And Then There Was Fun(Review of “Something’s Afoot”)
“Trust me, you don’t need to be a fan of murder mysteries to enjoy this show. If you like comedy and some old-fashioned tunes, then you’ll like this show, too. But accept the challenge of trying to solve the mystery and you’ll find yourself most thoroughly engaged.”
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre presents “Something’s Afoot” (Performance)
Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon opened ‘Something’s Afoot’ last Friday, and if you’re a fan of musical murder mysteries, it’s a show you won’t want to miss! To whet your appetite, TODD DAVISON and co. are here with a performance of ‘I Owe It All’ at [2:45].
Paul Pepper: A performance from Maples Rep Theatre’s production of “The Bikinis”
Maples Repertory Theatre is taking you back to the summer of ’64 with ‘The Bikinis: A New Musical Beach Party’, opening next week inside The Royal Theatre in Macon, Mo.! Enjoy a performance of ‘The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)’ at [1:55] on today’s show.
A Lost and Troubled Soul(Review of “Hank Williams: Lost Highway”)
“Simply put, this is the finest show I’ve seen mounted at Maples Repertory since I first discovered this theatre. It’s brilliantly directed. It’s stellarly acted and sung.”
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre presents “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” (Performance)
If you don’t know much about the (short) life of country singer Hank Williams, TODD DAVISON says you will after you see ‘Hank Williams: Lost Highway’ at Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon starting tomorrow night! Actor MICHAEL PERRIE, JR. plays Hank Williams, and he’s here to perform two songs to wet your appetite: ‘Lovesick Blues’ at [2:23] and ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ at [6:26].
A Most Unwelcome Pest. Err. . .Guest(Review of “The Nerd”)
“Not only has [Peter] Reynolds guided his actors to superior performances, but he knows how to get his thespians to mobilize the frenetic words so that they not only sound funny, but believable, no matter how outrageous the situation. Reynolds also knows how to craft bits so funny with timing so smooth and coordinated that you’ll laugh until your ribs ache.
Tender Trash(Review of “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”)
“Brandon McShaffrey understands that and his actors are sterling with their larger than life, stereotyped performances. Any cliché that pops into your mind when you hear “trailer park” is found in this show and then some. McShaffrey gets his actors to lean into it with everything they’ve got and mixes it with their golden voices to serve up a rib-tickling good time.”
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre opens “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” (Performance)
Maples Repertory Theatre is kicking off their 2022 season with ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’, and we’ve got a sneak peek courtesy of TODD DAVISON and company! So, pull up a lawn chair, tap that keg and enjoy a performance of the rousing ballad ‘Flushed Down the Pipes’ (no, really) by actress SANDIA AHLERS.
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Repertory Theatre, “2022 Season Preview”
The start of the 2022 season at Maples Repertory Theatre is right around the corner! Artistic director TODD DAVISON is here with a preview of each of the upcoming six shows, including ‘The Nerd’, ‘Hank Williams: Lost Highway’ and ‘Something’s Afoot’! March 11, 2022
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre Presents “‘Tis the Season” (Performance)
Sure, it’s Thanksgiving eve, but we just couldn’t wait any longer: bring on the Christmas music! Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon gets your season started early with a sneak peek of their holiday musical showcase called ‘Tis the Season’! Songs: ‘Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow’ at [1:12]; ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ at [3:20]; and ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ at [7:29]. November 24, 2021
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre Opens “Ripcord”
BRIDGET GRACE SHEAFF joins us from Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon to tell us about Ripcord, a “very charming and very funny” show that opens this Wednesday and runs for two weeks! (4:16)
Tom Wilmer: Savoring fun-time wine and live repertory theatre in Macon, Missouri
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre Presents “Church Basement Ladies: You Smell Barn”
The seventh (7th!) iteration of the popular ‘Church Basement Ladies’ series arrives at Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon next Wednesday night. Artistic director TODD DAVISON tells us how the ‘Ladies’ manage to keep the laughs – and the music – coming after all these years! (4:07) September 23, 2021
Enjoy a Unique Experience at Maples Rep: Bill Clark
See what the critics had to say about Maples Rep’s production of Annie summer of 2021!
Performance Camp Comes to Hannibal
Our Theatre Education team brought live theatre camps around MO this summer. This particular camp was held for one week outdoors in Hannibal. The camp was designed for children 8-18, and every student had a part to play. They learned a full musical and performed it for friends and family in only five days.
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre Presents: “Annie”
Plenty of smiles on our set today as we bring you a performance of ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile’ from Maples Repertory Theatre’s production of ‘Annie’. ANDREW SCOGGIN, as Bert Healey, sings that 90-second ear worm at [3:33] accompanied by KEVIN CASEY on piano. Artistic director TODD DAVISON is also here because, well, he’s the boss. Show opens next Friday. July 7, 2021
For Adolts Only (Review of “Greater Tuna”)
“This is pure escapist comedy which will make you forget about life for a while and provide the healing magic of laughter. Take a night to lose yourself in humor.
