolly Day and DJ nights galore
This week, watch the planets “align” from Harbor Town, catch up on the Mad Max series and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
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Performing ArtsStalin body doubles, Scopes Monkey Trial, 2008 auto crisis are topics of January plays
Also in January, “P-Valley” star Bertram Williams Jr. is the lead in a Black reimagining of Homer’s epic at Hattiloo.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Crosstown concert honors MLK, and Ikea has a party
This week, a Circuit Playhouse production tells the story of Stalin’s body doubles, the Brooks launches a new happy hour and Memphis songwriters take the Halloran stage.
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December 2024
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Performing Arts It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Memphis theaters
From Shakespeare to musicals to beloved Claymation action shows, there is a show for you, including one non-Christmas musical.
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: Firepit Fridays, Stumbling Santas and a light Delight
This week, a Shakespeare rom-com opens in Cordova, zombies are still in season at Growlers and WYXR raises the sound at Crosstown.
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November 2024
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The To-Do List The To-Do List: A Winter Garden, an enchanted castle and sugarplum fairies
This week, Justin Timberlake is back in Memphis, there’s an early turkey trot at Overton Park and the holiday lights come on at Graceland and Downtown.
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