Theater
Rhubarb Theatre director Julie Alexander is in rehearsal for The Viewing, a new play by hit songwriter Rand Bishop (“My List”). Bishop’s first foray into writing for the stage received a formal reading in Nashville last fall. Marc Mazzone and Holly Butler star. The show opens Sept. 21.... ACT I opens Paul Osborn’s Mornings at Seven at the Darkhorse Theater on Sept. 8. Michael Roark directs.... Bill Feehely is set to direct Actors Bridge Ensemble’s upcoming production of Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, opening Oct. 20.... Nashville Opera Association recently announced that executive director Carol Penterman and artistic director John Hoomes have agreed to the terms of a new five-year contract extension that runs through the end of the 2011 season.... The Comedians of Comedy Tour, featuring Patton Oswalt (Kings of Queens) and others, comes to the Exit/In Sept. 8.... Tennessee Repertory Theatre opens its 2006-7 season on Oct. 19 with Richard Greenberg’s Three Days of Rain.... TPAC’s family-friendly series of theater, dance and music offerings, “Family Field Trips,” kicks off Dec. 9 with Little Donkey, a musical performed by Theater Terra, an award-winning company from the Netherlands.... On Sept. 11 at Bongo Java, the Dramaturgy Project will host “Cafe Ionesco,” a literary mixer with entertainment and dialogue focusing on Eugene Ionesco and the Theater of the Absurd. Matt Chiorini, artistic director of People’s Branch Theatre, and members of the cast of Ionesco’s absurdist classic Rhinoceros, which opens Sept. 28 at the Belcourt, will be on hand. For information, call 837-8777 or email jazmn47@aol.com.... Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre celebrates its 40th birthday in 2007. The anniversary season includes Any Wednesday, Modern Love (an original comedy by local Nate Eppler), Chicago, Saving Grace, Mixed Emotions, Smoke on the Mountain, Lend Me a Tenor, Run for Your Wife and the holiday classic Sorry, Wrong Chimney! Call 646-9977 for season subscriptions.... Boiler Room Theatre’s recently announced 2007 season features seven productions, including the area premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical Urinetown. For subscriptions, phone 794-7744. TPAC’s 2006-2007 Broadway Series kicks off at Andrew Jackson Hall Sept. 19-24 with On Golden Pond. Noted television stars Tom Bosley and Michael Learned star.