The Williamson County Performing Arts Center (WCPAC) at Academy Park and the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department (WCPR) have several upcoming theater events planned in September.

The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan

From Friday, Sept. 9 through Sunday, Sept. 11, Franklin Light Opera (FLO) will present “The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan.” Following FLO’s successful production of Pauline Viardot’s “Cendrillon” last season, the company will present a concert of favorite Gilbert and Sullivan selections from shows that are performed around the world, including “HMS Pinafore,” “The Mikado,” “Pirates of Penzance” and more. 

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s celebrated partnership produced 14 comic operas and have inspired theatre audiences for more than 100 years with their memorable melodies, clever lyrics and enduring social commentary. 

Performances will be held Sept. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park. Tickets are $20 for adults under 55, $16.50 for seniors 55 and over, and $12 for students. Tickets can be purchased through www.wcpactn.com. 

2022 Summer Shakespeare Festival

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival presents the 2022 Summer Shakespeare Festival, in collaboration with Kennie Playhouse Theatre, on Thursday, Sept. 15 and Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. both days.

Kennie Playhouse Theatre will present August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean,” followed by the Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s production of Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline.”

This will mark the sixth year that the Nashville Shakespeare Festival has toured its summer festival to the WCPAC at Academy Park. The event is free and open to the public with VIP Royal packages available for purchase. 

More information can be found at www.nashvilleshakes.org/franklin-shakes.

‘Shrek the Musical’ auditions

The WCPR’s youth theater group, Star Bright Players, will hold open auditions for their fall 2022 production, “Shrek the Musical,” on Sunday, Sept. 11. 

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, “Shrek the Musical” is a Tony Award-winning fairytale adventure, featuring songs from Jeanine Tesori (“Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Caroline, or Change”) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. It brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears. 

“‘Shrek’ seemed like the perfect show for this fall because everyone loves this story and can relate to it on so many levels. All of the characters seem isolated in one way or another and are looking to belong,” “Shrek the Musical” Director Leslie Milstead said. “‘Shrek’ addresses this human condition in a humorous way through characters we all love. We are looking forward to lots of laughter throughout the rehearsal period.”

Auditions for “Shrek the Musical” will be held on Sept. 11 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Freedom Middle School at 750 New Highway 96 W. in Franklin. The production is open to ages 10-18. 

Star Bright Players will hold four “Shrek” performances from Dec. 1-3 at the Shelby Theatre at Freedom Middle School. 

To sign up for an audition timeslot and to find more information about audition materials, rehearsal schedule and video submissions, visit www.wcparksandrec.com. Walk-ins who do not sign up for a timeslot are also welcome.

Star Bright Players is WCPR’s award-winning children’s theatre company and has presented full-scale productions accompanied by live musicians for more than 25 years. It produces two full-scale musical productions each year and holds open auditions in February and September.

“Like ‘Shrek,’ Star Bright has many layers,” Milstead said. “We, of course, are here to produce a quality show. But as we work our way through the rehearsal period, we are honing skills for both cast and crew — music, acting, storytelling, building, problem solving on all levels.  Probably most importantly, we are giving our participants the opportunity to become their best selves. They learn teamwork, responsibility and empathy. We are a family first and foremost.”

More information about the Star Bright Players can be found at www.wcparksandrec.com.