Actors spend their time going to auditions and performing in shows—a lifestyle that constantly creates connections with other actors in the community. This leads to some powerful artistic bonding, and one consequence of this can be a burning desire to get onstage together. This desire can often go frustrated and
unfulfilled.
But some actors simply will not accept the status quo, possibly never being cast in a show together, so they take the “bull” by the horns. Such is the case with five of Nashville’s finest actresses: Erin Parker, Megan Murphy Chambers, Laura Matala, Cori Anne Laemmel and Melodie Madden Adams. Several years ago, these ladies lamented that they were more likely to compete for roles than they were to end up together onstage in the conventional theatre world, so they determined to create a group that would showcase their collective talents in a genre that was made for just such a purpose: cabaret.
What emerged is a group called MAS. There’s a double meaning here. The letters represent what these ladies are, at their core: a Mutual Admiration Society. But, as most of us know, “mas” also means “more” in Spanish, and the mission of this ensemble is to give these artists and their audience “mas” of what they do. The greatest challenge of bringing this mission to fruition is trying to create something around the schedules of a very busy group of women who are also raising children and holding down regular jobs. So, three years of work have led to only one show and a soon to-be-released CD. But now the gals are headed back to the stage with their 2014 holiday show, which will be staged at 8 p.m. on Monday, December 8 at The Belcourt Theatre.
The show, called Under the Mastletoe, is best described as “a concert where Celtic Women meets Sex and the City and class meets hilarity.” It’s a blend of holiday standards, winter songs, and melodious mash-up, as well as just plain festive, non-holiday tunes. This promises to be an evening of fantastic harmonies, holiday cheer, glitter, high heels, and humor. You can, of course, find out much more about what MAS is all about on their website, www.masnashville.com. For tickets to Under the Mastletoe, visit www.belcourt.org