Greetings, Natchez and the Miss-Lou! Spring has sprung and Natchez Spring Pilgrimage is ready to begin.

Natchez Little Theatre is ready to present the 51st anniversary production of the classic 1950s romantic comedy about Natchez and the Pilgrimage, “Southern Exposure.”

Performances are at 8 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evening throughout the Spring Pilgrimage March 10 through April 14. There will be a final 2 p.m. show, Sunday, April 15.

Tickets are $15 and should be reserved by calling the Natchez Little Theatre, located at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street at 601-442-2233, toll free at 1-877-440-2233 or purchase online at www.natcheztheatre.org.

There will be a benefit/preview performance at 7 p.m. Friday as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, and tickets for that performance are $10 with all proceeds going to aid that local non-profit organization.

“Southern Exposure” had its Natchez premiere in 1951 and has been an annual part of the Pilgrimage since 1964, with more than 1,326 performances for 51 years and an audience of well more than 320,000.

“Southern Exposure” has an exciting cast of veterans and newcomers making up two casts. Penelope Mayweather, the owner of Mayweather Hall is played by award-winning actresses, Lynn Man and Yvonne Murray; Avery Randall, Penelope’s banker/cousin is once again played by Rusty Jenkins and Bo Allen takes on the role for the first time; Pj Forrest and Rose Temple portray tour guide Mary Belle Tucker; Jonathan Douglas, a.k.a. John Salguod, is played by Dwight Williams for all performances; Penelope’s young cousin, Carol Randall is Arden McMillin and Kaytlyn Walker; and Carol’s domineering mother, Emmeline, is played by veteran actresses Bennie Boone and Laurie Williams.

Appearing as Australia, Miss Penelope’s hilarious housekeeper, is Alethea Shelton and Diamond Nicholson. I am playing Benjamin Carter, John’s New York publisher and some of the tourist roles for all performances.

Playing the multitude of tourists who wreak havoc on Mayweather Hall and Miss Penelope are Lindsey Allen, Peter Bland, LaShane Buck, Hannah Cormier, Jennifer Chapman, Lee Dellinger, Julie Emerick, Jaelin Jones, Bianca McCoy, Ann Sternberg, Abrina Temple, Michael Ware and Roderick Whitley. I am the director of the production and designed and constructed the sets. Michael Ware is my assistant director and the lights and sound are being run by Wade Heatherly, Layne Taylor, Rose Temple and Steen Williams.

Not many communities are as fortunate as Natchez is to have such a delightfully, popular play written about them.

NLT’s greatest compliment is the large numbers of patrons, both local and from around the country that return year after year to see the subtle changes to the production that keep it fresh, entertaining and the audiences rolling in the aisles.

If you haven’t seen “Southern Exposure” during its 51 year history at NLT; this is the year to do it.

Hope to see y’all at “Southern Exposure!”

 

Don Vesterse is the Natchez Little Theatre technical director/general manager and director of “Southern Exposure.”