“I don’t know why I became an actor,” Mr. Arnold has said. “My first memory of a theatre experience was at the age of three, and I was watching my father play the role of Billy Bigelow in the musical “Carousel.” When he fell on his knife and died, I started screaming and my uncle had to carry me out. Backstage after the show, when I saw my dad greeting people, I hurled myself into his arms sobbing in relief.”
Bright Star
Lipscomb University Theatre
Directed by Beki Baker
Role: Mayor Josiah Dobbs
Bright Star is a musical set in the hills of North Carolina with a story that spans the decades from 1923 to post World War II 1946 and focuses on the life of Alice Murphy, the editor of a successful literary magazine based in Asheville.
Bright Star is as stunning a piece of musical theater you may ever hope to experience. It’s clearly one of the year’s best musicals and one which audiences will remember long after the final curtain falls.
Jeffrey Ellis
Broadway World
“Congrats on what is evidently a wonderful production.”
Tweet by Steve Martin; Music, book, and story by Steve Martin
“Chip Arnold, an alumnus of the Lipscomb theater program once headed by his legendary father Henry O. Arnold (the entire Arnold family’s bloodline seems to course throughout the successful theater program at the university), is well-cast as the dastardly Josiah Dobbs, as evil a villain to ever come down the pike. It’s a definite credit to Arnold that he manages to infuse some humanity in the character to keep the audience from hurling tomatoes and invective toward the stage.”
Jeffrey Ellis
Broadway World
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- Chip Arnold, Hatty Ryan King, Annika Burley, Reese Twilla, and Conor Tarpley. Photo by Sarah H. Johnson.
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- Chip Arnold as Josiah Dobbs and Easton Curtis as Jimmy Ray Dobbs. Photo by Sarah H. Johnson.
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- Chip Arnold as Josiah Dobbs and Easton Curtis as Jimmy Ray Dobbs. Photo by Sarah H. Johnson.
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- Chip Arnold as Josiah Dobbs. Photo by Sarah H. Johnson.
Urinetown
photo by Dalton Hamilton
Nashville Repertory Theatre
Directed by Jason Tucker
Role: Caldwell B. Cladwell
In the not-so-distant future, a terrible water shortage caused by a 20-year drought leads to a government-forced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he’s had enough and leads the poor to rise up and fight for the freedom to go “wherever you like, whenever you like, for as long as you like, and with whomever you like!”
Photo by Michael Scott Evans
“…evil and nefarious Caldwell B. Cladwell, played with unctuous charm and confidence by Chip Arnold. Arnold is superb as the deceitful Cladwell.”
Jeffery Ellis
Broadway World
Broadway World
“It’s also a real treat to see Chip Arnold — an exceptional actor best known for taking on iconic roles like Willy Loman and Atticus Finch — reveling in the unbridled knavery of Caldwell B. Cladwell. His comedic delivery of “Mr. Cladwell” and “Don’t Be the Bunny” is great.”
Amy Stumpfl
Nashville Scene
Caldwell sings “Don’t Be The Bunny.” In the background: L to R-Matthew Carlton, Jacob York, Derek Whittaker, Sam Whited, and Megan Murphy Chambers; photo by Dalton Hamilton
“…the utterly ruthless Caldwell B. Cladwell, played with great oily charm by Chip Arnold.”
Evans Donnell
StageCritic.com
“Many of the show’s musical numbers bring the chuckles, and a bona fide favorite is “Don’t Be the Bunny,” led by Arnold’s dastardly character Cladwell. Arnold is usually seen playing more serious, dramatic characters…In my opinion, Arnold is the best dramatic actor we have in Nashville, and it’s remarkable to experience him in a comedic role. His perfect performance in Urinetown puts an even brighter spotlight on what a treasure he is in Nashville’s theater community.”
Chad Young
Nashville Parent Magazine
Caldwell with his adoring staff; photo by Dalton Hamilton
Shakespeare in Love
Nashville Repertory Theatre
Directed by Rene Copeland
Role(s): Frees, Sir Robert de Lesseps, and Wabash
“Let me explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.”
-Henslowe
Theatrical producer of The Rose Theatre
Chip Arnold as Frees and Bobby Wyckoff as Fennyman*
“..deliciously irreverent; surprisingly heartfelt.”
and
“…and Bobby Wycoff and Chip Arnold prove once again how their command of the stage has made both men such favorites of local audiences for the past few decades.”
