NASHVILLE’S theatre community “STANDS” against homelessness and addiction.
Reyland has crafted a fair amount of serious works over the years, but this play clearly represents something closer to his heart. His terse and credible dialogue, poignant and speckled with surprising humor, tells the story of the homeless Johnny and businessman Mark, who become friends and together take a redemptive personal journey.
Barry Scott and Chip Arnold, veteran actors with high local standing, give virtuoso performances under the careful direction of David Compton. Scott's Johnny is simple hearted but sincere, and like many homeless people clearly suffers the ravages of longtime despair and addiction. Arnold's Mark is defeated in his own way, but he has resources to help his new friend, and his character's uncommon efforts as Good Samaritan are relayed with a good deal of heart.
In addition to raising money for a good cause, Reyland's play is a significant theatrical success as well.
Jim Reyland’s Stand offers an eloquent portrait of human life at its most unsettling, uncomfortable and unrelenting…and most forgiving, loving and extraordinary. (see more)
STAND is the true story of Johnny “JJ” Ellis who spent three drug-addicted decades on the streets of Nashville, and a Good Samaritan who stepped up to help him. The play is directed by David Compton. “JJ” is played by Barry Scott and the Good Samaritan is played by Chip Arnold. “I’m proud of how the Nashville theatre community has come together to present
STANDin every corner of Nashville. Our goal is to raise money to fight homelessness and addiction. The “JJ” Ellis foundation at Room In The Inn will receive a portion of every ticket sold,” Reyland said. “We also plan to raise awareness of the homeless problem through our nightly talk-back sessions after each performance, which will feature experts in the field.”
All general admission tickets to STANDat all theatres are $15 and available at ticketsnashville.com or at the venue the day of show. No other discounts are available.
“Because STAND will be presented in venues throughout Nashville, we are hoping that it will raise the consciousness of so many throughout our community by dramatizing the complexities and struggles faced by the homeless,” said Father Charles Strobel, founding director, Room In The Inn's Campus
About The Director and Cast:
DAVID COMPTON (Director) Recent professional credits include: Herr Zeller, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Doctor/Mr. Anagnos, THE MIRACLE WORKER (Studio Tenn), Cassius, JULIUS CAESAR (Nashville Shakespeare Festival), Oberon, ROBIN GOODFELLOW, Mr. Sir, HOLES (Nashville Children’s Theatre), Bernard Nightingale, ARCADIA, The Conjurer, MAGIC (Blackbird Theatre), Luther Flynn, SUPERIOR DONUTS, The Old Man, A CHRISTMAS STORY, Bob Ewell, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Moss, GLENGARRY GLENN ROSS (The REP), Duke, LONG WAY DOWN (3 P’s Productions). He was named Best Actor by the Nashville Scene “Best Of 2011” as well as recognized in the category of “Best Ensemble” for his work in Arcadia.
BARRY SCOTT (”JJ”) is recognized as one of the most versatile practitioners of his art. He is widely known for his successes as an actor, writer, producer, director, motivational speaker and voice over artist. Based in Nashville, Scott is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of the American Negro Playwright Theatre. He is also the Executive Producer of Bscott Productions as well as owner and
He has performed for the Tennessee Repertory Theatre in many productions including Fences, Macbeth, Othello, Taming of the Shrew, Blood Knot, Man of La Mancha, Camelot, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pirates of Penzance, Evita, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Big River.
Mr. Scott’s voice can be heard on commercials and PSA’s around the country. He has voiced work for ESPN (the National Football League - Regular Season Games, Playoff Games & the Super Bowl, The National Basketball Association - Regular Season Games, Playoff Games & the Championship Finals, Professional Baseball – Home Run Derby, the NHL, and the PGA), CBS, ABC, NBC, Disney, SPIKE TV – TNA Wrestling, The Discovery Channel, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, McDonalds, The American Heart Association and many more.
CHIP ARNOLD (Mark) Since 1970, Mr. Arnold has been a professional actor, writer, director, and producer in theatre, film, television, literature, and recordings.
