"PAT" the PLAY
(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.)
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.
(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.)
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.
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
SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY world premiered in the Hub at West Park, Knoxville, Tennessee
and then toured the state of Tennessee and beyond.
Lisa Soland's play,
SERGEANT YORK: THE PLAY has been running since April 20, 2018. To watch actor GREG HELTON's interview on WBIR...