The Three Playreadings

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. 2, 2025, and runs through Oct. 26 at

Old City Performing Arts Center 111 State St. Knoxville, Tennessee.

(#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.)

(#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.)

“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's new play

"PAT,"

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

Page Title

Performance Dates:

Oct. 2 to Oct. 26.

Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Sundays at 2:30 pm.