AUDITIONS FOR HULAS AND HOMICIDE

South City Theatre, in partnership with The Pelham Beat, is excited to announce auditions for Jack Pacheta’s Hulas and Homicides, an interactive murder mystery/dinner theatre set in the Coconut Lounge of the Kikiwai Queen Hotel.

Auditions will be January 18 and 19, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the theatre (2969 Pelham Parkway, Suites J-K, Pelham, AL, 35124). Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script and improv exercises.

The Story: An unexpected object was found on Kikiwai Beach this morning – the body of Winnie Waheli, head judge of the annual hula contest. Winnie’s choices of hula champions had been scrutinized or many years. Someone had made a decision of murder that was applauded by many people.

Show Dates: May 2-3, 2025 at the Pelham Civic Complex (Hosted by The Pelham BEAT)
Directed by: Lisa Ponder
Email questions to info@southcitytheatre.com
Read a portion of the script at https://murdermysterytheater.net/hulas-and-homicide

All roles are available. Roles available for 5 men and 4 women, ages 20+. Actors should be comfortable with improvisation. Character descriptions are listed below.

LEIA LAILANI – Champion hula dancer. She has won the competition for the last five years. She knows the advantages of being in Winnie’s good graces.

PONO PAHU – His rumbling rhythms provide the perfect backdrop for the gyrating gestures of the deliberate dancers. Used to play drums made from coconuts, will play “drums” with his hands on various objects.

MITCH AWAVE – Aging surfer. In his quest to find the ultimate wave, he discovered Kikiwai Beach many years ago. Because of the hula competition, he has to worry about bumping into people while hanging ten.

HANNA HOBART – Amateur hula champion. Even though she was raised in New England, Hanna has been getting rave reviews for her interpretation of traditional island dances. Some people say only Hawaiians should be hula dancers. Boston accent.

NORM ROOM – Owner of the Kikiwai Queen Hotel. He makes a lot of money during the competition. If Winnie ever decided to move the hula contest to another hotel, he could lose a ton of profits. New Jersey accent.

MINNIE MOLAWI – Chief assistant judge. For the past ten years, Minnie has been a judge at the contest. She knows a lot about Winnie – even more than she cares to know.

MORT BARKS – Emcee of the event, plays keyboard and sings. When he sings “There she is, this our hula gal,” it brings a tear to everyone’s eye. Could Winnie really be insisting that he be replaced? MUST BE ABLE TO PLAY KEYBOARD. This ability must be demonstrated at the audition. Easy piano or chords only is sufficient. He will play several songs throughout the show. Sheet music will be provided at the audition. Vocals? Just sound close to the songs.

FLORA FAUNA – Florist. For years, she’s been providing the flowers and the leis for the contest. It wasn’t her fault that this year’s arrangements dipped and drooped. From Iowa.

LAWRENCE LAW – Chief of Police. He’s an experienced law enforcement professional who won’t rest until the case is solved.

HARLEY DAVID – Crime Lab Investigator. He is a trusted Police Department member who Chief Law relies upon to find and analyze critical information.

Black Friday Special Registration for Spring Workshop and Summer Camp

South City Theatre will have a special Black Friday discount registration for our Spring Workshop and our Summer Camp. This discount is available to anyone who registers on Friday, November 28, 2025.

  • 2025 SPRING WORKSHOP
  • REGULAR PRICE $250
  • BLACK FRIDAY PRICE $225
  • SIBLING DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
  • Classes start January 16, 2025
  • Performances May 9-11, 2025
  • 2025 SUMMER CAMP
  • REGULAR PRICE $400
  • BLACK FRIDAY PRICE $375
  • SIBLING DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
  • June 2 – 14, 2025
  • Performances June 13 – 14, 2025

For questions email info@southcitytheatre.com

Announcing the Cast of A Doublewide, Texas Christmas

Directed by Mary Anne Garrett, this comedy is set in the newest – and tiniest – town in Texas. Doublewide, Texas – population 10 – where the residents are facing more than just holiday stress—they’re battling the County to save their town’s future. With a colorful cast of eccentric characters, including a raccoon-wrangling brother and a celebrity-obsessed mother, they set their sights on winning the “Battle of the Mangers” with a “Nativity at The Alamo” entry that will leave you in stitches. Don’t miss this wild, feel-good romp through the season—Christmas in Doublewide promises big laughs and Texas-sized holiday cheer! The show is written by the team of Jamie Wooten, Jessie Jones and Nicholas Hope.

The cast includes:

Ethel – Peggy Vanek-Titus
Georgia Dean – Robin Wallace
Lark Barken – Alex Daigler
Haywood Sloggett – Paul LaRussa
Patsy Price – Salena Whalen-Stalker
“Baby” Crumpler – Trent Carruth
Joveeta Crumpler – Kathy Scruggs
Caprice Crumpler – Marlene Berndt
Nash – Michael Wilbanks
Harley Dobbs – Kevin Garrett

There will be five performances:

Dec. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm.
Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at southcitytheatre.com or by calling (205) 621-2128. Advance ticket prices are $20 general admission, $17 for students and seniors, $14 for groups of 10 or more. At the door price is $22.

