JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

Performances May 8 - 24 Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

The Hallelujah Girls Brings Reunions and Regional Flair to JRT

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre was proud to house the Tennessee premiere of The Hallelujah Girls. Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten write the southern-style comedy and are based out of Asheville, NC. The three writers also penned local favorites Dearly Beloved, Christmas Belles, JCCT’s upcoming Southern Hospitality and The Dixie Swim Club the last of which also made its Tennessee debut at JRT. The play was directed by J. J. Jeffers and will run for three weekend performances, May 8 through 24. Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m.

The Hallelujah Girls tells the story of five southern women who transform a run down church into the "Spa-Dee-Dah Day Spa." The comedy takes place over the span of a year, allowing the girls to get in and back out of trouble.

"The theme of the show is moving on with life, even after you may think you are over the hill," says Jeffers, "it is never too late to achieve your dreams and to move forward. This is one of the principle themes of the play. Through friendship these women learn how to achieve their dreams."

The production of the play reunited a real life friendship between Jeffers and Virginia Mattie who plays Sugar Lee, the owner of "Spa-Dee-Dah."

"I used to work with J.J. years ago in high school acting competitions," said Mattie. "We were in Babes in Toyland together, he was seven and I played his governess."

Mattie recently moved back to Jonesborough after 25 years traveling overseas. She came and auditioned after receiving a call from Kathleen Buttolph, JRT’s Artistic Director.

"I didn’t know J. J. was directing. I walked through the door and J. J. and I had our own reunion," said Mattie. "Reuniting with J. J. has been the best…. providence. I think it’s more than coincidence."

A common appreciation and love for the writer’s work is also something the cast and crew have in common. Housing the Tennessee premiere of the play has allowed for collaboration between the writers and the cast.

"We were able to have a conference call between the writers and the cast," says Jeffers. "The cast was able to talk to the writers one on one and ask questions about their characters. Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten have been very supportive. This is such unique and special opportunity for community theatre."

The cast of eight, six women and two men, worked together to bring the piece to life.

"I love working with an ensemble, and it is great when you have a group that is interdependent together," says Susan Lachmann, who plays Nita. "It is like working 3-D, you are in it, doing it, and moving around in it. I love it because it is so multi-dimensional."

The ensemble cast included Joe Borden, Susan Lachmann, Kim Latimer, Nancy Lisic, Vicky Livesay, Virginia Mattie, Elaine Murray, Sharon Ramsey Salyers, Katy Rosolowski, and Tom Sizemore. The lighting design was by Pamela Adolphi.