Celebrating a year of newsletters, Doc Porter, big TNT announcement and more

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Happy birthday to us!

Hey, all. Just a quick note to thank you for reading this weekly newsletter, which becomes a 1-year-old this week! It certainly has been a labor of love, and I hope you’ve enjoyed things you’ve read here from time to time. Here’s to another year of covering Birmingham’s vibrant arts scene. Let me know what’s working for you and what features I might look toward adding. Always feel free to email me at alec@byalecharvey.com.

The Leeds Arts Council will present “Fiddler on the Roof,” one of theater’s most-beloved musicals, April 18-28. Why is it so beloved? It’s packed with classic theater songs, from “If I Were a Rich Man” to “Tradition” to “Sunrise, Sunset” to “Matchmaker,” all used to tell the story of Tevye, his wife, Golde, and their five daughters. The Leeds cast is a large one, led by Jon McClaran as Tevye and Stephanie Cleveland as Golde. Go here for more information about the show and to purchase tickets.

Chelsea Reynolds, assistant professor of musical theater at Samford University, is a huge fan of the literary work of Shirley Jackson. So is composer Ryan Scott Oliver. Now, Samford has commissioned a musical by Oliver based on Jackson's work, and the world premiere of "Tomorrow, the Island Dies" takes place at Samford this weekend.

Family Ties: Doc Porter continues family's acting tradition

Fourteen-year-old Doc Porter has been an actor on stage and screen, but he hasn't acted with his mother, Dana Porter, until now. The two play mother and stepson in Homewood Theatre's "On Golden Pond." Doc took the time to answer some questions about his performing career and his family.

Opener set for new TNT

Though specific dates aren't set, Terrific New Theatre is holding auditions for "Sunday in the Park with George," the Sondheim musical and first show in the new TNT theater. The announcement says performances will be November-December.

More about TNT and 'Sunday'