Mayzie La Bird, who has an egg she should be sitting on and nurturing, wants to shirk her motherly responsibilities to go have fun. She tries to sing to Horton (of “Horton Hears a Who” fame) to convince him to sit on her nest so she can take a break.
“Now I’m bored and I’m cranky and tired sitting day after day,” Golden Triangle Theatre student Emma Williams, playing La Bird, sang.
“Who knew so much work was required? I’d much rather play. I need a vacation. I’m due for some rest. Hey, Horton, would you maybe like to sit on my nest?”
Williams, along with fellow New Hope High School student Jeremiah Williams, performed a scene from “Seussical Jr.” for the Exchange Club of Columbus on Thursday at Lion Hills Center. Both are in the Golden Triangle Theatre’s Rising Stars Program.
Executive Director Garrett Torbert said the youth show will be staged in November, supported by a youth program that has grown from just 15 students to more than 100 since the community theater group started in 2021.
“We’re working to inspire young performers to go on not only perform here, but to pursue careers in performing,” Torbert told The Dispatch. “But moreso, we’re providing an opportunity for young people in the community to cultivate their gifts and abilities in an environment that is accepting and safe.”
The demonstration also aimed to get club members excited for the opening of “Steel Magnolias” on Friday night. Torbert said “Steel Magnolias” will be the first non-musical play the theater group will perform.
“There are six lovely, amazing women who … are from all different backgrounds,” Torbert said. “They have all learned and worked together on how to make a production happen. We are super excited about that.”
Show director Sara Wade said the stage show is different from the movie, as it is all based out of Truvy’s beauty salon, but it still focuses on the characters Clairee Belcher, M’Lynn Eatenton, Shelby Eatenton, Truvy Jones, Ouiser Boudreaux and Annelie Dupuy-Desoto.
Wade said the show depends on the chemistry among these characters, as well as the women who play them. Celsie Staggers, Lindsay Clemons, Audrey Littlejohn, Latoia Johnson, Midge Maloney and Lizzy Mortenson Wade make up the cast.
“It is an ensemble of six women,” Wade said. “These women, some of them have been involved in theater; some of them, this is their first production. Some of them have known each other for years, and some have met through this production. But you can just see the chemistry onstage between these women. They have all become friends and have lifted each other up.”
Golden Triangle Theatre is staging three performances of “Steel Magnolias” this weekend at the Lyceum at Lee, 1815 Military Road. The show starts at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets are available online at www.goldentriangletheatre.com/.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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