Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre in Gatlinburg is kicking off its 40th hilarious season and Sevier County locals can enjoy the show during the entire month of May for just a donation to the One By One Spay and Neuter Program.
The area’s oldest professional theatre opened in 1977 and since then has entertained and delighted its patrons with over 42 original musical comedies and countless musical comedy revues. How did it all begin you ask? Well at least one person did. In a nutshell, Pat and Don MacPherson met in 1961 as dancers in the spectacular “Folies Bergère” in Las Vegas. They married in London in 1964; formed MacPherson Productions Inc. in 1967; produced shows in 17 states, 27 cities from Miami to Seattle, and worked in 6 different countries. In 1977, the dream of opening their own theatre, came true. Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre opened in Gatlinburg in May of 1977.
Sweet Fanny Adams has been a true family business. Pat’s parents, Paddy and Betty O’Doherty, came over from England to help start the theatre. Pat and Don’s brothers, Patrick and Richard, have helped in many different jobs throughout the years. And their children Chris, Jennifer and Kimberly have all grown up and worked many jobs at the theatre. To them the place is magical. It is a very small, unusual, and close-knit place to work and the cast and crew have all truly become family as well. When you spend an evening at Sweet Fanny Adams you will feel that you are spending the evening with family… maybe just that black-sheep crazy family that makes you laugh!
The charming theatre harkens back to the golden age of music halls of the 1890’s. The theatre has won over 43 audience awards and has been named a historical treasure by the City of Gatlinburg. Sweet Fanny Adams has also been recognized by the Tennessee State Senate as one of the most innovative and creative theatres in the country. But, most importantly, you can forget your troubles and just laugh for a couple of hours!
As is the tradition at Sweet Fanny Adams, two new and original shows are presented each season. The season kicks off with “Ramblings of a Plaid Mind,” an original vaudeville-style revue with songs, dances, & comedy routines. On May 14th, the theatre will open “Cowboy, The Life and Times of Billy Kincaid,” a hilarious musical comedy western chronicling the adventures of the last great hero of the American Wild West! Of course, both shows contain the old time sing-a-long filled with unrehearsed surprises.
Fans have been coming yearly and are now bringing their children and grandchildren to see the new shows. For many people a trip to Gatlinburg would not be complete without at least one night at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre.
To take advantage of the Sevier County Days special, residents and those who work in the county must present a valid Sevier County Driver’s License or Photo I.D., or local employee card, at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre box office for each complimentary admission ticket during May 2016. A voluntary contribution to benefit the One By One Spay and Neuter Program is greatly appreciated.
Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre is located at 461 Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tenn. For information call 865-436-4039.
