“Reclusive millionaire Jonathan Forty wants to give away his fortune. Faith Lockhart is willing to pay the price.”
Playwright Jim Reyland, “ARTICLE 4: has a healthy amount of the seven deadly sins, but amongst the chaos lies virtue and forgiveness. Lives are spinning out of control, and while some will crash, others are saved in a most unexpected way.”
April 2009, Writer’s Stage produced readings of two new plays by Jim Reyland. The promising FURTHER THAN WE'VE EVER BEEN and ARTICLE 4: The idea was to determine which play was ready to be taken to the all important workshop level.
Writer’s Stage presents the workshop of ARTICLE 4: by Jim Reyland Directed by Barry Scott Featuring: Mark Cabus, Jamie Farmer, Ted Welch and Greg Wilson – November 4th – 14th 2009 on Writer’s Stage
First the writers must stare down the blank page and muster the gumption to plug in a title followed with --by “me.” What makes them think they can write a hundred pages of magic? Compose artful songs and walk with giants like Webber and Sondhiem and those Tuna Christmas guys? How will they survive all night writing sessions at Waffle House, pouring out their congested hearts only to have a daughter say, ‘I’m not going to lie Dad, that’s not too good?’ Their days become weeks and months; years go by as they agonize over the next logical step when they know full well there may not be one. But one shining day, it finally starts to take shape, a beginning, middle and a tragically unsatisfying ending. They’re done, for now. So they go to Kinko’s on three cent copy day and make a few dozen to send to the theatrical gatekeepers listed in the book they bought at Barnes and Noble, the 2008 edition and wait. Surely there will be calls at home in the middle of the night wanting them to fly to NYC for high-level talks about their Tony acceptance speech. Certainly they will collect an impressive stack of love letters from theaters and admiring artists from across the theatrical world. No. Actually they collect a massive pile of rejection letters from literary intern assistants who were born in the nineties, regurgitating drama speak they heard at a seminar. But they’re not bitter. They hang onto a fragile hope until they finally come to the realization that everybody but them thinks their baby is ugly. Is this a reason to quit? Heck no! Because if they’ve learned anything, it’s that success is two parts talent and ten parts wanting it more. So they get mad! They know their musical is good because they’ve come in second in some major national contests. Those in the know would love to produce their project right after they do their own. The indicators are present. What are a couple of scribes to do? Get some actor/musician friends together at the Troutt Theater and read and sing the piece for the whole world to hear? Great idea! Make the case that what they’ve created is special and those who love and support the arts will want to help move it forward. Then go immediately to Waffle House for some eggs and a double helping of rewrites.
Now that you know what we’ve been through we hope you’ll support a future production of 21 Baker Road. Writer’s Stage is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) and contributions may be tax deductible.
21 Baker Road - A New Musical
The full workshop production of "21 BAKER ROAD" by Jim Reyland and Addison Gore
“It's All About Balance”
“Charlie Brigade falls from the only thing he’s ever loved, his house. He wakes up somewhere between here and there; and while his family lives on in triumph and tragedy, all Charlie can do is watch and learn and try and save himself.”
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STUFF - TWO GREAT ARTISTS - ONE NEW STAGE
TWO GREAT ARTISTS - ONE NEW STAGE
BARRY SCOTT MATTHEW CARLTON STAR IN, “STUFF”
Nashville, TN, October 13th, 2008— it’s the greatest pairing of talent on a single stage in ten years. The Nashville Tennessean called the 1999 workshop of STUFF by Jim Reyland “....entertaining, fast paced and emotionally fearless. Reyland has a real play on his hands.”
Ten years later, Writer’s Stage reunites Barry Scott and Matthew Carlton for the long awaited world premiere of STUFF at its temporary new home in a converted warehouse at 1008 Charlotte Ave. December 4-20 at 7:30pm, Sunday matinee at 2:00pm December 14th at Writer’s Stage, 1008 Charlotte Avenue next to Five Star Chrysler Plymouth.
“Friends of ours, Steve Armistead and Bill Barkley have donated a warehouse on Charlotte Ave. for this production. It’s perfect in that the play takes place in an old warehouse filled with STUFF,” says Reyland.
Barry Scott is one of Nashville’s most enduring artists. As a writer, director and actor, Barry has created hundreds of memorable roles including ”Ain’t Got long,” based on the life and contributions of Martin Luther King. Barry is also Artistic Director of The American Negro Playwright Theatre and will produce and hold student workshops at the new Charlotte Ave. location in 2009.
Matthew Carlton's career spans three decades, appearing in over 80 professional stage productions, ranging from musical- comedy to Shakespeare. His diverse film and television roles run the gamut from Masterpiece Theatre to America's Most Wanted.. He has received First Night and Tennie awards and was named Best Actor by the Nashville Scene.
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Stuff Flyer
New Works Reading Event
New Works Reading Event
Writer’s Stage, in partnership with Tennessee Repertory Theatre, presents a NewWorks Reading Series event.
Two nights, two new plays by Jim Reyland, FURTHER THAN WE’VE EVER BEEN will be read on Friday night the 24th of April at 7:30pm and ARTICLE IV on Saturday night the 25th of April at 7:30pm. Both readings are free and will be held at the Writer’s Stage Theatre, 1008 Charlotte Ave near downtown; parking at the Chrysler dealership next door.
Nashville Veterans Barry Scott, Brian Webb Russell, Jim Reyland, Matthew Carlton and Jaclyn Johnson will join the ensemble cast and read both plays.
BARRY SCOTT