Jeff Ellis
Broadway World
Chip Arnold as Sir Robert*
“An irresistible blend of passion and playful spirit…”
Amy Stumpfl
Nashville Theatre Critic
Chip Arnold as Wabash*
“Absolutely fell in LOVE with Nashville Repertory Theatre’s Shakespeare in Love!”
and
“From Rachel Agee as The Nurse and HRH Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva as Queen Elizabeth I to Rep favorites Chip Arnold & Bobby Wyckoff, the entire cast, is a joy to watch.”
Jonathan Pinkerton
JHP Entertainment
*All Photos by Michael Scott Evans
Ghost
Chip Arnold as Mr. Charles and Gerald Oliver as Castle. Photo by Michael Scott Evans.
Nashville Children’s Theatre
Directed by Jon Royal
Role(s): Principal Marshall & Mr. Charles
“Trouble is, you can’t run away from yourself.”
Castle Crenshaw, a.k.a. Ghost, has been running his entire life, but for all the wrong reasons. Then one day he meets Coach, an Olympic medalist who sees his unique raw talent. Can Ghost achieve the speed he needs for success, or will his past finally catch up to him? A world premiere play based on the novel by Jason Reynolds and adapted by Idris Goodwin especially for Nashville Children’s Theatre.
Chip Arnold as Principal Marshall and Gerald Oliver as Castle. Photo by Michael Scott Evans.
“Cameron Mitchell (Sunny/Brandon), Chip Arnold (Mr. Charles/Principal Marshall), Tamiko Robinson Steele (Mrs. Hollow, Terri/Tia), Jordan White (Lu) and Nikkita Staggs (Patina/Monique/Shamika) round out the amazingly talented cast. NCT’s Ghost is a powerful story of hope in the face of adversity, and it’s a big success for The NCT Hatchery’s first effort.”
Chad Young
Nashville Parent Magazine
Ghost is Poignant, Urgent, and Tons of Fun.
Erica Ciccarone
Nashville Scene Magazine
Chip Arnold as Mr. Charles and Gerald Oliver as Castle. Photo by Michael Scott Evans.
“…Chip Arnold completes the cast as Mr. Charles, a local shopkeeper, who provides refuge for Ghost and Terri on that night they fled their home in search of safety. As expected, Arnold’s stage presence ensures that Mr. Charles is presented as a real person rather than some dramatic archetype there to provide a service to move the plot along.
Jeffery Ellis; Broadway World
Frankenstein
Poster design by MA2LA & Matt Logan
Studio Tenn
Directed by Matt Logan
Roles: Captain Winthrop & Alphonse
“There is something at work in my soul which I do not understand.” Pushing the limits of science and morality in his search for love and purpose, Victor Frankenstein unleashes a creation that he cannot control. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Gothic novel, join us for a heartfelt new stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson (The Battle of Franklin) that will leave you pondering your own sense of belonging long after the lights come up.
Henry O. Arnold as Captain Winthrop. Photo by MA2LA.
“Henry O. Arnold is superb as both Captain Winthrop and Frankenstein family patriarch Alphonse.”
Jeffery Ellis
Broadway World
Henry O. Arnold as Alphonse Frankenstein. Photo by MA2LA.
“Appearing in dual roles is Henry O. Arnold as both Victor’s father, Alphonse Frankenstein, and the seafaring Captain Winthrop. As usual, Arnold, a staple of Nashville area theatre, turns in a fantastic performance…times two.”
JHP Entertainment
Inherit the Wind
Nashville Repertory Theatre
Directed by Rene Copeland
Role: Matthew Harrison Brady
“Inspired by the sensational Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee, this thrilling courtroom drama centers on the prosecution of a teacher who read about Darwin’s The Origin of Species to his science class from their biology book. The attention-grabbing trial becomes a boxing match for the two greatest legal giants of the century. The great storytelling of this classic is enhanced by its ties to actual historical characters, and this riveting drama rings with relevance to our culture’s struggle with the relationship between belief and science that continues to this day.”
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- Henry O. Arnold as Brady and Samuel Whited as the Judge.
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- Henry O. Arnold as Brady and Brian Webb Russell as Drummond.
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- Henry O. Arnold as Brady and Bonita Allen as Mrs. Sarah Brady.
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- Henry O. Arnold as Brady and Brian Webb Russell as Drummond.
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- Henry O. Arnold as Brady and Brian Webb Russell as Drummond.
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- Henry O. Arnold as Brady.
“Rene Copeland has assembled an exceptional cast, starting with Henry O. Arnold as prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady and Brian Webb Russell as Henry Drummond. Watching these two seasoned pros thunder away at each other is a rare treat that shouldn’t be missed.”
