Carey Dinner Theatre to Celebrate 33rd Season in June
HATTIESBURG, Miss., May 09, 2008 - “Make them laugh, make them cry, and back to laughter. What do people go to the theatre for? An emotional exercise,” said American actress Mary Pickford. If this is true William Carey University’s Carey Dinner Theatre (CDT) has been true to Pickford’s comment, causing audiences to laugh, cry, and sing along for 32 years. This tradition will continue as CDT celebrates its 33rd season in June and July with two musicals for Pine Belt audiences.
“Mississippi’s unique dinner theatre,” CDT will present “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming,” the third offering in the popular Connie Ray-written series of musical comedies. This sequel, set in 1945 in the Blue Ridge Mountains and featuring the Sanders Family Singers, will be performed June 12 through 28. Using bluegrass and gospel music, “Homecoming” focuses on the return of the Sanders Family Singers to the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where they are set to bid farewell to Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe and his pregnant wife June, and welcome son Dennis to Oglethorpe’s pulpit as the new preacher. Filled with the best of bluegrass and gospel music as well as down home country humor, “Homecoming” is fun for the entire family. The play was conceived by Alan Bailey and arranged by Mike Craver.
The second production is “Red Hot and Cole,” based on the music of Cole Porter, which will run July 8 through 19. “Red Hot and Cole” celebrates the work of the great American songwriter who brought elegance and style to the stages and sound stages of Broadway and Hollywood. Described as cheerful, clever, and bright, the revue tells the story of Porter’s life through use of his biography and more than thirty of his classic songs, including “Anything Goes,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “In the Still of the Night,” “It’s Delovely,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” “I Love Paris,” “Begin the Beguine,” and “What Is This Thing Called Love.” “Red, Hot and Cole” illuminates Cole’s birth in Peru, his life in Indiana and later in Paris, his celebrity friendships, and his amazing talent. Book and musical arrangements are by James Bianchi, Muriel McAuley, Randy Strawderman, and Dougee Zeno.
Established in 1975 Carey Dinner Theatre began as a unique entertainment experience and continues its uniqueness today. A buffet is catered, the tables are lit by candles, and patrons are served by members of the cast and crew, thus creating a more intimate experience between company member and audience. Members of the company, cast and crew leave at the end of the season with a professional, yet educationally sound opportunity to express their talents.
CDT offers audiences a rare opportunity to enjoy a quality production in a relaxed environment. Reservations are required and should be made well in advance for both shows. CDT is performed in the O. L. Quave Theatre nightly at 7 p.m. and tickets can be reserved by calling 601-318-6221 beginning Monday, June 2. The admission price of $25 includes the buffet meal, program book and show.