(Roger Cunningham, Carol Mayo Jenkins, Calvin MacLean, Misty Cunningham, Greg Helton,

and Lisa Soland.)

(Deryk Stilwell, Bob Bell, Greg Helton, Harrison Young, LIsa Soland, and Meg Bell.).

(Three readings of Lisa Soland's new play PAT took place in the playwright's home: February 21 and 23, and April 16, 2025, in order to share the play, incorporate necessary rewrites, and acquire the blessing from the Pat Summitt Foundation to move forward with a production.)

(Debby Jennings, Lady Vols' first director of media relations, Lisa Soland, actor/playwright, and Joan Cronan, Women's Athletic Director Emeritus for UT.)

The Playreadings

Lisa Soland's new play

"PAT,"

The One-Person Play on the Life of Coach Pat Summitt

SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY

has been published!

The play/book contains photos, a list of all performances, and cast and crew information. Order your signed copy by emailing LisaSoland@gmail.com or simply click on the cover below to purchase your copy on Amazon.

Ms. Soland's One-Person Show Mentors

(Burt Reynolds and Lisa Soland in the theatre in

North Palm Beach, following a showcase of her work.)

(Lisa and Charles Nelson Reilly in the lobby of the Burt Reynolds Theatre following an evening of their work.)

(Ms. Soland with Broadway playwright William Luce following his world-premiere play "Luce Women" in which she played writer Zelda Fitzgerald.)

“I found myself emotionally engaged within the first five minutes! Lisa’s writing is a great salute to one of Tennessee’s greatest women! The story made me laugh and shed a tear, knowing Pat’s heart and how Ms. Soland captured the flavor of a true heroine!"

– Bob Bell, Talkshow Host WRJZ and Sales Team Leader

Lisa Soland

Pat Head Summitt

THE SYNOPSIS

Lisa Soland's new one-person play, "PAT," tells the inspirational story of legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt. The play follows her journey from her childhood days on the farm in Henrietta, to her coaching career at the University of Tennessee, highlighting the inner workings that drove her success.

Soland’s powerful narrative captures Summitt's sincerity and intense competitiveness, which demanded hard work and accountability. We witness how Pat empowers her players to take ownership while holding them to a standard as high as her own. The play is rich with themes of hard work, discipline, and self-respect.

The story begins with Pat’s first visit to the doctor, and as it unfolds, we see evidence of her gradual decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. True to Pat’s spirit, the playwright avoids a “pity party” for our protagonist as Ms. Summitt confronts her disease with courage and determination.

(Greg Helton as Sergeant Alvin C. York, with playwright Lisa Soland)

Possible opening in the fall of 2025. More to come!

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY...

"Sergeant York: The Play is wonderful. Playwright Lisa Soland has really captured the heart and soul of what my great grandfather, Alvin York, was all about. She’s done extensive research, not only on Sgt. York, but interviews with the family, spending a lot of time in Pall Mall, getting to know the culture and the family and the story about the man behind the medals. This play captures Sgt. York's loyalty to God and country, and his service to the community. It's simply a wonderful play."

– Deborah York, Executive Director of the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation

and great-granddaughter of Alvin York

"If you have the opportunity, you really should check out Sergeant York: The Play.It's incredibly historically accurate, and true to the essence of Sgt. York's story. Seeing this play is a great opportunity to learn more about a true American hero."

– Joshua Waggener, Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park Manager

“Lisa Soland's wonderful new play tells the story of WWI war hero Alvin York. The play is full of folksy humor and wisdom as Sgt. York recounts his life from his boyhood on a poor Tennessee farm to his hard-drinking days and eventually the rediscovery of his faith. It was this faith that caused him much anguish when called to war, but he became America's greatest war hero though he never saw himself as such. Sergeant York: The Play is always entertaining, but is also a powerful statement on the nature of war and the power of faith.”

–– Peter Colley, Playwright/Screenwriter/Librettist

"Sergeant York: The Play is real good. A lot of that stuff the character of Alvin said in the play, I heard Daddy say all the time.”

–– Andrew Jackson York, son of Alvin York

Photo taken on world premiere of SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY, April 20, 2018, to a very appreciative audience. Members of Alvin York's descendants were in attendance!

From left to right: Greg Helton (actor), Angela York (granddaughter of Alvin), Andrew Jackson York (son of Alvin), Lisa Soland (playwright/director), Gerald York (grandson of Alvin), Gage York (great grandson) and Gerry York, (grandson). Photo by Steve Wilson.

SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY

Performances...

SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY world premiered in the Hub at West Park, Knoxville, Tennessee

and then toured the state of Tennessee and beyond.

Pall Mall, Tennessee –– May 27, 2018 @ 3 pm central time
Ben Atchley Veteran's Home, Knoxville, TN –– May 30, 2018 @ 2 pm
Blount County Library in Maryville, TN –– June 4, 2018 @ 7 pm
Elm Croft Senior Living, Knoxville, TN –– June 5, 2018 @ 6:30 pm
Lincoln Museum on LMU campus, Harrogate, TN –– June 15, 2018 @ 7 pm
KARM Homeless Shelter Downtown Knoxville –– June 26, 2018 @ 7 pm
Tate & Lyle Performing Arts Center, 1470 Robertson Springs Rd. Loudon, TN –– July 1, 2018 @ 3 pm
Alvin C. York Institute, 701 N. Main St. Jamestown, TN –– July 4, 2018 @ 2 pm Central Time (free BBQ lunch @ 12 Noon)
First Baptist Church of Friendsville, 403 N. Farnum St. Friendsville, TN –– August 5, 2018 @ 3 pm
First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN –– August 17 @ 7:30 pm, August 18 @ 2 pm, August 18 @ 7:30 pm. Cost is $15. Proceeds go to help Puerto Rico's recovery.
Christ Our Savior Church, 260 Wade Road W, Loudon, TN 37774 — September 16, 2018 @ 3 pm
October 5, 2018 — The Hub at West Park Baptist Church, 8833 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville — October 5, 2018 @ 7:30 pm
October 21, 2018 @ 2 pm — Dickson High School, 509 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN — $5, no reservations needed
November 11, 2018 @ 3 pm — First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN — no charge, donation only
November 16, 2018 @ 7 pm — Park Avenue Armory, Honoring WWI Vets, 643 Park Ave. New York, NY — private event
November 17, 2018 @ 8 pm — 13th Street Repertory Theatre, 50 W. 13th St., New York, NY — public invited
December 2, 2018 @ 2 pm — Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 400 Everett Road, Farragut, TN — free

Lisa Soland's play,

SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY has been running since April 20, 2018. To watch actor GREG HELTON's interview on WBIR...