Register your child for our fall MUSICAL workshop NOW! South City Theatre’s Kid’s Program, ACTING UP! presents Roald Dahls James and the Giant Peach JR., playing at South City Theatre in Pelham, November 9th-11th. Students 8-18 are welcome to join our workshop will they will learn essential theatre techniques and skills including improv, acting, stage presence, singing, dancing, and more – leading up to a fun, musical performance for all ages to enjoy.
SCT’s fall workshop is led by Ms. Jess Smyly and her team of actors, singers, and dancers who have a passion for teaching the younger generation the art of PERFORMANCE! The workshop costs $275 and rehearsals begin on Saturday, September 9th. Rehearsals will be every Monday 6-8pm and Saturday 10am-12pm leading up to 4 performances.
Performance dates: Thursday, November 9th at 7pm, Friday, November 10th at 7pm, Saturday, November 11th at 2pm and Saturday, November 11th at 7pm.
When we produced the gospel musical Smoke on the Mountain in 2019, audiences raved and clamored for more, and we are obliging!
South City Theatre, Pelham’s award-winning community theatre, is staging the sequel to one of Branson, Missouri’s best loved shows when we tour “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming” to area churches this July.
Here’s how Branson describes the show:
“Smoke on the Mountain” is a … breath of fresh mountain air! It’s a drama, comedy, and gloriously good gospel music production, gift-wrapped and given to delighted audiences by a smart, but slightly off-kilter clan of church choir members – The Sanders Family Singers. Imagine the setting… a devoted congregation, an era just after World War II, a small town in North Carolina, and the Saturday night sing at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church is the biggest thing happening in town every week. Come on in for a sing-along with this talented collection of actors, singers, and musicians that make up the Sanders clan; they’ll entice you with more than 25 different classic gospel tunes, a tad bit of downright contagious laughter, and a few touching moments that just might shake a tear or two from the driest of eyes. They’re a slightly imperfect bunch, but they’re happy and lovable and generously talented!”
Fun for the entire family!
You have 5 opportunities to enjoy this nostalgically, heart-warming musical:
July 14 and 15, 2023 7:30 pm The Episcopal Church of the a Holy Spirit, 858 Kent Dairy Rd, Alabaster, 35007
July 21, 2023 7:30 pm Restore Campus, First United Methodist, Alabaster, 128 Market Street, Alabaster, 35007
July 22, 2023 7:30 pm First Christian Church, Birmingham, 4954 Valleydale Rd., Birmingham, 35242
July 23, 2023 2:00 pm Restore Campus, First United Methodist Church, 128 Market Street, Alabaster, 35007
We are pleased to announce the cast of Smoke on the Mountain: Homecoming. Vera— Madelyn Harbison Burl — Jim Billings Stanley — Clint Neville Denise — Jess Smyly Dennis — Ryan Gerrells June — Nancy Moore Estes Pastor Oglethorpe – Michael Wilbanks Musicians: John Allen Bankson – piano
This production is directed by Sue Ellen Gerrells, with musical direction by William Harper. Show dates are July 14-15, and 20-22, 2023 at 7:30 PM,
Start with the death of Aunt Eula Mae. Throw in a pinch of seance. Add an illegal immigrant hiding in the cellar. Stir in shady dealings at the Poultry Processing Plant. Mix it all with a missing two-carat diamond ring. Serve with a healthy dose of hilarity.
Written by local playwright, David Garrett, Covering Dish hasn’t been performed in the area in almost 25 years.
Directed by Donna Stinson Williamson, audition dates will be June 11 th 2:00 – 4:00 and June 12 th 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.
Show dates will be August 11, 12, 13, 18, and 19. Contact the director, Donna Williamson, at donna.williamson@southcitytheatre.com for additional information.
Rehearsal starts June 26.
Cast of Characters (ages are flexible but no one younger than 21) Lois Faye Dish Wallace – Southern homemaker 50ish Martha Sue Dish Pepperdine – oldest sister, has a little money and acts like it, 60ish Rita Wallace – Lois Faye’s daughter, down-on-her-luck and unemployed, 30ish Carl Wallace – Lois Faye’s son, late 20s to early 30s Viki Gilmore – Carl’s new girlfriend, works for the flower shop Becky Lee Dish – wannabe gospel singer Cordell Baleuh – Lois Faye’s nosy, hypochondriac next-door neighbor, 60+ Jean Marie Dish Finley – youngest sister, ditzy, 50ish Vernon Finley – Jean Marie’s husband, loud and bigoted, 50ish Dana Finley – Jean Marie and Vernon’s son, beautician, mid-20s Orell Tubbs – Vernon’s best friend Edith Ann Dish – a medium 50ish Inez Cortez – Orell’s fiancé, Spanish accent Hector Chavez – Inez’s ex-boyfriend, Spanish accent Luther Shibley – Manager of Chicken Processing Agent A – PFPA agent Agent C – PFPA agent Brother Samuel – Paster of the Highway 119 Baptist Church Church Ladies – various ages
Drumroll please! We are thrilled to announce our upcoming 2023/24 season at South City Theatre!
From classic thrillers to moving dramas and hilarious comedies, our 2023-2024 season is sure to leave you spellbound. And there are sure to be a few surprises along the way!
August: Covering Dish
October: Dracula
December: A Tuna Christmas
February: Crimes of the Heart
April: The Wild Women of Winedale
June: Catfish Moon
Stay tuned for more information on seasons tickets.
Would you like to be a director for the upcoming season? Send an email to donna.williamson@southcitytheatre.com with your resume by May 31, 2023, to be considered for the upcoming season.