His regional theatre credits include the roles of Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice,” Lloyd Dallas in “Noises Off,” John Dickinson in “1776,” Sir Edward Clarke in “Gross Indecency,” Governor Danforth in “The Crucible,” Gerardo Escobar in “Death and the Maiden,” Thomas Huxley in “Darwin in Malibu,” Stage Manager in “Our Town,” Robert in “Proof,” Lord Capulet in “Romeo and Juliet,” Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Joe Keller in “All My Sons” and Marchand in “La Belle et La Bete.” He was given the award for Best Actor by The Tennessean in 2011.
He co-wrote and produced the film “The Second Chance” starring Michael W. Smith for Sony/Triumph Films. He wrote the screenplay for the first authorized film documentary on evangelist Billy Graham, “God’s Ambassador.” He co-wrote and produced the documentary film KABUL24; narrated by Jim Caviesel; the compelling story of eight western hostages held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. He wrote 156 episodes of the children’s show “Backyard Time” produced and distributed by the United Methodist Publishing House. He co-produced and wrote the screenplay for “The Next Door,” a documentary short and winner of the Portraits of Compassion National Film Festival awarded by the White House Faith-based Community Initiative Project.
His novel, Hometown Favorite, (Revell) and his nonfiction book, KABUL24 (Thomas Nelson), are available wherever books and E-books are sold.
JIM REYLAND (Playwright)studied English at a small liberal arts college in North Carolina; hosted a national radio talk show and for the past twenty-five years has owned Audio Productions on Music Row. His writing career began with thirty-second commercials and evolved to longer form network radio shows for top country and pop artist like Garth, Vince, Reba, Hootie and Creed.
Jim’s playwrights’ portfolio includes the production of ‘Stuff,’ called by the Tennessean “Entertaining, fast-paced and emotionally fearless!” A musical with Addison Gore “21 Baker Road” voted best of Nashville. ‘Shelter’ produced by ANPT at TSU in 2006. ‘A Terrible Lie,’ “Reyland’s best script yet” The Scene. ‘Article IV’, ‘Further’ and ‘STAND,’ Jim’s twelfth play.
Mr. Reyland is currently developing a new musical; ‘I’ll Take the Crowd’ and a new comedy, ‘Used Cows for Sale.’ He is also a contributing theater writer for Nashville Arts Magazine.
To schedule an interview with Barry Scott, Chip Arnold, Jim Reyland, David Compton or Charles Strobel call 615-477-9931
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Martin Brady
Published November 18, 2010 Arts and Entertainment
A Terrible Lie, Nashville playwright Jim Reyland's latest work, might be his best so far. The credible scenario revolves around a personally conflicted writer desperate to publish his next book, his faithful wife and some of the residents of the retirement home where she works as a nurse. Any more plot details would venture into spoiler territory.
As always, Reyland displays a gift for dialogue, and he moves his audience seamlessly between the couple's apartment and the senior residence, weaving an interesting tale of human weakness and need exemplified by the differing priorities of youth and old age.
The cast, under the direction of Barry Scott, is uniformly excellent. Ross Bolen and Alice Raver deliver sharp, sensitive work in the leading roles, but it's particularly gratifying to experience the performances of longtime Nashville veteran Cecil Jones and Jeremy Childs, the latter on a local stage for the first time in recent memory. Childs is superb in a finely etched portrait of a man with an edge but also a conscience. Jones' wife, Jane Jones, also makes a return to live theater with a convincing and poignant portrayal of Raver's wheelchair-bound, Alzheimer's-afflicted mother. Equally good, only sassier, are Dorothy Robinson and Martha Manning as a pair of senior sisters of indefatigable spirit.
More so than his previous effort Article Four, Reyland's drama seems to have gained a lot through its monthlong workshop process leading up to the opening — not to mention that this script features more realistic characters and plot development, resulting in a more satisfying emotional experience.