SCT Earns Recognition at ACTFest 24

Congratulations to the cast and crew of our competition cutting of A Tuna Christmas by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard on their performance at ACTFest 24 (Alabama Conference of Theatre).

SCT was awarded 1st Alternate (Best in Show) and Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design. David Coker was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Acting. Alan Ashman received an honorable mention for his musical number in the Individual Events.

Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this production to festival: David Coker, Alan Ashman, Robin Rushing, Mike Gerrells, Michelle Vercher, Barbara Ashman, Ron Rabun, Todd Ponder, Lisa Ponder, and Sue Ellen Gerrells.

Opening Soon: The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script

Join us October 11-19, 2024 for this exciting recreation of the broadcast that shook the world!

Broadcast from New York’s Mercury Theatre in 1938, this infamous radio play, based on the novel by H. G. Wells, had many terrified listeners convinced that an actual alien invasion of Earth was taking place. Adapted by Howard E. Koch, co-writer of Casablanca, and directed and narrated by Orson Welles, this original script detailing the frightening tale of an extraterrestrial takeover is now available to bring to life onstage to thrill and chill audiences.

Starring Alex Arnold, West Key, James T. Billings, and Holt Thomas, with Lena Rios on foley, and directed by Amanda Crist, this production is sure to send chills down your spine.

Seats available at https://www.southcitytheatre.com/get-tickets/

AUDITIONS! A Doublewide, Texas Christmas

South City Theatre announces auditions for A Doublewide, Texas Christmas by Jones Hope Wooten.  This production is directed by Mary Anne Garrett.

  • Auditions will be held at South City Theatre on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.  Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script.
  • Show dates are December 13-14, 2024, and December 20-21, 2024, at 7:30 PM, with a matinee on December 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM.

In this outrageously funny comedy, it’s Christmas-time in the newest—and tiniest—town in Texas. And it’s beginning to look a lot like trouble in Doublewide. Not only are the trailer park residents dealing with the stress of the holiday season, but they’ve just discovered that Doublewide is being double-crossed by the County. With their official incorporation papers in jeopardy, this band of eccentric Texans throw themselves into taking on the “Big Guys.” Determined to bolster their legitimacy, they first set their sights on the County-wide “Battle of The Mangers” competition. They conspire to win this smackdown with their “Nativity At The Alamo” entry…by any means possible.

In addition to that shaky undertaking and trying almost single-handedly to keep the new town afloat, Mayor Joveeta Crumpler has to wrangle her celebrity-obsessed mother, her beleaguered brother who’s being bullied by a pack of vengeful raccoons, and her demoralized best friend who’s at the end of her rope from dating every loser this side of the Rio Grande. To make matters worse, Joveeta finds herself increasingly wary of the newest resident, Patsy Price. Patsy, fresh out of the local mental institution, clearly has her own devious agenda and the County competition over in Fayro is just the place for her to settle an old score.

By the time this full-tilt rocket ride of lunacy climaxes in a what-else-can-go-wrong live television presentation, you’ll have doubled your Christmas spirit. So spend the Yuletide in Doublewide and let this hilarious Jones Hope Wooten Comedy make your Christmas merry and bright…because there’s no place like a good ol’ Texas-sized mobile home for the holidays!

Character Descriptions

Big Ethel Satterwhite – 60s.  Not related to anybody.  Starts Act 1 with a monologue. Starts Act 2.  Will need to command the stage.

Georgia Dean Rudd – 40s.  Mother of Lark. Works at the local restaurant.  One reference to her being fat.  Will kiss Nash.

Lark Barken – 20s.  Daughter of Georgia Dean and mother to Arden Rose, which is portrayed using a doll.  Granddaughter of Sloggett.  Works at the same restaurant as her mother.

Haywood Sloggett (Sloggett in the script) – 70s.  Lark’s grandfather and Patsy’s brother.  His character gets a bit physical.  

Patsy Sloggett Price – 60s.  Sloggett’s younger sister.  Nash’s aunt.  Lark’s great aunt.  Snooty.  Goes a bit psycho.  Gets physical.   

Norwayne “Baby” Crumpler – 40s.  Physical role.  Gets into fights with raccoons.  Will have his butt slapped.    

Joveeta Crumpler – 40s.  Town’s Mayor.  She has a bad back and does some things to emphasize that.  A little singing.

Caprice Crumpler – 70s.  Barfly. Casket model and local celebrity—at least she thinks so.  FLIRT.  Must sing a bit.  Will slap Baby’s butt.  

Nash Sloggett – 40s.  Georgia’s Ex, Lark’s father, Haywood’s son and Patsy’s nephew.  Will kiss Georgia.

Harley Dobbs – Voiceover Only. 

Registration for Fall Workshop Now Open

South City Theatre is happy to announce our fall youth workshop, led by Victoria Boyce.

Classes begin October 5, and will be held on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm. Performance dates November 15 and 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm. Matinees will be held November 16 and 17, 2024 at 2:00 pm.

