Marietta Lunceford

I am always happy to spread the good news about arts in our area. Here is an extremely informative and exciting press release from William- Michael Cooper and the Contemporary South Dance Company. I am happy to share it with BroadwayWorld.com readers. Congratulations to William- Michael Cooper and Contemporary South Dance Company. For more information on this amazing program go to http://www.contemporarysouthdance.com.

One of the oldest community theatres in the area is the Virginia Samford Theatre. When I was a child and first discovering my love of theatre, James Hatcher was the director of what had been called The Little Theatre and eventually became Town and Gown Theatre. Transformed time and time again, but always housed in the same building, VST has maintained the standard of excellence set by "Hatch" all of those years ago.

Birmingham Festival Theatre's 2016-17 season has a theme that connects all of their shows- All You Need Is Love. In a world that can be a little frightening, BFT wants you to remember that love is still around, just waiting on us to embrace it.

With youth workshops, and acting classes, a full and interesting season, a fundraiser this month for STEEL MAGNOLIAS, which is headed to competition, and a special event July 2017, South City Theatre is a busy place to be. Join in on all that is going on by checking out www.southcitytheatre.com or call 205-621-2128.

Something remarkable is always happening at Theatre Downtown and while some of their shows are not for everyone, all of their shows are done with creativity and an obvious love of theatre. Tickets are $18 for adults ($25 for musicals) and $12 for students ($20 for musicals.) For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.theatredowntown.org or call 205-565-8838.

I have looked forward to seeing MISS FANCY for almost a year. As I said in my interview with playwright and director Daniel Martin, I feel a strong connection to this story. All of us in Birmingham should feel a connection to MISS FANCY. She is the mascot for several businesses in the area. She is a part of our history and our folklore.

DADDY'S DYIN'... is a fast paced play with a touch of sentimentality, lots of crazy characters and a few laughs along the way. You always leave a Del Shores' show feeling better about the nuts in your own family. DADDY'S DYIN'... WHO'S GOT THE WILL? plays September 8- October 1. For more information go to www.terrificnewtheatre.com or call 205-328-0868 for tickets.

Daniel Martin has written several plays, but I have been most intrigued by Theatre Downtown's upcoming production MISS FANCY, which Daniel has written and directed. Our connection stems from the story of the Avondale elephant, Miss Fancy, and her legacy that contributed to the founding of the Birmingham Zoo, a place that played a big part in my childhood. I already have my ticket to see the world premiere of MISS FANCY and I hope that my readers will also want to see this interesting, new work. MISS FANCY opens on September 15 and runs through October 1st.  For more information about show times and to order tickets, go to www.theatredowntown.org or call 205-565-8838. Opening night includes a reception after the show.

The first time I met Todd Ponder was my very first audition after graduating from college in 2013. I could tell immediately that he was a nice guy and he helped to calm my nerves. Since then I have seen Todd Ponder in many roles on stage: the tough guy, the soft hearted, the scary guy, the every man. He can change his persona in an instant and has a wide range of voices and accents. He also sings!

History was made tonight as the Homewood Theatre had its first performance at the Dance Foundation. A NIGHT OF MUSIC was a cabaret type show featuring Homewood Theatre's founder Kyle Bass, along with Amy Johnson and Dana Porter.

This weekend the Montevallo Main Street Players present A 1940's RADIO VARIETY SHOW, featuring CASABLANCA. With only two more chances to see this show, August 13 at 7:30 and August 14 at 2, I would say if you want to step back to a simpler time call 665-9207, extension 6 for reservations. Although there was a good crowd Friday night, I would think you could take the chance and just head to Montevallo for a fun night out.

On Thursday, August 4 I was excited to be a judge for a new fundraising event for The Overflow Foundation. The Overflow Foundation is a non-profit that strives to teach students to flow past their limits by bringing the arts to areas that lack these subjects in their schools. With classes in acting, music, visual arts and reading, The Overflow Foundation has been working in the East Lake area of Birmingham for two years and hopes to expand to include Tarrant this coming school year. Their dream is to encourage students to step outside of their box and try new things that will make them better students and better people.

Central Alabama Theatre has a new home, at Steeple Arts Academy in the Crestline Village area of Mountain Brook. The space actually helped to inspire the first show there- SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. With its church pews and the pitched ceiling, the building actually becomes part of the pretty, well built set. I am not sure if there are any tickets left, the theatre was filled to overflowing last night. And rightly so- it was a great night of fun. I was actually disappointed when the show ended, I would have loved more stories and more music from this outstanding cast. Go to www.centralalabamatheatre.org or call 888-870-2477.  SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN runs this weekend and next, August 5-7 and 12-14.

South City Theatre's production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is silly and campy, but a great escape. It gives you the opportunity to dance, laugh out loud, and forget your humdrum life for a couple of hours. As usual with SCT these days, some shows are sold out already, so go to www.southcitytheatre.com or call 205-621-2128 as soon as you can to get reservations. Then get out your bell bottoms and get ready to have a blast!

Being uplifting and supportive is what Kyle Bass is all about and his new venture proves just that.On August 19 and 20 at 7:30 the new Homewood Theatre will present a NIGHT OF MUSIC at the Dance Foundation in Homewood. Featuring the incomparable Amy Johnson, Kyle Bass and Dana Porter singing some of our favorite standards and show tunes, it promises to be a great kick off for the newly formed Homewood Theatre. With tickets only $15 and very limited, it promises to be a night of excellent entertainment you don't want to miss. Go to www.homewoodtheatre.com or call 205-873-1816 for tickets and information.

ACTA theatre is presenting SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL now through July 31. A mixture of characters from several different stories by Dr. Seuss, with a through line that involves Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and JoJo, a small boy from Whoville, SEUSSICAL is fast paced and fun. Running July 21, 22, 23 and 28, 29 and 30 at 7:00pm and July 24 and 31 at 2:30, contact the theatre at 205-655-3902 or go to www.actatheater.com for more information. Last night's audience was full, but with such a large cast that is to be expected. If you want to see SEUSSICAL you need to call asap!

While some of the subjects of my 'Actors Around Town' series have been performing since they were kids, others decided to step out of the box and try their hand at acting later on in life. This is the story of someone who was a little later than some to the realization of her dreams to perform.

After a traumatic few weeks for our nation and around the world, it was a delight to escape into the world of make believe watching Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, presented by Red Mountain Theatre Company. I was thrilled to be able to forget the horrors of the real world for a couple of hours and see a show where good triumphs over evil, where families from different worlds can accept their differences, put them aside and focus on love, and where everyone lives happily ever after. THE LITTLE MERMAID runs through July 31. For more information and tickets go to www.redmountaintheatre.org or call 205-324-2424.

After interviewing Carron Clem, I wasn't sure if I was more inspired or exhausted. Having lived an extraordinary life, Carron now does more in a day than most of us do in a week. Committed to her family and to the theatre, Carron is passionate about everything she does.

There are those people that just get your attention when they are on stage. Katie Milligan has done that every time I have seen her perform.