Backdoor Playhouse
The Season
TN Tech’s English Department presents the Tech Players’
Sixty-eighth season in the Backdoor Playhouse.
Ticket Information | Our Event Calendar
Autumn 2022
CRAWLSPACE: A TRUE-CRIME
MUSICAL THRILLER
Book and Lyrics by Jason Spraggins, Music by Matt Glickstein
Directed by Mark Harry Creter
Music Direction by Mendy Richards
November 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.
November 10, 2022 at 10:00 p.m.
November 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
The Story:
Crawlspace is based on the story of a convicted serial killer. Although inspired by his own words and the public record of his life and crimes, this is a work of historical fiction. Certain names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. Fictional characters have been added, and liberties have been taken that differentiate this work from the true-life events. The musical is a theatrical re-imagining of the story and horror of the case and those who suffered in its wake.
TRIGGER WARNING: The content of this production may be emotionally challenging and potentially traumatizing. It includes depictions and themes that are highly sensitive in nature, including:• Sexual assault
• Abuse
• Mentions of Suicide
• Violence
• Kidnapping and abduction
• Death or dying
• Blood
• Mental illness
• Torture
• Homophobia, including slurs.
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Winter 2023
Winterfest!
3 One-Act Plays, 3 Student Directors!
The Candidate by Brent Holland, Directed by Chloe White
Check Please by Jonathan Rand, Directed by Ashley Hale
10 Ways to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse by Don Zolidis,
Directed by Aaron Ramsey
Performances will take place February 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 18, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Matinee: February 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
Late Show: February 16, 2023 at 10:00 pm.
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Spring 2023
Ken Ludwig's Leading Ladies
Directed by Mark Harry Creter
April 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Late Show: April 20, 2023 at 10:00 pm
Matinee: April 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
SUMMARY
In this hilarious comedy by the author of Lend Me A Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo, two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in York, PA is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces! Romantic entanglements abound, especially when Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with the old lady's vivacious niece, Meg, who's engaged to the local minister. Meg knows that there's a wide world out there, but it's not until she meets "Maxine and Stephanie" that she finally gets a taste of it.
Other Events Around Town:
COOKEVILLE THEATRE SEASON
Spring 2023
Cookeville Performing Arts Center-Backstage Series presents
The Marriage Play by Edward Albee.
Directed by Jennifer Williams.
January 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 2023 at 7:30pm.
January 22, 2023 at 2:00pm.
Tickets are $15 adult, $12 seniors, $10 student.
Box office at 528-1313 or visit their homepage, www.cookeville-tn.gov.
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Cookeville Performing Arts Center-Backstage Series presents
Small Box With a Revolver by Dustin Hageland.
Directed by Matt Wilson.
February 24, 25, 28, and March 2, 3, 4, 2023 at 7:30pm.
February 26, 2023 at 2:00pm.
For further information call the Performing Arts Center box office at 528-1313
or visit their homepage, www.cookeville-tn.gov.
Archives:
Autumn 2021
THE FANTASTICKS
Book & Lyrics by Tom Jones, Music by Harvey Schmidt
Directed by Mark Harry Creter
Music Direction by Mendy Richards
November 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.
November 11, 2021 at 10:00 p.m.
November 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
THE STORY:
There's always time to remember this romantic fable about a boy, a girl, their two parents and a love that grows with each season. "Try To Remember" a time when this romantic charmer wasn't enchanting audiences around the world. The Fantasticks is the longest-running musical in the world and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. The result is a timeless fable of love that manages to be nostalgic and universal at the same time.
Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
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Winter 2022.
The Wolves
by Sarah DeLappe
Directed by Joe Clark
February 3, 4, 5, 7, 8. 11, 12, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.
February 10, 2022 at 10:00 p.m.
February 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
THE STORY:
The Wolves is a 2016 play by Sarah DeLappe. It premiered Off-Broadway at The Duke at 42nd Street in September 2016 and centers on the experiences of high school girls through their weekly Saturday morning pre-game soccer warmups. The play was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“A delightful meditation on society, sex, and soccer.” – The Village Voice
Produced by special arrangement with Concord Publishing/Samuel French, Inc.
Produced in cooperation with Samuel French, Inc.
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Spring 2022.
The 32nd Annual Dorothy Printz Pennebaker Memorial Spring Production.
AIRNESS
By Chelsea Marcantel
Directed by Mark Harry Creter
March 31, April 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 2022 at 8:00 p.m.
April 7, 2022 at 10:00 p.m.
April 9, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
THE STORY:
“To shred or be shredded? That is the question.” Airness is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us. A comedy about competition, completion, and finding the airness inside yourself.
“If you’ve ever had a passion the rest of the world looked down upon, Airness will have you cheering, booing, and jumping out of seat…”
-John Bavoso, DC Theatre Scene
Produced by Special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
(www.playscripts.com)