Age Range: 8 – 18

Skill level: All welcome

Show: The Great Cell Phone Catastrophe (OR… HOW I LEARNED TO STOP TEXTING AND LOVE TO TALK) by Michael Pavese

Cost: $225 (sibling discounts available)

Victoria Boyce is excited to be working with South City for the second time, having played Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Victoria has been working with children for 13 years. She teaches theater in Moody and Hoover and also does choreography with Mike Bridges at Our Lady of the Valley. Her day job is as a teacher for the private school Valleydale Academy in Hoover grades 1st through 8th . She is looking forward to applying her skills and knowledge to a new group of kids. She wants to thank South City for the opportunity and her parents and boyfriend for always lending a helping hand.

For more information or to register visit: https://www.southcitytheatre.com/kids-programs/

Announcing the Cast of The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script

Announcing the cast of The War of the Worlds: The 1938 Radio Script. The production is directed by Amanda Crist.

Alex Arnold: Orson Welles, Professor Pierson, Operators #2 & #5

West Key: Top-of-Broadcast Announcer (Announcer #1), Captain Lansing, Officer, Operator #3

James T. Billings: Main Announcer (Announcers #2 and #3 merged role), Mr. Wilmuth, Secretary of the Interior

Holt Thomas: Carl Phillips, Vice-President Harry McDonald, Commander Voght, Understudy for Orson Welles/Pierson

Holden Pine: General Montgomery Smith, Policeman, Gunner, Operator #1, and The Stranger

Lena Rios: Observer, Operator #4, Foley Artist

Show dates are October 11-19, 2024.

Announcing the Cast and Crew of David Garrett’s Covering Dish

South City Theatre is proud to announce the cast and crew for David Garrett’s Dish. Show dates are August 16-17, 2024, and August 22-24, 2024, at 7:30 PM and August 18 and 25, 2024, at 2:00 PM.

ALL PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!

Becky Lee … Donna Littlepage
Brother Samuel … Warren Hamby
Carl … Trey Woodrow
Cordell … Katy Walker
Dana … Mac Pearson
Deputy Dykes … Amy Self
Edith Ann … Genni Boatwright
Hector … Holt Thomas
Inez … Maree Jones
Jean Marie … Robin Wallace
Lois Faye … Sharon Morgan
Martha Sue … Marlene Wallace
Mr. Shibley … Alex Arnold
Orell … Scott Frazier
Rita … Leslie Price
Sheriff Frye … Michael Wilbanks
Shirley … Margaret Harrill
Vernon … Paul LaRussa
Vidalia … Stefanie Woodrow
Viki … Jess Smyly
Willodean/Stage Manager … Michelle Vercher

Lighting/Sound … Clark French
Directed by … Donna Williamson

Auditions: A Reunion To Die For

South City Theatre, in association with The Pelham BEAT, are pleased to announce auditions for Jack Pachuta’s A Reunion To Die For on July 27 and 28, 2024, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Auditions will be held at South City Theatre, 2969 Pelham Parkway Suites J-K, Pelham, AL 35124. For more information email the director, Lisa Ponder, at lisa.ponder@southcitytheatre.com

Performances will be September 20 and 21, 2024 at the Pelham Civic Center Complex.

The 40-year reunion of North by Northwest High School’s class of 1984 was organized by former head cheerleader and prom queen, Sherrylynn Shuster. As the event unfolded, emotions that had been dormant for four decades made return visits. And one classmate didn’t make it because murder was on the menu.

Auditions will consist of cold reading from the script and improvisation. This is an interactive show and the director is looking for those with strong improv skills.

We are looking to fill roles for 4 females and 6 males. Anyone 18 or older may audition. If cast, younger actors will be asked to age up.

Roles Available

SHERRYLYNN SHUSTER (60-ish) – She was the head cheerleader and prom queen.
Now, she is the chairperson of the Reunion Committee. Her life has not worked out according to her plans.

BRUCE BELINSKY (60-ish) – He was the star quarterback and the prom king, the high point of his life. He dropped out of sight for many years. The reunion is the first time most have seen him since high school.

FLORENCE FINNEGAN (70 or older) – She is the former principal who retired to Florida.

ELMO WOLLENSCHLAGER (70 or older)– He is the former janitor at the high school, then prison guard at the local penitentiary. He retired to a cabin in the woods because he is tired of dealing with people.

MINDY TALLIVECHIO (60-ish) – She was the girl that every boy wanted to date. She used her popularity to get what she wanted and her father’s influence to keep her from being expelled.

NICHOLAS NOTTME (60-ish) – He was the kid who never did anything wrong. His classmates picked on him, but today he is a TV personality called “Dr. Nick” who teaches people how to become their parents.

LAURA LAMINATE (60-ish) – She was the editor of the school paper. Professionally known as “Lucretia Lamore,” she is the author of several steamy romance novels.

STANLEY STOVER (60-ish) – He was the clumsy, class valedictorian. His favorite subject was Chemistry. Today, he is the owner of Eve of Destruction, Ltd, a company that blows up structures with no trace left behind. Must be comfortable with physical comedy.

LAWRENCE LAW (45-70)- Police Chief. He’s an experienced lawman.

ORVILLE ORDER (25-70)– Police Detective.