Breakout:
What: "An Opry Tribute Music Show" presented by The Pixy Theatre and teh Actors' Studio of Hope.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
Where: The Pixy Theatre, 111 S. Walnut St., Edinburgh.
Cost: $10 per person.

** For more information or to make reservations, call 812-526-6513.
The Actors’ Studio of Hope is bringing its “An Opry Tribute Music Show” to the Pixy Theatre, located at 111 S. Walnut St. in downtown Edinburgh, this weekend for a single performance at 7 p.m. Saturday.

In an effort to build regional recognition for the Hope theatre scene, Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle didn’t hesitate when Mike Harding, owner of the Pixy Theatre, extended an invitation to bring the Opry to Edinburgh.

The unique, three-story Pixy offers an array of elements that make for a true theatre experience, Pyle says.

“I think those who have never been there will be surprised with how large the stage is,” Pyle says. “The front row is about maybe three to five feet from the stage and there’s not a bad seat in the house because the seating is angled up.”

Pyle and Harding say they are hoping to build a collaborative collective of artists between their communities with an opportunity for shows to possibly “tour” the venues.

“I hoping to attract new people because, in so doing, we can bring more people to WILLow LeaVes,” Pyle says.

It is a sentiment that Harding echoes.

“I think it is such a cool thing that we can involve other communities,” Harding says. “I think we all just kind of need to work together to circulate and combine our efforts. There’s no reason why we couldn’t have some of our musical acts show up at Hope, or at the Historic Artcraft, so that’s my thoughts and one of the reasons I’m so excited about it. It’s what I’ve been trying to do for 14 years now.”

And Harding’s excitement is clearly contagious.

During a recent phone conversation with actor Jason Bowser, who will portray Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash at Saturday’s show, he expressed his excitement for the opportunity to perform on a bona fide theatre stage.

“Instead of using the crowd, I have to use the stage, which I’ve never done before because I’m always moving amongst the crowd,” Bowser says. “It is going to be a big change and I am excited for it.”

With a new building comes new challenges, Bowser says, but also fresh perspectives.

Saturday’s show not only spotlights beloved icons of country music, but weaves together a story that offers glimpse of the human condition, Bowser adds.

“I think the fun thing is we aren’t just singing those songs, we are becoming those musicians and telling stories from their perspective,” he says. “I always like finding little nuggets of info about the actual artists and including them in their stories.”

Similar to its run at WILLow LeaVes of Hope earlier this year, the Opry Tribute show will feature songs from Elvis Presley, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash (with an appearance by June Carter Cash) and The Judds portrayed by local talent Ginny Pugh-Spillman, Falicia Whited, Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle and, of course, Bowser.

Pyle, who is directing and producing Saturday’s show, says aligning with the Pixy will afford the Actors’ Studio and others a chance to make the most of building recognition and interest in community theatre, as well as making the theatre accessible to more people.

Not everyone has the means or opportunity to indulge in the dinner-theatre experience, Pyle says.

“What I think we are going to try and do is work some of our shows in – would be mostly our musical and variety shows – to try and give [Harding] a head’s up,” she says. “The fact is that it only costs $10. In this inflationary time, not many people can afford $35, so this will allow them to come to the show who possibly couldn’t come to the other one.”

And, the Pixy is the only theatre around where you can still purchase popcorn for $1 and a Coke for $1, Harding says.

For those who may have caught the first run of the Opry Tribute show, this show will be missing Minnie Pearl as she was already booked for another engagement, Pyle says. But, despite her absence, there will still be plenty of laughter to compliment the music, Pyle adds.

Pyle will share the stage with Whited as the pair reprise their role as the Judds, she says, performing beloved hits that include “Love Can Build a Bridge” and “Why Not Me,” but not before breaking the proverbial ice with the evergreen Jeannie C. Riley hit “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

“I think if you do a show that is a musical show, you have to include comedy or something funny,” Pyle says. “If you’ve ever been to a show at Pigeon Forge, they always have a comedian. And then you always have to end the show with giving the audience the warm fuzzies, you can do that with gospel music or Americana music – like Lee Greenwood. Because most shows will end with something warm and fuzzy – we are going to end this one with gospel, ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You.’”

Harding says after more than a decade in the theatre and entertainment scene he has learned to not have any expectations, but to remain open minded.

“We are trying to do a lot of diverse things and this show from Hope I am so thrilled about it, I can’t tell you,” Harding says. “And I am hoping in the future we will be able to bring more things over.”