Brentwood Library Art Gallery
Each month, The Friends of the Brentwood Library (FOBL)host the work of local artists at the John P. Holt Brentwood Library. The exhibits remain up for the entire month, and the public is invited to view the artists’ work during library hours, free of charge. Exhibits are displayed in two areas: hanging work is displayed on the Gallery Wall, while the Showcase Display is for more three-dimensional work.
The October Gallery will feature the paintings of Lisa Stewart, while the October Showcases will display pieces by Roula Kowatli.
October Gallery Artist: Lisa Stewart
Lisa Stewart is our gallery artist for the month of October. She studied in nearly every medium before settling primarily on acrylic and mixed medium. Lisa studied painting and sculpture in Barcelona and Florence before moving to Brentwood where she has continued to explore her talent and exhibit her work. She has more recently volunteered at Room in the Inn’s Campus for Human Development teaching art to the homeless.
October Showcase Artist: Roula Kowatli
Roula Kowatli is our showcase artist for October. Roula paints in acrylic and watercolor in the impressionist style. Her work combines the emotions, memories and nostalgia she feels for her home country, Syria. When she paints, she looks for inspiration both in nature and in family spaces. She received a Bachelor of Art in Interior Design from Damascus University, and attended postgraduate classes in children’s book illustration at Heron School of Arts in Indiana after coming to the United States.
If you are an artist interested in exhibiting at The John P. Holt Brentwood Library, please contact the Friends of Brentwood Library Art Chair, Jeannine Owens, at brentwoodfriends@gmail.com. The John P. Holt Brentwood Library is located at 8109 Concord Road.
TPAC Brings "Once on this Island" to Nashville
Winner of the 2018 Best Revival of a Musical, Once on This Island will begin its national tour in Nashville with a week-long engagement October 15-20 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall. Written by the Tony Award-winning team Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), Once on This Island is based on the novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy. This production features new orchestrations by original orchestrator Michael Starobin, who is joined by AnnMarie Milazzo. Once on This Island is the sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. This new production is led by two-time Tony Award-nominated director Michael Arden (“Spring Awakening” revival) and acclaimed choreographer Camille A. Brown (NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live”). The creative team also includes Dane Laffrey (scenic designer), Clint Ramos (costume designer), Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting designers), Peter Hylenski (sound designer), John Bertles/Bash the Trash (unusual instruments), Cookie Jordan (hair/wig and makeup designer), Chris Fenwick (music supervisor), Alvin Hough, Jr. (music director), David Perlow (associate director), Nikki M. James (assistant director), Rickey Tripp(associate choreographer) and Telsey + Co / Craig Burns, CSA (casting agent).
Once on This Island premiered at Playwrights Horizons in May 1990. The Broadway production opened in October of that year garnering eight Tony nominations including Best Featured Actress (LaChanze), Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical and Best Musical. The 1994 West End production won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The revival opened in December 2017 at Circle in the Square Theatre and would go on to earn nine Tony nominations, winning Best Revival of a Musical. The touring production of the Tony-winning revival was built, developed and launched at The Carson Center in Paducah, Kentucky.
Arden received his first Tony nomination for his revival of “Spring Awakening.” The acclaimed Deaf West production premiered in Los Angeles and transferred to Broadway. He also won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for the production. Michael made his Broadway debut in Deaf West Theatre and the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Big River.” Other directing credits include “My Fair Lady” at Bay Street Theater, “Merrily We Roll Along” at the Wallis Annenberg Center in Los Angeles (where he is currently the Artist in Residence), “LA Ronde” for his company, The Forest of Arden and “For the Record: John Hughes” in LA and NYC. His production of “The Pride” opened at the Wallis Annenberg Center in June 2017. Other theater credits include “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “The Times They Are A Changin',” “Ragtime” (Avery Fisher), “It’s Only Life,” “Swimming in the Shallows,” “Ace,” “Juno,” “As You Like It,” “The Winter’s Tale,” “The Secret Garden,” “Pippin” (Mark Taper Forum), and “Aspects of Love” at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London. Arden’s film work includes “Source Code,” “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” “Bride Wars” and “So B It.” He also has worked extensively in TV, most notably on FX and Fox’s “Anger Management.” Other TV credits include “GCB,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Royal Pains,” “Unforgettable,” “Off the Map,” “Kings,” “The Closer,” “The Forgotten,” “Bones,” “The Return of Jezebel James,” “Cashmere Mafia,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “NUMB3RS.” Concert work includes singing with Barbra Streisand, Chris Botti and performances at 54 BELOW, Feinstein’s at the Regency and Joe’s Pub. Arden is an alum of The Interlochen Arts Academy and The Juilliard School.
Tickets are available at TPAC.org, by phone at 615.782.4040 and at the TPAC Box Office, 505 Deaderick Street.
For more information, visit onceonthisisland.com, or find the show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
