Clayton Center for the Arts closes out 2012-2013 season with Broadway’s Next Hit Musical April 6

On April 6, the Clayton Center for the Arts will bring back Dinner Theatre to the Grand Foyer with Broadway’s Next Hit Musical. A buffet dinner will be provided by Maryville catering company First Fruits at 6:30 pm with the show at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $75 for dinner and the show and may be purchased by calling 865-981-8590 or at www.claytonartscenter.com.

After the success of “An Evening with Groucho” the first season, Executive Director Robert Hutchens knew he wanted to have dinner theatre again. “Someone suggested I look at Broadway’s Next Hit Musical and the premise seemed perfect for a dinner theatre. The cast interacts with the audience, which suggests a more intimate gathering, which the dinner theatre will be.” The concept is that these master improvisers gather made up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, humor and song. During the first act, the actors come up with songs from titles suggested by the audience. The audience votes for their favorite song and the cast turn it into a full-blown improvised musical for the second act. Audience members can go to www.broadwaysnexthitmusical.com after June 1, 2013 and vote for their song to receive a “Phony Award”. The favorite song from the Clayton Center show will compete with songs such as “Lincoln was no Saint,” “Back Woods Huntin’," and “Outa My Yard Mister”.

The performance will close the Clayton Centers third season. “We have had a successful season and have provided our audiences with theatre, music and laughter. We are finalizing next season and look forward to announcing it soon,” says Hutchens.

The Clayton Center for the Arts, located on the Maryville College campus and constructed through a unique partnership between the College and the cities of Maryville and Alcoa, is East Tennessee’s newest venue for arts and entertainment.

The 1,200-seat Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre features dance, theatre, concerts, lectures and other events. The 250-seat Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall hosts a wide variety of musicians and performers. The 200-seat Haslam Family Flexible Theatre is capable of supporting theatrical performances from amateur and professional companies. Three art galleries display collections and works of art from Appalachia and beyond.

Published March 26, 2013