If you hear the unusually mixed strains of Country Western and Opera music wafting from Pull-Tight Players Theatre on a weeknight in March, don’t be alarmed. Cast and crew members are busily preparing for the Tennessee debut of Madame Buttermilk, a musical comedy by Ross Carter.

The cast is as follows:

Carly – Chelsea Craig
Connor – Lee Davies, Jr.
Ford – Roger Csaki
Art – Jim Maden
Swaggart – Julie Murphy
Beemer – Art Peach
Kit – Meghan Russell
Dody – Daryle Tallent
Car Man – Stan Ferguson
Car Man – Mark Buchanan

Madame Buttermilk tells the story of Carly Speranza, who dreams of starring in the title role of the opera Carmen. When a phone call seemingly destined by fate pushes Carly into the limelight, it looks like a dream come true. Unfortunately, that chance of a lifetime puts her in the precarious position between earning stock and becoming the laughingstock.

Ross Carter’s family-friendly original musical promises to please patrons of all ages.

Co-directors Laurel Aiello and Beth Woodruff previously led Pull-Tight’s 2017 production of Legally Blonde.

The show will run April 1 through 16. General tickets will go on sale March 21.

The Pull-Tight Board of Directors has announced that our originally scheduled production of The Elephant Man will be replaced in the season lineup with audience favorite, Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple.

Carmela Hofstee, Board President, states, “During these ever-changing and challenging times, we need something light to look forward to. Live theatre is a highlight in many people’s lives, and we have been excited to reopen our theater this month with the well-received Crimes of the Heart, a “dramedy” that has totally enchanted our audiences.

“Crimes will be followed by Madame Buttermilk, an original musical that already boasts a stellar cast and promises to be a hilarious and charming evening. We wanted to end the season by bringing this classic comedy back to our stage, which reminds us that in the midst of differences, we can still find joy, camaraderie, and laughter.”

Either in the original version or as The Female Odd Couple, this show has been performed on the Pull-Tight stage six times.

The fun begins as fastidious and tightly wound Felix Unger, just separated from his wife, moves in with recently divorced Oscar Madison, whose slovenly and careless ways probably contributed to the breakup of his own marriage. A cast of poker-playing buddies and a date night with the Pigeon sisters round out an evening of hilarity that is also full of heart.

Director JK Gregg states, “Although The Elephant Man is a play close to my heart and I hope to direct it in the near future, I’m looking forward to being in the theatre with an opportunity to laugh every night. I think we can all stand a little bit more laughter right now.”

The Odd Couple will run May 27 through June 11 at Pull-Tight Players Theatre in Franklin. General tickets will go on sale May 16.