Don Schlitz News

"Stand By Me," the song written by Leiber & Stoller and Ben E. King will receive the Towering Song Award at the 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Gala Event to be held at the Marriott Marquee Hotel in New York City tonight, June 14, 2012, Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman, Jimmy Webb, announced. Mike Stoller will accept the award along with Ben E. King, who will also be honored with the Towering Performance Award for his performance on the Leiber & Stoller produced recording of "Stand By Me."

Grammy Award-winning songwriter Mike Stoller will be honored during his upcoming visit to New York City in June 2012. Stoller, who will be accompanied by his wife Corky Hall Stoller, will attend numerous events during his visit to the Big Apple.

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP), in partnership with UCF, has announced its 10th Birthday Season. The REP is Orlando's only professional theatre for families and young audiences and has performed shows such as PINKALICIOUS: The Musical, Lyle the Crocodile, and A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas.

"Stand By Me," the song written by Leiber & Stoller and Ben E. King will receive the Towering Song Award at the 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) Gala Event to be held at the Marriott Marquee Hotel in New York City on Thursday, June 14, 2012, Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman, Jimmy Webb, announced today. Mike Stoller will accept the award along with Ben E. King, who will also be honored with the Towering Performance Award for his performance on the Leiber & Stoller produced recording of "Stand By Me."

Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing the winners of awards that will not be televised during the live telecast of the 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, telecast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network, due to time constraints.

Musical geniuses Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones and Jim Steinman will become the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization's 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. The star-studded event is slated for Thursday, June 14th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

Under the Covers with Victoria Shaw and special guests Gary Burr & Mark Hudson plays an encore performance at Merrimack Hall.

Under the Covers with Victoria Shaw and special guests Gary Burr & Mark Hudson plays an encore performance at Merrimack Hall.

Under the Covers with Victoria Shaw and special guests Gary Burr & Mark Hudson is set for Merrimack Hall this December.

Jimmy Webb, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced the slate of 2012 nominees for induction. The organization, which is dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music around the world, holds annual elections to determine those who will make up the roster of inductees for the following year.

Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing the winners of awards that will not be televised during the live telecast of the 46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS.

Today the Academy of Country Music is announcing the winners of awards that will not be televised during the live telecast of the 46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS.

The Secret Sisters perform during the 4th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images for ACM)

Photos from the 4th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee.

One of the most beloved characters of American literature will end its run in the exuberant musical, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre on March 21st.

One of the most beloved characters of American literature comes to life in the exuberant musical, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. A pop rock Broadway version of Mark Twain's semi-autobiographical novel is presented by Maurer Productions OnStage Fridays, Mar. 12 and 19 at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Mar. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sundays, Mar. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

One of the most beloved characters of American literature comes to life in the exuberant musical, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,' at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. A pop rock Broadway version of Mark Twain's semi-autobiographical novel is presented by Maurer Productions OnStage Fridays, Mar. 12 and 19 at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Mar. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sundays, Mar. 14 and 21 at 2 p.m.

While the women in Nashville theatre might garner more critical attention, showier roles and sparklier costumes, the men, clearly, are no slouches themselves. Capable and committed, the men who assay roles on Nashville stages are a pretty impressive collection of actors who can take on the most traditional of roles one week, while tackling parts that require them to be more experimental and brave the next. In 2009, Nashville's best actors showed their range while strutting themselves in some of the best productions we've seen in years.

If, indeed, 'it takes a village,' and if, as the poets say, 'no man is an island,' then perhaps no art form is more collaborative than live theatre. With a village of artists backstage and offstage assuring that each production is mounted, then coming to life during each performance, the collaborative effort is renewed. And what audiences see onstage is the collaboration of artists, the people who comprise the acting ensemble, the folks who bring the stagebound script to life, sending it soaring into our imaginations.