Greetings, Natchez and the Miss-Lou. The weather outside may be frightful, but Spring has sprung at Natchez Little Theatre; Natchez Spring Pilgrimage is ready to begin; the azaleas are blooming at Mayweather Hall and NLT is ready to present for the 53rd year the classic 1950s romantic comedy about Natchez and Pilgrimage, “Southern Exposure.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday throughout Spring Pilgrimage from Saturday through April 8.

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 natcheztheatre.org.

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

“Southern Exposure” had its Natchez premiere in 1951 and has been an annual part of the Spring Pilgrimage since 1964, with more than 1,400 performances for 53 years and an audience of nearly 300,000.

“Southern Exposure” has an exciting cast of veterans and newcomers making up two casts. Penelope Mayweather, the owner of Mayweather Hall, is played by Laurie Williams and Pj Forrest; Avery Randall, Penelope’s banker/cousin is played by Rusty Jenkins and Stacey Carden; Andrea Cater and Jarielle Gibson portray tour guide Mary Belle Tucker; Jonathan Douglas, a.k.a. John Salguod, is played by Dwight Williams and Lee Dellinger; Penelope’s young cousin, Carol Randall is Arden McMillin and Melissa Carter; and Carol’s domineering mother, Emmeline, is played by Morgan Mizell for all performances.

Appearing as Australia, Miss Penelope’s hilarious housekeeper are two newcomers to the role, ShuNaiqua Ellison and Morgan Baskin. Adrian Bernotti and Mike Thomas are Benjamin Carter, John’s New York publisher.

Playing the multitude of tourists who wreak havoc on Mayweather Hall and Miss Penelope are Steven Atkins, Derek Braswell, Melissa Cavin, Steve Davis, ShuNaiqua Ellison, Hannah Hargis, Karlyn Ritchie, Terrence Robinson, Ann Sternberg and Don Vesterse.

This is my second year directing this production and was thrilled to win best director for directing the show last season.

Don Vesterse has built yet another beautiful Mayweather Hall and has served as my assistant director and the lights and sound are being run by Jamie and Robbie Hargis.

Natchez is fortunate to have such a funny/farcical, popular play written about our biggest tourist event and the large numbers of patrons, both local and from around the country, that return year after year to see the changes are a compliment to Natchez Little Theatre, Mississippi’s oldest community theatre, celebrating 82 years of outstanding entertainment and local talent.

If you haven’t seen “Southern Exposure” over its 53-year history at NLT, I don’t know what you’re waiting for.

Come see it, and from reservations, it is going to be one busy Pilgrimage.

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

 

Bo Allen is the director of “Southern Exposure.”