Lily Tomlin presents unique show at TPAC Feb. 9

“An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin” will be presented Feb. 9 for one performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Tennessee Performing Art’s Jackson Hall. The program is a nostalgic and warm presentation of Lily’s “greatest hits” with more than a dozen of her famous characters ? including the precocious 6-year-old Edith Ann, the irascible telephone operator Ernestine, the aging beauty adviser Madame Lupe, Lucille the rubber addict, prim Judith Beasley from Calumet City, Indiana, and Lily’s most profound character, Trudy, the schizophrenic street lady who starred in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. It will be a night of cerebral comedy and prescient social commentary woven among Lily’s affectionate reminiscences about her childhood in the Midwest.

Lily Tomlin, one of America’s foremost comedic entertainers, continues to add to her impressive body of work. Tomlin has enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning all facets of the entertainment industry including feature films, television and theatre.

Tomlin made her film debut as Linnea, a gospel singer and mother of two 2 deaf children in Robert Altman’s “Nashville” (1975). Her performance was so memorable that she was nominated for an Academy Award and voted Best Supporting Actress by both the New York Film Critics and the National Society of Film Critics.

She next starred opposite Art Carney as a would-be actress living on the fringes of Hollywood in Robert Benton’s “The Late Show” (1977); with John Travolta, she appeard as a lonely Beverly Hills housewife in “Moment By Moment” (1978); then teamed with Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton in Colin Higgins’ comedy “9 to 5” (1980).

She starred as the happy homemaker who became “The Incredible Shrinking Women” (1981), directed by Joel Schumacher from a screenplay by Jane Wagner; and the eccentric rich woman whose soul invades Steve Martin’s body in Carl Reiner’s popular “All of Me” (1984).

She teamed with Bette Midler in “Big Business” (1988); starred in the film version “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life In the Universe” (1991); appeared as part of an ensemble cast in Woody Allen’s “Shadows and Fog” (1992) and most recently made a cameo appearance in Robert Altman’s “The Player” (1992).

In 1966, she made her television debut on “The Garry Moore Show,” and in 1969 opened for the legendary Mabel Mercer in the Downstairs memorable appearances on “The Merv Griffin Show,” which lead to a move to California where she appeared on “Music Scene.”

In December 1969, Tomlin joined the cast of the top-rated “Laugh-In” and overnight rose to national prominence with her characterizations of Ernestine, the sassy telephone operator, and Edith Ann, the devilish five and a half year old. Between 1973 and 1975, Tomlin co-wrote and starred in four comedy specials.

Tickets are available at the TPAC Box Office and Ticketmaster for $52.50, $42.50, $32.50. Or order online at www.tpac.org or charge at (615) 255-ARTS (255-2787). Special group discounts: TPAC Box Office or (615) 782-4060.