Good morning Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Natchez Little Theatre’s seventh annual Standing Ovation Awards, celebrating the best of the 62nd season and the many volunteers that made it possible, will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Little Theatre at 319 Linton Ave.

The gala is a fundraiser for Natchez Little Theatre, a non-profit organization and Mississippi’s oldest community theatre that has been entertaining since 1932. More than 23,000 people attended NLT’s eight productions during the 62nd season.

Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres donated by local chefs, restaurants and caterers, wine, champagne, a silent auction and live entertainment celebrating the hits of the 62nd season’s five musicals and a sneak preview of the upcoming 63rd season’s four musicals. The awards ceremonies will make a memorable evening of fun, food and music. Rusty Jenkins will once again serve as the master of ceremonies for the gala evening with the lovely Lynn Mann, NLT vice president of production as his able assistant.

Entertainment will feature Mease Banks, Courtney Hicks, John Ashton Hicks, Ginger Hyland, Giovanna Little, Darlene McCune, Arden McMillan, Colby Passman, Taylor Spring, Alethea Stewart and Danielle Thornton, who will perform songs from the musicals “Beauty and the Beast,” “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Big River,” “Fauntleroy,” “The King & I,” “A Natchez Christmas Carol,” “The Secret Garden,” and “The Wizard of Oz.”

The winners of 24 awards are determined by eligible members of Natchez Little Theatre who have attended all of the season’s eight productions. The final nominees are selected from all the participants of NLT’s 62nd season productions and narrowed down by the NLT awards committee and board of directors.

Natchez Little Theatre would like to thank the many businesses and organizations who have supported NLT financially over the past season, and especially the NLT’s executive producers. Their support makes possible the many youth programs and performances offered for more than 10,000 students throughout the year from Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as the benefit performances for other local non-profit organizations.

We hope you will come to Natchez Little Theatre’s seventh annual Standing Ovation Awards Gala Saturday to find out the winners of the 24 golden trophies and celebrate Natchez’ leading tourist attraction as well as the more than 150 volunteers who put in more than 100 hours of community service per show to entertain you and the guests who visit our fair city.

All tickets are $15, and remember this is a fundraiser, so bring your checkbook, Visa or MasterCard and come prepared to bid on some exciting silent auction items and renew or join Natchez Little Theatre as it celebrates it 78th year of entertainment. Season memberships will not be available after this event. Reservations for the gala may be made by calling 601-442-2233, toll free at 1-877-440-2233, or purchase them and memberships online at www.natcheztheatre.org.

I hope to see you at NLT.

Layne Taylor is the NLT artistic and executive director.