2026 Bijou Broadway Revue is Friday

The Bijou Theatre invites the community to celebrate the next generation of East Tennessee performers at the Bijou Broadway Revue, a one-night-only showcase presented in partnership with Knoxville Opera on Friday, July 31, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and event starting at 7:30 p.m. Seating is general admission; ticket info is here.

The performance serves as the grand finale of the Bijou Theatre’s Summer Stages program, a two-week musical theatre intensive designed for aspiring performers ages 13-18. Throughout the program, students receive professional training in vocal performance, acting, choreography and stagecraft while working alongside experienced theatre artists, said Nathan McGhee, the Bijou’s general manager.

Adeline Teglas on stage at the Bijou

Audiences can expect an evening filled with Broadway favorites, dynamic dance numbers, comedy and touching moments – all brought to life by 30 East Tennessee students who have spent the past two weeks learning, collaborating and growing as artists.

“One of the greatest privileges we have at the Bijou is creating opportunities for young people to discover their confidence, their creativity and their voice,” said McGhee. “The Bijou Broadway Revue is more than a performance – it’s a celebration of hard work, artistic growth, and the incredible talent that exists right here in East Tennessee.”

The public is encouraged to attend and support these rising artists as they take the historic Bijou stage for an unforgettable evening of live theatre.

Proceeds directly support the Bijou Theatre’s educational programming and the continued preservation of the historic 1909 venue.

Participants are from Knoxville, Newport, Morristown, Jefferson City, Farragut, Kodak, Washburn, Parrotsville, Seymour and Oak Ridge.

Performers are: Bridget Cressman, Parker Gulliver, Orion Blalock, Dylan Robinson, Natalie Graves, Danny Peters, Cash Ford, Shiloh (Elliot) Balance, Sydney Fishbun, Emily Yang, Lydia Ladd, Miles Wilkerson, Gretta Sigler, Avonlea Waltermyer, Isaac Warner, Norah Cook;

Also: Josie Durrett, Ross Guss, Mila Baglio, Marion Field, Darby Hudson, Christopher Candelino, Luna Chavez, Maddie Weigel, Macon Sloan, Adeline Teglas, Luke Meade, Eva Maroni, July Hanford and Nathan Stacy.

In Memoriam

Paige Linn

Paige Hurst Linn passed away on June 7, 2026, at age 57. She taught math for 12 years at Whittle Springs Middle School and four years at Powell Middle School. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Chesapeake’s West in Knoxville. Donations in memory of Paige Hurst Linn can be made to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Palliative Care Unit), Whittle Springs Middle School or Powell Middle School. The obituary is here.

Doug McBee

Paul D. “Doug” McBee passed away on July 21, 2026, at age 73. Coach McBee was a long-time high school basketball coach in Grainger County. One son, Skylar McBee, played basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers during 2009-2013. “To many, he was more than a teacher or coach. He was a mentor, role model and a trusted friend who believed in people even when they struggled to believe in themselves,” per the obituary here. The family received friends on July 27.

Joyce Mullins

Joyce Ann Mullins passed away on July 19, 2026, at age 86. Her degree was from Carson-Newman and she retired from Knox County Schools where she was a teacher and reading specialist. She was a coordinator for Gov. Lamar Alexander’s Basic Skills First program. She and the late Roy Mullins were married for 63 years and lived on a farm in Corryton. The family will receive friends today (Wednesday, July 29) from 5-7 p.m. at Bridges Funeral Home, 5420 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville. The obituary is here.

Notes & quotes

Deadline Thursday, July 30, 2026, to get tickets for the Summer Farm to Table dinner at the Fire & Salt Restaurant in Oak Ridge to benefit Grow Oak Ridge. Our earlier story. Ticket info.

The Knoxville Area Urban League’s largest community event – Shoes for School on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Covenant Health Park – will be bigger than ever and in a new location. Talk with a representative about how the event supports local students or donate here.  

Back-to-school is sooner than you think: Monday, August 3, is the first day for Knox County teachers; Friday, August 7, is orientation for sixth and nineth graders; Monday, August 10, is first day for students (half day). 2026-27 school calendar here.

Farragut Band Boosters yard sale will be Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 8 a.m. until noon at Farragut High School. Info on donations: kristin.ricciuto@farragutband.org/.

Cades Cove is vehicle-free on Wednesdays. Cycle or walk the 11.1-mile loop – sunrise to sunset. You are guaranteed to see stuff that you would never see from a car; plus, it’s easier to breathe.

Outdoor Knoxville lists dozens of activities, many free, all outdoors.

Thursday, Aug. 6, is Election Day in Knox County. It’s the general election for county offices – mayor, trustee, sheriff, etc., at-large county commissioners and some district commissioners and school board members. The Republican and Democratic state and federal primaries will also occur – pick one to select nominees for the November general election. Town of Farragut will be electing a new mayor and two members of the board of aldermen. Early voting is underway and ends Saturday, August 1. Info: knoxvotes.org/.

Quote: “I have never seen a thin person drinking Diet Coke.” – Donald Trump on Twitter, 14/10/12.

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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Schools by Sandra Clark.

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