Paul Pepper: Todd, Davison, Maples Rep Theatre, “I Love a Piano”
To borrow from a certain song in the musical Gypsy: Curtain up! Light the lights! Because everything’s coming up roses for Maples Rep Theatre in Macon! That’s right, for the first time since late 2019, the historic Royal Theatre will once again be a home for professional theatre. The first show, ‘I Love a Piano’, opens June 16. June 4, 2021
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Rep Theatre, “Auditions for ‘Annie'”
Maples Rep Theatre is back! Artistic director TODD DAVISON tells us how he and his team at the Royal Theatre in Macon are making sure that the curtain goes up on the 2021 season. Plus, get details on ‘Annie’ auditions and an upcoming fundraiser for the boots and black tie-wearing member of your family! April 19, 2021
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Rep Theatre, “2021 Season Preview”
Fingers crossed that this year TODD DAVISON and his team at Maples Repertory Theatre will be able to put on their full season as planned, unlike last year when the pandemic kept the stage at the historic Royal Theatre in Macon dark. Find out what shows they’re planning to do and get details on their latest fundraiser, ‘Chair-ity’. February 3, 2021
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Repertory Theatre, “No-Show Season”
Well, it’s come to this: the Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon will not be putting on a show in the year 2020. Blame you-know-what. A “discouraged” TODD DAVISON instead uses this time to look ahead to 2021. October 22, 2020
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Repertory Theatre, “A Summer Season Gone Bust”
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on a lot of things this year, including live theatre, and Maples Repertory Theatre in Macon is no exception. That said, artistic director TODD DAVISON is holding out hope that their production of ‘Greater Tuna’ and ‘I Love a Piano’ will go on as scheduled this fall. Find out what it’ll take to pull it off! August 18, 2020
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Repertory Theatre, “2020 Season Preview”
If you didn’t see ‘The Full Monty’ last summer at Maples Rep Theatre in Macon, artistic director TODD DAVISON says you missed a “landmark” production. He and the team are hoping to capture the same level of energy this year with shows like ‘Greater Tuna’ and ‘Menopause The Musical’! January 2, 2020
Paul Pepper: Maples Rep Theatre presents “Every Xmas Story Ever Told”
TODD DAVISON and BRANCE CORNELIUS invite everyone to make the short drive to Macon to see ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)’, running December 4-15! The audience is just as much a part of the direction of the show as is the script (or lack thereof). (3:34) December 3, 2019
Paul Pepper: Maples Rep Theatre presents “Death Trap”
In the mood for a little suspense? A little mystery, perhaps? If so, make the short drive to Macon and see Maples Repertory Theatre’s production of Death Trap – the longest running comedy-thriller in New York history! Guest: TODD DAVISON October 22, 2019
Paul Pepper: Maples Rep Theatre presents “Church Basement Ladies in Rise Up, O Men”
So what makes this, the sixth installment in the ‘Church Basement Ladies’ series, different from the others? Maples Rep Theatre artistic director TODD DAVISON says because “this is the first time we get to be introduced to the men of the church.” Watch the cast perform “Roger’s Sales Pitch” at [2:46]. September 23, 2019
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Repertory Theatre, “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”
Maples Repertory Theatre artistic director TODD DAVISON says ‘Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story’ is a “really, really lovely story about the music.” Opening night is this Friday in Macon! July 15, 2019
Paul Pepper: Maples Repertory Theatre presents “The Full Monty”
TODD DAVISON and the cast of ‘The Full Monty’ perform ‘Let It Go’ [3:33] from the popular musical about out-of-work steel workers looking to make ends meet by stripping. This Wednesday’s opening night performance is for the ladies only! June 10, 2019
Paul Pepper: Maples Rep Theatre 2019 Season Overview
“They have 90 seconds to say whatever they want, do whatever they want…” — TODD DAVISON on the early audition process of some 800 actors and technicians ahead of the summer season. And speaking of the summer season, Maples Rep Theatre kicks theirs off with ‘The Full Monty’ June 12th. February 12, 2019
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison – Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas. They’re back!
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Rep Theatre, “On Golden Pond”
“On Golden Pond” Opening at Maples Repertory Theatre
36 local things to do this October
Paul Pepper: Todd Davison, Maples Rep Theatre, “Fall Season Shows”
The CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES Are Back and Ready To Save Christmas in AWAY IN A BASEMENT: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas
ON GOLDEN POND – a coming of age tale, both young and old – opens at Maples Rep
The fifteenth season of live professional plays at Maples Repertory Theatre continues with Ernest Thompson’s American classic, ON GOLDEN POND, October 24 – November 4…
DEARLY DEPARTED, this fall’s funniest funeral, opens SEPTEMBER 26 at Maples Rep
Funerals can be funny! That is funerals that do not involve our own “dearly departed.” For an evening of carefree laughter and no tears, you must see the Maples Rep production of DEARLY DEPARTED…
Cheyenne Nelson to Appear in a One-Night-Only Benefit Concert at the Historic Royal Theatre
Maples Repertory Theatre in downtown Macon is excited to welcome back Cheyenne Nelson to the Royal Theatre for a special night of music and fun, Saturday, September 22, 2018.
Express Eight: Q&A with Cheyenne Nelson
Paul Pepper: Maples Rep Theatre, “The Drowsy Chaperone” (Performance)
Express Eight: Q&A with Trevor Belt
Familial Follies
Maples Repertory Theatre to present ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’
Thank You for the Music. . .and the Singing. . .and the Dancing. . .and the Fun