Good Morning Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Natchez Little Theatre 62nd Season is proud to present the world premiere of the Broadway-bound musical, “Fauntleroy,” book and lyrics by Natchez native Chandler Warren and music by Robert W. Miles. This is a rare and unique opportunity for our community to be first to see a production before it travels the nation in route to Broadway.

“Fauntleroy” is a musical version of the world-famous novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, “Little Lord Fauntleroy”, which tells the story of an elderly British Earl, played by me, who realizes that he has to make some provision for the passage of his title and property to his heir and is chagrined that his only heir as far as he knows is an 11-year-old American boy, Cedric Errol, played by 8-year old Colby Passman, whose mother is also American, a circumstance the old Earl doesn’t like at all.

However, he sends his solicitor to retrieve the boy.  The story is the unfolding of the relationship between grandfather and grandson with a plot twister insertion of another claimant to the title who threatens to usurp the title of Lord Fauntleroy.

Two love stories have been created that intertwine with the main story plot, one between the boy’s mother, Dearest, played by Gwen Ball and the Earl’s solicitor, Havisham, portrayed by Jason Dauphin, and the other a love story concerning the mother’s maid, Mary, played by Giovanna Little, and an English servant who works in the castle.

The show’s author, Chandler Warren, has traveled back and forth from Los Angeles overseeing the production that has been in the works for a dozen years. “Fauntleroy” is directed by Tommy Jackson with musical direction by the incredible Donna Schaffer. The musicians for the production include George Piazza on percussion, Louis DeVries on bass, Brandon Robinson on woodwinds and Russian brother and sister violinists, Anton and Vera Zholondz, students at Alcorn State University. Don Vesterse has done another fabulous job creating Tommy Jackson’s creative sets with James Wesley Forde on lighting and sound.

The cast is comprised of Ginger Hyland as Minna; Rusty Jenkins as Thomas; Ryan McGaughey as Freddy; Casey Gilbert as Mr. Hobbs; Dwight Williams as Dick; and Don Vesterse, Laurie Williams, Edwin Ward, Hunter Smith, Lynn Mann, Shelby Millican and Darrick Little. The production is being stage managed by Vesterse, Mann and Roy Skinner.

Miles’ music is exquisite and pays homage to the great composers of Broadway from the earlier part of the 20th century. The tunes and lyrics are memorable and the show is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Schaffer’s orchestration bring the period of the play, the end of the 19th Century to life on stage at NLT.

Performances begin with a preview/benefit performance for the Stewpot on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. and tickets for this performance are $10 per person with all proceeds going to the Stew Pot. Opening night is Saturday, Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. and “Fauntleroy” will run every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at 8 p.m. throughout the Natchez Fall Pilgrimage, Sept. 26 – Oct. 10. “Fauntleroy” will close on Sunday, Oct. 11, with a 2 p.m. matinee. All tickets are $15 and should be reserved by calling NLT at 601/442-2233; toll free at 1/877-440-2233 or online at www.natcheztheatre.org.

NLT and “Fauntleroy” are partially funded by the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment of the Arts, a federal agency. Additional funding has come from Executive Producers: Adams County Board of Supervisors; Comcast Spotlight; Hampton Inn & Suites; King of Hearts Tuxedos and the Bridal Shop and The Natchez Democrat; and Producers: Copiah-Lincoln Community College; the Gator Radio; Dr. Ed Gaudet; Isle of Capri Casino Hotel; KFNV River Radio; the Natchez Eola Hotel and Guest House; Dr. David A. Timm; and United Mississippi Bank.

I hope to see you at the world premiere of “Fauntleroy!”

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