Get ready for a new year at NLT

Layne Taylor

Published Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Greetings, Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Thank you for making Natchez Little Theatre’s 61st Season a record breaker with over 23,000 patrons attending our eight productions this past year and helping to make NLT the tourist attraction of the year.

As the oldest community theater in the state, having entertained audiences since 1932, not many theaters are as fortunate as NLT to have such outstanding community support, an international audience, original productions and shows that have been aired on Mississippi Public Broadcast and National Public Broadcast.

It takes a whole lot of volunteers to make it all possible and NLT would like to thank all those from our community who helped throughout the season, with the Yale Whiffenpoof Concert, the Mississippi Theatre Association Conference and Standing Ovation Awards. Special thanks to Co-Lin, Natchez campus for all the student volunteers that have helped with our box office; The Natchez Democrat, Comcast Spotlight as well as the River and the Gator radio stations for all their publicity.

Natchez Little Theatre’s 2009 Summer Youth Workshop is well under way with its preparation for our 62nd season opening production of the beloved musical classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” that opens the season on July 30.

Nearly 50 young people are participating from all over this region and NLT is thrilled that so many continue to participate throughout the year. We are very proud of our student matinees that attract thousands of young people from schools throughout Mississippi and Louisiana as well as our partnership with the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration.

The 62nd Season will bring five musicals to NLT’s stage during 2009 and 2010: “The Wizard of Oz;” the world premiere of the Broadway bound musical, “Fauntleroy,” by Natchez native, Chandler Warren; NLT’s original holiday musical, “A Natchez Christmas Carol;” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” in cooperation with the NLCC; and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s favorite, “The King and I.”

Comedy and drama will also unfold with productions of “The Importance of Bein’ Earnest,” an adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic by Ted Swindley, author of “Always…Patsy Cline;” Lorraine Hansberry’s famous drama, “A Raisin in the Sun;” and the comedy about Natchez and the Pilgrimage, “Southern Exposure.”

Season memberships are on sale now through July 18, by calling NLT at 601-442-2233 or going online to www.natcheztheatre.com.

There are membership levels for all pocketbooks starting at $40 and going up to corporate sponsorships.

Our outstanding membership, sponsorships, board of directors and community support are consistently recognized by the Mississippi Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Theatre Association and the American Association of Community Theatres. This support is integral to NLT’s ability to receive grants that allow us to present over 100 productions of our eight season shows, host a Summer Youth Workshop and bring in guest artists such as the Yale Whiffenpoofs, Robert Williams and Anthony Neumann.

Show your support for this outstanding non-profit organization that has done so much to enrich all of our lives artistically and economically. Join NLT today or advertise your business in our season program and on our Web site, visited by over 47,000 this year.

I hope to see you at NLT soon!

Layne Taylor is the executive and artistic director of the Natchez Little Theatre.