Natchez Little Theatre, Mississippi’s oldest community theater, will present its fifth show of the 63rd season, the hilarious theatrical comedy, “Moon Over Buffalo,” this Thursday through Sunday.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. for a matinee performance on Sunday at the Natchez Little Theatre at 319 Linton Ave. at the intersection with Maple Street.

Tickets are $15. For reservations, please call the theatre at 601-442-2233 or toll free at 877-440-223 or purchase tickets online at www.natcheztheatre.org.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Natchez Little Theatre will present a benefit preview performance as a fundraiser for the Historic Natchez Foundation and the Natchez Downtown Development Association.

Tickets for this special performance are only $10 with all proceeds going to the two organizations. Refreshments will be served from 6 p.m. until show time in the Millstein Room at the theatre. Tickets will be for sale at the door or can be purchased at the Historic Natchez Foundation office at 108 S. Commerce St. between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Moon Over Buffalo,” written by Ken Ludwig, premiered on Broadway in 1995 and starred Carol Burnett and Philip Bosco as George and Charlotte Hays, traveling actors performing “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Private Lives” in a repertory theatre in Buffalo, N.Y. Charlotte yearns for stardom as a Hollywood film star, but George considers live theatre superior to film.

George receives a phone call from famous film director Frank Capra who plans to see the couple perform with the thought of using them as replacements for the stars of his current film. When George tells Charlotte the news, she fails to believe him because she has just learned that George has had an affair with one of their actors, who is pregnant with George’s child. Charlotte tells George that she is leaving and George, despondent, gives up hope and turns to alcohol to drown his misery.

When Charlotte reads the news about Capra losing the lead actors in his new film, she returns to the theatre, only to learn that George has left. She and her daughter contact all the bars in the city but are unable to find him. As George returns and the play progresses, cases of mistaken identities and drunken behavior bring the play to a hilarious conclusion.

The Broadway production of Moon over Buffalo garnered two Tony nominations. Don Vesterse directs the Natchez production and also designed and constructed the sets of the fast-paced comedy. Cast members are Bennie Boone, Bo Allen, Debbie Boykin, Leigh Anne Mason, Trey Price, Arden McMillin, Wade Heatherly and NLT newcomer, Darrick Garrity. Rose Temple is assistant director and Layne Taylor manages sound and lighting.

Start the New Year off with a good laugh and see “Moon Over Buffalo.” I look forward to seeing you there!

Anna Rife is the secretary of Natchez Little Theatre.