Natchez Little Theatre, 319 Linton Ave. at Maple St., will celebrate the spring season by presenting two productions, the annual 1950s romantic comedy about Natchez the Pilgrimage, “Southern Exposure,” in its 59th year at Natchez Little Theatre, and the 1850s romantic mystery, “The Heiress.”

“Southern Exposure,” tells the hilarious story of fictional Mayweather Hall and its residents. It is directed by award-winning veteran NLT director, Don Vesterse, and will run every Saturday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. from March 17 through April 14. All tickets will be $15 each for non-members of NLT.

Set in springtime in Natchez, tourists are swarming through the historic mansions. In Mayweather Hall, Penelope Mayweather, played by NLT award-winning actress Yvonne Murray, is horrified by the tourists led through her home by an energetic guide, Marybelle Tucker, played by Amy Dewitt.

Thus, when young author, John Salguod, played by award-winning actor Devin Arnold, turns up, she is persuaded to take him in as a roomer. However, John is not who he claims to be and Penelope’s efforts to keep him hidden from her neighbors are frustrated when Carol, her soon-to-be-married pretty, young cousin, played by NLT veteran and award-winning actress, Katie Borum, and NLT newcomer Susannah Burrell, comes to spend the night.

When her parents discover she stayed a second night, scandal looms. The irate parents, played by Amanda Pintard Dill and Bo Allen as Emmeline and Avery Randall, blaming Penelope, threaten to take over Mayweather Hall. Meanwhile, John finds Penelope’s diary, which she wrote over a period of 40 years, giving embarrassing details about most of the town’s citizens. John’s publisher, Benjamin Carter, played by Don Vesterse, arrives on the first morning of the Pilgrimage and offers Penelope a fabulous sum for her memoirs and Mayweather Hall is out of hock.

The remainder of the cast is Courtney Fleming as Australia, Penelope’s longtime housekeeper and best friend, and a group of hilarious tourists portrayed by Morgan Baskin, Ginny Borum, Kenny Dewitt, Michael McCalip, Addison Laird, Tim Leak, Janet McNeely, Julia Richardson and Jonathan Rosso.

“The Heiress,” based on the mid-19th century romantic novel by Henry James, “Washington Square,” was adapted by Ruth and August Goetz in 1947. Considered the perfect well-made play, it is one of Broadway’s most popular revivals. “The Heiress” will be performed at NLT at Sundays and Tuesdays, March 18 through April 15 at 7:30 p.m. during the Spring Pilgrimage except on Easter Sunday, April 1, when there will be no performance at NLT. The final performance on Sunday, April 15, is a 2 p.m. matinee.  All tickets are $15 each for non-members of NLT.

Directed by NLT veteran and award-winning director, Layne Taylor, “The Heiress” tells the story of the Sloper family that live on prestigious Washington Square.  In the 1850s young Catherine Sloper, played by award-winning and veteran actress Hannah Hargis, lives with her father, Dr. Austin Sloper, played by veteran award-winning actor Stacey Cardin. Catherine’s father blames her for the death of her mother, who died giving birth to her.

Morris Townsend, played by NLT newcomer Eli Smith, courts her. Her father believes he’s after her inheritance. Austin takes his daughter to Europe for six months, believing that either Morris or his daughter will give up.

On their return, Dr. Sloper sees nothing has changed and threatens to disinherit her if she marries Morris. Catherine suggests to Morris that they elope; but she also mentions the threat of disinheritance. Morris leaves to get his things, but does not return. Three days later, Dr. Sloper realizes he is mortally ill and tries to reconcile with Catherine.

Two years later Morris returns to a now-rich Catherine. She seems to forgive him and tells him to go fetch his things, so they can elope.  Will they, or won’t they? There is only one way to find the answer.

The remainder of the cast is Judy Wiggins as Aunt Lavinia Penniman, Melinda Ballard as Aunt Elizabeth Almond, Anna Rodriguez as Maria, Haley Howington as Marian Almond, Rachel Lindsey as Mrs. Montgomery and Alex Walters as Arthur Townsend.

Advance ticket sales are good for both Pilgrimage productions, so reservations are recommended by calling NLT at 601-442-2233 or you may purchase your tickets securely online at natcheztheatre.org.  Don’t miss these two spectacular productions and they beautiful sets and costumes.
Layne Taylor is NLT artistic and executive director.