"PAT" the PLAY
"Trust me, this is a MUST SEE. Please make a date night to attend. Lisa captures Pat Summitt and her struggle with Alzheimer’s in a most poignant and powerful performance. You don’t want to miss this opportunity."
— Roger Cunningham
"I have a deep appreciation for entertaining theater that is both tasteful and transformative. I also love the Lady Vols. basketball team. Never did I imagine these two passions would come together, but playwright and actress Lisa Soland has brilliantly captured the essence of Pat Summitt in her play 'PAT.' Not only does Ms. Soland physically resemble Summitt, but her internal passion and intensity while in character are also striking. The play goes beyond mere storytelling; it inspires and uplifts the human spirit. Isn't this production timely? Don’t miss it!"
— Joan Cronan
Performance Dates:
Oct. 3 to Oct. 26.
Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Sundays at 2:30 pm.
On Oct. 25, Saturday, the show will be at 2:30 pm (not 7:30 pm)
Page Title
(#1. 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.)
(#3. Debby Jennings, Lady Vols' first director of media relations, Lisa Soland, actor/playwright, and Joan Cronan, Women's Athletic Director Emeritus for UT.)
The Three Playreadings
(#2. Roger Cunningham, Carol Mayo Jenkins, Calvin MacLean, Misty Cunningham, Greg Helton,
and Lisa Soland.)
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.)
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.
"PAT," starring @Lisa_Soland, opens Oct. 3, 2025, and runs through Oct. 26 at
Old City Performing Arts Center 111 State St. Knoxville, Tennessee.