Owensboro native Calvin Malone has enjoyed many opportunities as part of his theatre career. From Montana to Pennsylvania and several states in between, Malone has performed in dozens of shows. His most recent role will take him close to home to play in May We All in Nashville this summer.
The production company founded by Brian Kelley, a member of the multi-platinum duo Florida Georgia Line, is bringing the world premiere of the show to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The country musical features songs from well known artists such as Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn.
According to the press release for the show, two original songs co-written by Florida Georgia Line global superstars Kelley and Tyler Hubbard are also featured in the score and will debut exclusively in the project.
As a graduate of Belmont University, Malone is excited to be a part of the show, and to land back in Nashville.
“There are a few other Belmont alumni in this as well. I’m thrilled to be doing what I love in a town I love, near people I love,” Malone said.
Earning a role in a show of this magnitude is an honor to Malone, who first heard about auditions from a friend.
“There was an open call,” he said. “A friend of mine said she didn’t know if I had heard of this show, but she felt like the universe was telling her to send the information to me. It was out of the blue and I auditioned on a whim.”
After six rounds of cuts and several callbacks, Malone was thrilled to learn he made the show. What he didn’t realize, until after the audition, was that a member of Florida-Georgia Line was in the room with him during the final leg of callbacks.
“During the final callback, which we often refer to as The Last Supper, there were 12-15 people behind the table watching, including Florida-Georgia Line. I didn’t find out they were in there until I left the room. Good thing I didn’t know or I would have thrown up,” Malone said.
The musical tells the story of a small-town girl whose big-city singing career is over before it even begins, and how she returns to the people and the places of her past to find a path to the future. Malone plays Stan, representing a character from the small town of Harmony, Tennessee.
Like his character, Malone considers himself to be someone with small-town roots, but he hopes to use that to inspire others to run after their dreams. After much uncertainty over the last 2 years, Malone is especially grateful to be back in business.
“Covid pretty much shut our industry down. There was a time when I didn’t know what the future of my industry would be,” he said. “I thought of giving it up. After years and years of hard work, I am finally seeing the fruits of my labor.”
May We All runs from June 7 through July 17 at James K. Polk Theater. Tickets and show information are available here.
