Southport Magazine

From the Historic Amuzu Theater in downtown Southport to Brunswick Little Theatre’s new home just up 133 to the beautiful Odell Williamson Auditorium on the campus of Brunswick Community College, a celebration of local talent is just minutes away over the next two months.

Your first chance to be entertained is coming up later this month as the Brunswick Little Theatre presents “Too Old For The Chorus, But Not Too Old To Be A Star” at their home theatre at 8068 River Road SE, Southport. The show opens Friday, November 18 and runs three weekends, taking off the weekend of Thanksgiving. Evening performances are on November 18 and 19, and December 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7:30 pm. Matinees are offered November 19 and 20 and December 11 at 3:00 pm. Doors open a half hour prior to show time with the box office opening a half hour before that. Tickets are $20 for
adults, $12 for students and are available online at www.brunswicklittletheatre.com , at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport and at Sugar Confections Bakery in Shallotte. The Brunswick Little Theatre seats approximately 100 in comfort with good views all around. Some shows, especially matinee performances, will likely sell out, so while some tickets may be available at the door, it’s best to buy ahead.

Director Debbie Skillman describes Too Old For The Chorus, But Not Too Old To Be A Star as “a musical revue in a cabaret style that is funny, smart, and at times a touching exploration of the challenges of aging.”

She says, “I liken it to a coming of age story for those who have reached middle age. The revue is set in their neighborhood coffee shop and features a cast of five, three men and two women. Over the course of the show the friends share the full range of frustrations and joys that come with aging through dialogue and song.”

The show features a wide range of musical styles, Skillman says, running the gamut from bossa novas to sambas, ragtime to doo wop, rock to rap, and bluesy ballads to swing. The cast consists of gentlemen Rick Depetris, Tom Scribner and Geoff Gersen, joined by ladies Barbara Wood and Karri Copton. Skillman says her cast is a mix of locals and new residents with a varied experience in musical theatre.

“Three of the cast members just moved to Brunswick County in May of 2016. One has lived in Southport for 3 years and one has lived in Wilmington for twelve years. Three of cast the members are pursuing an interest they had in their youth but put aside to raise children and devote to careers, much like the characters in the show they are re-inventing themselves. Two of them are veterans of the stage and have performed in community theater groups in both Fort Wayne, Indiana and Wilmington, NC. Four of the cast members are new to Brunswick Little Theatre,” she says.

Also drawing from locals and transplants from all walks of life is the annual holiday show at Southport’s Historic Amuzu Theatre, Christmas at the Amuzu 2016.