Patrick Cassidy is rightfully proud of his theatrical career, which spans nearly 40 years and includes Broadway, film and television. But these days, the acclaimed actor, director and educator is most eager to discuss his new leading role — as artistic director for Studio Tenn in Franklin.
“It’s really quite an amazing opportunity,” says Cassidy, the son of Broadway legend and Academy Award-winner Shirley Jones and the late Tony-winning actor Jack Cassidy, and brother to Shaun, Ryan and the late David Cassidy. “Studio Tenn has such a great reputation. I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of such an outstanding organization and to be able to build on that foundation of excellence as we move into the future.”
The Los Angeles native most recently served as artistic director for 5-Star Theatricals, the resident musical theater production company at Civic Arts Plaza, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. But Cassidy began his Broadway career at the age of 19, when he was cast opposite Kevin Kline in The Pirates of Penzance. He would go on to star in Leader of the Pack, Annie Get Your Gun and Elton John’s Aida, for which he earned the 2002 National Broadway Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Touring Musical. He also originated the role of The Balladeer in the original Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins at Playwrights Horizons in 1990.
Cassidy recently relocated to Franklin with his wife of 26 years, choreographer and dance teacher Melissa Hurley Cassidy. The couple have two sons — Cole, a mechanical engineer and guitarist who lives in California; and Jack, a singer-songwriter who is signed to Warner/Chappell Music and Fair Trade Services in Nashville. In fact, it was Jack who first introduced his father to Franklin.
“It’s funny, we had been thinking about leaving California for some time. But when I helped my son relocate to Franklin this summer, I was immediately taken with just how beautiful it is here. And when Melissa visited in August, she absolutely fell in love with the place. Everything took off from there … and happened in such a natural, easy way that it feels like it was meant to be.
“It was very important to me to make this my home,” he adds. “I didn’t want to be traveling back and forth to California, dividing my time and attention. This is a new chapter for us, and we’re eager to get involved in the community. One of the things I love about the theater is that it’s such a collaborative medium — not just onstage, but also behind the scenes. It takes a community effort to make a great theater, and that’s my hope for Studio Tenn. I want people to embrace this company as their own.”
Cassidy’s vision for the company includes a healthy mix of classic and contemporary works, including both musicals and plays. He also hopes to add smaller cabaret shows, while expanding education and outreach programs. But for now, Cassidy is working to get “more familiar with Studio Tenn’s existing team and upcoming projects,” including Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which opens at Studio Tenn on Dec. 6.
“It’s been such an amazing journey so far,” says Cassidy. “It’s quite humbling. The people here are phenomenal — so kind and generous. I tell you, if this is Southern hospitality, I’m in. I want it all. I sort of feel like I’ve landed in Bedford Falls, and it really is a wonderful life.”
