Here are a few of fascinating arts events happening at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) you can see and hear in the coming weeks.
Nashville Ballet presents “Giselle,” October 2 – 4, in the Polk Theater; Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30, Sunday afternoons at 2:00 pm. Love. Deceit. Despair. Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin presents his first full-length ballet with his own unique interpretation of the hauntingly beautiful tale of Giselle. Complete with reinvigorated sets and costumes, new choreography, and live accompaniment by the Nashville Symphony, witness this tragic love story on our main stage for the first time since 2009. Find yourself caught in the moonlit shadows with the veiled Wilis’ dark desire for revenge…but this time, redemption is not so certain.
Nashville Repertory Theatre presents “John Proctor Is the Villain” with 14 performances October 2 – 18 in the Johnson Theater. What if the villain is not who we thought? In this biting dramatic comedy, a high school English class reexamines “The Crucible” and sparks a reckoning. As teenage girls debate John Proctor’s morality, their conversations expose uncomfortable truths about consent, credibility, and the stories society chooses to protect. From Kimberly Belflower comes a smart, timely, and deeply human play that asks, who benefits when we call someone a hero?
Nashville Opera presents TOSCA, Thursday, October 8 and Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 each evening in Jackson Hall. Experience the raw intensity of Puccini’s most cinematic masterpiece. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of 1800s Rome, Tosca is a high-stakes race against time where passion and politics collide. Follow the legendary singer Floria Tosca as she fights to save her lover from the clutches of the corrupt police chief, Scarpia. Featuring stunning, hand-painted traditional sets, this production captures the grand scale of Italian tragedy, complete with a mock execution, a deadly double-cross, and one of the most iconic final moments in all of opera. NOTE: This show will be performed entirely in Italian. Supertitle translations will be provided.
“Dancing in the Aisles – The Ultimate Motown Experience” brings the timeless sound of Motown to life in an electrifying night of music, memories, and world – class entertainment featuring Detroit legends “The Shades of Blue,” known for their #1 hit “Oh How Happy!” The show highlights an all-star cast of renowned Motown performers including Stuart Avig, one of only five Original Motown Artists still touring! Witness dazzling costumes, dynamic choreography, and powerful harmonies as they take you on a thrilling journey through the greatest hits of The Temptations, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, and more Friday, Oct 9 at 7:00 pm in the Polk Theater.
For “Dance That Drives Social Movement,” don’t miss “Urban Bush Women: This Is Risk” on Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 pm in Polk Theater. Urban Bush Women (UBW) is a pioneering dance company that uses movement, music, and storytelling to celebrate culture, community, and the power of collective voices. THIS IS RISK is a vibrant celebration four decades of dynamic performances that inspire connection, spark dialogue, and honor the rich traditions of the African diaspora in resilience, creativity, and community; groundbreaking artistry and innovation with an electrifying evening of dance and live music. With beloved works by founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, the return of the acclaimed “Shelter,” the first full performance of “Batty Moves” since 2002, and “Contemplations on Legacy” by longtime collaborator Vincent E. Thomas, this powerful program reflects on the past while looking boldly toward the future, filled with energy, artistry, and unforgettable storytelling,