South City Theatre and the Pelham BEAT are excited to present Love Letters, a poignant and entertaining play that explores the profound and enduring nature of love. The play revolves around two friends who have exchanged letters, cards, and notes with each other for more than half a century. But as they reflect on their lives and choices, they realize that they may have missed out on the love of their lives. This production is directed by Pat Yates and stars Sue Ellen Gerrells and Ron Dauphinee.
Love Letters is a heartwarming and humorous portrayal of the human experience of love, loss, and connection. It is a play that will leave audiences both laughing and crying. But that’s not all! The play is presented alongside a sumptuous dinner and dessert. The menu includes a delicious chicken marsala dish, consisting of grilled chicken breast sautéed in a creamy mushroom marsala sauce served with garlic mashed potatoes and streamed broccoli. For dessert, indulge in some strawberry shortcake. A cash bar will also be available for those who wish to have a drink.
The event will take place at the Banquet Hall of the Civic Complex & Ice Arena, starting at 6 PM. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a delightful evening of entertainment, food, and drinks with friends and loved ones.
Don’t miss this chance to experience Love Letters and indulge in a delicious meal with great company!
➡Deadline to register: June 15th ➡For students 6-18 ➡Tuition: $400 for two weeks + Tshirt, sibling discount available ($50 deposit due upon registration) ➡Camp dates are June 19-23, 2023 and June 26-30, 2023 ➡Classes will meet between 9am – 3pm ➡Location: Restore Campus, 128 Market Center Dr, Alabaster, AL 35007
Over the course of two weeks, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of theatre classes including acting, singing, dancing, and improv. Our experienced instructors will teach them all the tricks of the trade and help them develop their skills. The camp will culminate in a showcase performance where your child will have the opportunity to show off their new skills and perform in front of family and friends. But it’s not just about the performance. Participation in theatre has been proven to have many benefits for children. It helps to build confidence, improve public speaking skills, develop social skills, and foster creativity.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up your child for our theatrical summer camp and watch them grow in confidence and creativity!
Thursday’s April 20 performance has been cancelled. The two performances on April 21 & 22 at 7:30 pm are available at the special rate of $10 each. https://www.southcitytheatre.com/get-tickets/ for tickets.
Seven letters. Two people. One vanity plate. Kathleen, a Scarsdale socialite, wants something Harry, a short-order cook from Brooklyn, already has. Harry has his reasons for refusing to exchange plates. Kathleen resolves to use her feminine charms and her checkbook to make Harry fork over the goods. But nothing is simple, and what begins as a ridiculous squabble over a seemingly unimportant matter turns into a poignant, funny, and bumpy ride toward the mending of two broken lives. A MUST SEE!
Directed by Clay Boyce and starring Alan Ashman, David Gauntt, Patrice Headington, Keith Ngo, and Elane Barlow.“This sentence by Edmond Rostand, the author of “Cyrano de Bergerac” describes our show perfectly: panache: “A little frivolous perhaps, most certainly a little theatrical, panache is nothing but a grace which is so difficult to retain in the face of death, a grace which demands so much strength that, all the same, it is a grace … which I wish for all of us.” says director Clay Boyce.
Please note that this show contains adult themes and may not be suitable for some audiences.
In 2019, South City Theatre produced the heartwarming and hilarious musical, “Smoke on the Mountain.” The show was such a success that audiences clamored for more; so we are answering the call with a sequel, “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming!”
It’s October 1945, and the gospel‑singing Sanders Family is back together again. The war is over, and America’s years of prosperity are just beginning. But there’s another kind of rite of passage at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service. He’s been called to preach in Texas, and he’s already bought a ten‑gallon hat and is preparing to ride into the sunset with his wife, June, who is eight months pregnant. Tomorrow morning, young Dennis Sanders takes over as Mount Pleasant’s pastor. Join the Sanders Family as they send Mervin and June off in style, with hilarious and touching stories and twenty‑five toe‑tapping bluegrass gospel favorites, including Rock of Ages, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms; Unclouded Day; and Do Lord.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Some of the performers from our original production will repeat their roles: Jim Billings, Ryan Gerrells, Clint Neville, Michael Wilbanks, Amy Self, and Rhonda Ray.
Open roles include:
JUNE– non-soloist. Female. 30s-40s. Excellent physical comedy timing. June “signs not sings”. Unfortunately her signing is quite literal and absolutely hysterical.
DENISE – 20s-30s. Female. Married with rambunctious children who are offstage, Denise is always dealing with chaos. Soprano. Soloist.
VERA – 50s-60s. Female. The matriarch of the Sanders family. Vera quotes the Bible often–especially to the pastor. She loves her family, but also loves to be right at all times. Alto. Soloist.
Ability to harmonize a must!
Also looking for performers who play instruments in the blue-grass style, especially guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, fiddle, etc. If you can play, be prepared to audition with your instrument. Will consider adding musicians to the cast who don’t have specific roles or lines.
Where: Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 858 Kent Dairy Rd, Alabaster, AL 35007
Audition Dates: Sunday, May 7, 3-5 p.m. and/or Monday, May 8, 7-8:30 p.m. You don’t have to attend both audition dates.
Rehearsals will be at churches in Alabaster.
Performances: Touring to area churches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights July 13-22 at 7:30 p.m. Additional Sunday afternoon or evening performances may be added during that time frame, as well.
Director Sue Ellen Gerrells–South City Theatre Musical Director William Harper (Choir director at First United Methodist Church, Alabaster)
For more information, email director at sueellengerrells@gmail.com
