THE SOB PLAYERS: Putting the 'laughter' back in 'manslaughter'
The South of Broadway Players is a new community theatre group performing dinner theatre, radio shows, comedy, drama, and musicals smack dab in the heart of Tennessee. The group, calling themselves the "SOBs", have set a high bar in their first six months of existence. Accomplishments include:
- October, 2011: In our first 2.5 months, we established our group, had a play search committee, found and obtained rights to a play, and had a profitable six run murder mystery at two venues in Shelbyville and Normandy, Tennessee. Actual comments from customers: "I laughed so hard I literally peed my pants!", "You guys were fantastic!", "You put the 'laughter' back in 'manslaughter'!", "...awesome time...highly recommend...hilarious..."
- December, 2011: By December, we had written our own adaptation of a Christmas classic and had a profitable four-show run of "WSOB Radio Presents: It's a Wonderful Life!" in our third venue. Six actors played over forty different roles and did their own sound effects! In an effort to help the community during the holidays and tight financial times...we bought tickets and meals for some customers who might not have been able to afford the "dinner and a show". Customer comment: "You took me back to a time...sitting on the floor, leaning against my father's leg, listening to the old radio broadcasts. It seemed like I could smell his cologne. Thank you so much!"
- March, 2012: By the end of our sixth month, we had written, casted, and performed our own original play, "A Fistful of Wool", a comedy-western-murder mystery dinner theatre! We had three sellout performances with many patrons returning to see the show a second time. Customer comments included: "genius", "wonderful", "great", "perfect", and "I would have driven to Atlanta to see it!"
- Mar 18, 2012: We had our first Benefit Show for Alex Rodriguez, a 12-year-old boy with cancer. All proceeds from the show (ticket sales and actor tips) went to Alex. THIS is what community theatre is all about...giving back to the community!
- End of March, 2012: By the end of our first six months, we had placed twenty-two (22) different people performing on stage, giving opportunities that would not have been available to many. In addition to those 22 on stage, others have been trained in back-stage support (stage manager, sound, lighting, set design, vocal directing, artistic director, technical director, marketing, advertising, venue facilitation, and the list goes on and on)! Hundreds have come to see us perform...and we are building a living, breathing community theatre!
By the end of our first full year, we plan to have put on a minimum of three ORIGINAL shows, a library program for wee children, a musical review, a presentation on community history, at least two benefits for people of need in our community, and multiple other opportunities bringing the Arts to our community! Why spend $25 in gas going to and from Nashville, then eating out there, and going to see a show there...when you can see quality, unique, original theatre of the Arts right here in Shelbyville for 1/10th of the price and invest your money in our own community? BUT...if you live in Murfreesboro or Nashville, and you are tired of the huge venues and same ol' same ol' shows, come out to the quaint burrough of Shelbyville and see intimate, original theatre. You may even get a chance to "star" in one of our shows...if you are the audience member selected that night!
The group has grown from the original seven to, at last count, approximately 60 members. Many of these members are working on original pieces for upcoming performances. Reservations for shows can be made by contacting the SOBs at 931-247-3481.
- October, 2011: In our first 2.5 months, we established our group, had a play search committee, found and obtained rights to a play, and had a profitable six run murder mystery at two venues in Shelbyville and Normandy, Tennessee. Actual comments from customers: "I laughed so hard I literally peed my pants!", "You guys were fantastic!", "You put the 'laughter' back in 'manslaughter'!", "...awesome time...highly recommend...hilarious..."
- December, 2011: By December, we had written our own adaptation of a Christmas classic and had a profitable four-show run of "WSOB Radio Presents: It's a Wonderful Life!" in our third venue. Six actors played over forty different roles and did their own sound effects! In an effort to help the community during the holidays and tight financial times...we bought tickets and meals for some customers who might not have been able to afford the "dinner and a show". Customer comment: "You took me back to a time...sitting on the floor, leaning against my father's leg, listening to the old radio broadcasts. It seemed like I could smell his cologne. Thank you so much!"
- March, 2012: By the end of our sixth month, we had written, casted, and performed our own original play, "A Fistful of Wool", a comedy-western-murder mystery dinner theatre! We had three sellout performances with many patrons returning to see the show a second time. Customer comments included: "genius", "wonderful", "great", "perfect", and "I would have driven to Atlanta to see it!"
- Mar 18, 2012: We had our first Benefit Show for Alex Rodriguez, a 12-year-old boy with cancer. All proceeds from the show (ticket sales and actor tips) went to Alex. THIS is what community theatre is all about...giving back to the community!
- End of March, 2012: By the end of our first six months, we had placed twenty-two (22) different people performing on stage, giving opportunities that would not have been available to many. In addition to those 22 on stage, others have been trained in back-stage support (stage manager, sound, lighting, set design, vocal directing, artistic director, technical director, marketing, advertising, venue facilitation, and the list goes on and on)! Hundreds have come to see us perform...and we are building a living, breathing community theatre!
By the end of our first full year, we plan to have put on a minimum of three ORIGINAL shows, a library program for wee children, a musical review, a presentation on community history, at least two benefits for people of need in our community, and multiple other opportunities bringing the Arts to our community! Why spend $25 in gas going to and from Nashville, then eating out there, and going to see a show there...when you can see quality, unique, original theatre of the Arts right here in Shelbyville for 1/10th of the price and invest your money in our own community? BUT...if you live in Murfreesboro or Nashville, and you are tired of the huge venues and same ol' same ol' shows, come out to the quaint burrough of Shelbyville and see intimate, original theatre. You may even get a chance to "star" in one of our shows...if you are the audience member selected that night!
The group has grown from the original seven to, at last count, approximately 60 members. Many of these members are working on original pieces for upcoming performances. Reservations for shows can be made by contacting the SOBs at 931-247-3481.