Amy Stumpfl
Nashville Tennessean/USA Today
“Rene Copeland’s casting ability has never felt more on-target than with Henry O. Arnold and Brain Webb Russell, two of the finest leading men to be found on any stage. Watching Arnold and Russell spar in the courtroom is assuredly thrilling.”
Jeffery Ellis
Broadway World
“Rene Copeland directs two of Music City’s most reliable veteran performers, Henry O. Arnold and Brian Webb Russell.”
Martin Brady
Nashville Scene
“Arnold is perfectly strident as Matthew Harrison Brady, delivering his lines with confidence and great vigor while subtly portraying the character’s frailties and own remarkable misgivings, even while never displaying one iota of diffidence.”
Jeffery Ellis
Broadway World
“You MUST go see this show! I wish every high school theatre student in Tennessee could attend this show so they could see, up close, what superb acting looks like watching Chip Arnold, Matthew Carlton, Brian Russell, and Samuel Whited.”
Kristin Dare Horsely
Senior Director for Education Outreach for the TPAC
Posterity
Chip Arnold as Henrik Ibsen
Nashville Repertory Theatre
Directed by Rene Copeland
Role: Henrik Ibsen
Take a world renowned Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, near the end of his career, and force him into a room with Norway’s favorite sculptor, Gustav Vigeland at the peak of his, whose ambitions require him to persuade a reluctant Ibsen to sit for him. Their battle begins. Debating what a person’s true legacy is – the work achieved during our life or how our loved ones remember us – unexpectedly teaches them something fundamental.
Nashville Repertory Theatre’s production of Posterity, by Doug Wright. Live onstage at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s (TPAC) Johnson Theater, February 11th through 25th, 2017 with previews February 9th and 10th.
This is the regional premiere of the play by Pulitzer and Tony winner Doug Wright.
Chip Arnold as Ibsen and Patrick as Vigeland
“Chip Arnold brought all of Ibsen’s bluster, insecurity, and depth of feeling to his portrayal of the “great man,” making him irrevocably, painfully human.”
Pulitzer and Tony winning playwright, Doug Wright
“Arnold masterfully plays this emotional trauma pulling the audience into the painful depths of Ibsen’s past. From vanity to insecurity to the freedom that comes from honesty, Arnold gives it his all. The result is one of Nashville Rep’s finest dramatic offerings”
Chad Young
Nashville Parent
“As Ibsen, Chip Arnold adds another epic portrayal to his résumé. Stiffly aged, his craggy visage framed by gray muttonchops, he ably runs the gamut from prideful to humbled to moribund.”
Martin Brady
Nashville Scene
“Chip Arnold is especially masterful as Ibsen — whether thundering away at his critics or quietly sharing moments of personal sorrow and regret. He carefully finesses his character’s physical deterioration, while maintaining a firm grasp on the formidable spirit within.”
Amy Stumpfl
The Tennessean
Death of a Salesman
Nashville Repertory Theatre
Directed by Rene Copeland
Role: Willy Loman
Chip Arnold as Willy Loman
“Arnold’s potent performance adds to his heavyweight resume, his Willy [Loman] evoking and inducing pain with almost every phrase.”
Martin Brady
Nashville Scene
Poster Design by Pat Patrick/Shane Burkeen
“Nashville stage veteran Chip Arnold has brought many powerful performances to roles with several companies. Known for his unforgettable roles, this current one is perhaps his most notable achievement of talent to date. His delivery of Willy Loman is emotionally gripping and believable to the point that audience members feel the torment happening inside Loman’s mind.”
Chad Young
Nashville Parent Magazine
Rona Carter as Linda Loman and Chip Arnold as Willy Loman
“Arnold, stoop-shouldered and forlorn, is in the very depths of the human condition at one moment and then will soar in a way that will take your breath away. His Willy Loman is so believable, so on-the-mark that you might find yourself blanching at times, but make no mistake about it, he is as real as any man who ever walked this earth.”
Jeffrey Ellis
Broadway World
Stand
Writer’s Stage
Directed by David Compton
Role: Mark Seraph
National Tours in 2015, 2017, and 2018:
Barry Scott as JJ and Chip Arnold as Mark
“Arnold and [Barry] Scott are justly admired actors who’ve both put four decades of their lives into their artistic work. Here they play with each other using vivid expression without visible artifice. Putting [playwright] Reyland’s marvelous words into the mouths of two such masterful performers provides entertainment that enlightens and enthralls.”
Evans Donnell
Nashville Arts Magazine
Chip Arnold as Mark