Greetings, Natchez and the Miss-Lou!

Natchez Little Theatre is proud to open its 70th Season celebrating 86 years of entertainment this weekend with Disney’s beloved family musical, “Winnie the Pooh,” performed by the participants of NLT’s 2017 Winter Youth Workshop.

Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” is a delightful show based on the beloved characters of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated feature film. Featuring favorite songs from the film, as well as new hits by the Academy Award-winning Robert and Kristen Lopez (“Frozen”). This honey-filled delight is as sweet as it is fun.

Welcome to the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh (played by Gianna Tuccio) is once again in search of honey.  Along the way, Pooh meets pals, Tigger (Parker Claire Maxwell), Piglet (Tatum Brumfield), Rabbit (Adair Carey), Kanga (Liza Gregg), Roo (Helen Smith), Eeyore (Vincent White) and Owl (Anabella Laird), but soon discovers that Christopher Robin (Xander Tipton) has been captured by the mysterious Backson. As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship and, of course… sharing snacks.

The Busy Bees who make Pooh’s cherished honey act as the narrators throughout the show and are performed by Taylor Ferguson, Haley Mize, Parker Mize, Trent Robinson, Xander Tipton and Maggie Waddill.  Terrence Robinson serves as the musical director and Don Vesterse as the advisory assistant director as well as constructed the sets.  Phillip Delavergne will run lights and sound.

“Winnie the Pooh” is directed and choreographed by Katie Borum, who is making her directorial debut with this production.  Katie has performed at NLT since she was 8 years old, winning numerous Standing Ovation Awards for her acting and began choreographing at NLT with “Romeo & Juliet,” and won the Standing Ovation Award for Choreography for last season’s “The Jungle Book.”

She is the youngest director in NLT history at 17 and will be graduating this spring from Trinity Episcopal School.  After graduation Katie will attend the University of Southern Mississippi on a full academic scholarship to pursue a bachelor of fine arts in Theatre.

Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and closes at 2 p.m. Sunday at Natchez Little Theatre at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street.

All tickets are $15 for non-members of Natchez Little Theatre.

Monday, the show will be performed three times for local area school children.  For reservations call NLT at 601-442-2233 or purchase your tickets securely in advance on-line at natcheztheatre.org.

Come see the fabulous youth of our community outshine and outperform many of our adult performers in “Winnie the Pooh.”  You don’t need to be related to these incredibly talented young people to appreciate their performance or this production.

We look forward to seeing you at “Winnie the Pooh”
Layne Taylor is the artistic and executive director for Natchez Little Theatre.