A! Magazine for the Arts Archive

Tricia Matthews examines the nature of celebrity

When Rick Rose offered Tricia Matthews the opportunity to direct "Chicago" at Barter Theatre, the first thing she did was research.

In This Issue

• "Chicago" is dream come true for actresses When Ashley Campos (Velma) found out that Barter Theatre was doing "Chicago," she burst into tears. Sarah Laughland (Roxie) wasn't far behind her. "Chicago" had been on their bucket lists for years.
• Derek Smith creates the world for "Chicago's' actors Derek Smith, resident set designer at Barter Theatre starts out with a concept. By the time he's through, he's built a world on the stage — a world that comes apart, so it can be moved on and off the stage.
• Aldridge creates the movement for "Chicago' It's takes a lot of courage to reimagine the choreography of a musical that you've loved your entire life that was originally created by someone you admire. That's the task that Amanda Aldridge, Barter Theatre's resident choreographer, faces.
• New Barter Theatre prices offer increased accessibility In late April of this year, Barter Theatre announced a new $20 ticket price in an effort to continue its legacy of offering accessibility to world-class theater.
• Rhythm & Roots Reunion fills Bristol with music The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is Sept. 16-18 throughout downtown Bristol. The festival stretches through the 400 through 800 blocks of State Street and extends into Cumberland Square Park. The festival gates open at 1 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m., Saturday;
• Bristol church's Art Series opens with concert by soprano Parrish On Sunday, Sept. 11, at 3 p.m., the First Presbyterian Church of Bristol, Tennessee, opens its 2016-17 Arts Series with a concert by soprano Cheryl Parrish, accompanied by Vicki Fey at the piano.
• September brings stellar lineup to International Storytelling Center Storytelling Live!, the International Storytelling Center's celebrated teller-in-residence series, continues its season in September.
• Arts Array September films are eclectic Virginia Highlands Community College continues the Fall 2016 Arts Array Film Series in September.
• ETSU faculty and staff assist with "On Top of Old Smoky' The Great Smoky Mountains Association released a third album of traditional American music in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• ETSU professor's work appears in two magazines East Tennessee State University's Lindsay Rogers has had her work featured in two magazines this summer.
• Arts for Youth Spotlight Noah Johnson says that acting is everything to him. "I want to do it for the rest of my life. I love to take audiences on a journey through a story."
• Johnson City resident's newest book released Johnson City resident Elizabeth B. Brown's fifth book was released recently.

A! Extra

• Fans, organizers proclaim R&R Reunion keeps getting better than year before Despite cloud cover and rain on Sunday, large crowds filled downtown Bristol for the last day of the 16th annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
• Contreras-Koterbay instrumental in establishing American Museum of Philippine Art East Tennessee State University's Karlota Contreras-Koterbay is playing a leading role in establishing a new museum in California that will showcase the art of her people.
• Next year's Reunion already in the works as city crews finalize clean up Downtown streets are open, the stages are all gone and the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is packed away for another year, but bleary-eyed organizers are already looking toward 2017.
• BRRR performer Liz Vice combines faith and voice into her "calling to love' Liz Vice sings as if she were born with the light of the Lord.
• Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, The Band Perry highlight all-star Tailgate Party Country music superstar Kenny Chesney rocked Bristol Motor Speedway Friday night during an all-star Tailgate Party in advance of tonight's Battle at Bristol football game.
• When the Superstar was a Nobody BRISTOL, Tenn. – More than 50,000 people will witness Kenny Chesney's long-awaited return to the Tri-Cities on Friday night.
• Everyone knows "Rocky Top' Sonny Osborne struck a few hard driving notes on his banjo. The band kicked in like dive bombers and attacked. Seconds later, Bobby Osborne opened his mouth to sing as high as the clouds.
• Blues great Buddy Guy steps up as headliner Behold the rising sun that's set to shine on the Birthplace of Country Music.
• New directions ahead for The Band Perry Presenting pop music's comeback kids, Greeneville's The Band Perry. Today, they're stars. However, neither an album nor hit had registered for The Band Perry six years ago this month.
• Appalachian reggae a bond of cultures North Carolina birthed Alan Childres. Jamaica fathered Ras Alan.
• Play focuses on Christian faith and courage A single mother and her four kids recently relocated to the Midwest. They're not exactly welcomed to Tornado Alley.
• Janis Joplin: Three years and a lifetime of music ABINGDON, Va. — Janis Joplin last performed on Aug. 12, 1970. Two months later, the rock zenith died alone in a motel room on Oct. 4, 1970.
• When the superstar was a ... Nobody BRISTOL, Tenn. – More than 50,000 people will witness Kenny Chesney's long-awaited return to the Tri-Cities on Friday night.
• A toon of her own: Alyssa Davidson, sixth-grader and a published cartoonist SALTVILLE, Va. — Eleven-year-old Alyssa Davidson has always been drawn to art.
• "The Sessions' trilogy prove Appalachia is not a one-note culture JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Neither the Carter Family nor Howard Armstrong will literally return from the dead anytime soon.