Because of COVID-19, several 2020-21 productions and their directors have been moved to the 2021-22 Season, while others have been postponed, cancelled, or are on hold.
Something Rotten! has been moved to November 2022, and our previously cast 2020 Cabaret has been unfortunately cancelled (though we will still be holding a cabaret at the Sandhill Crane Vineyards in April 2022).
At this time, all youth events, including Youth Theater and the Youth Singing Competition, are on hold.
On a more positive note, we have added productions to our 2021-22 Season, including productions of Little Shop of Horrors and The Guys.
As much as possible, we want to get back to the sense of community and creativity that is at the heart of this organization. We hope you’ll join us.
She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms
Virtual Production
July 23, 24, 25
July 30, 31, August 1
2021
She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans after the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge. In this dynamic dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, acclaimed young playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
Directed by Thomas Mattison, Jr.
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Steel Magnolias
Main Stage Play
August 13, 14, 15
August 20, 21, 22
2021
In Steel Magnolias the action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry. Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and possibly her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the women, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Directed by Serenity Sanders Gerrild.
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The Guys
Main Stage Play
September 10, 11, 12
2021
Less than two weeks after the September 11th attacks, New Yorkers are still in shock. One of them, an editor named Joan, receives an unexpected phone call on behalf of Nick, a fire captain who has lost most of his men in the attack. He’s looking for a writer to help him with the eulogies he must present at their memorial services. Nick and Joan spend a long afternoon together, recalling the fallen men through recounting their virtues and their foibles, and fashioning the stories into memorials of words. In the process, Nick and Joan discover the possibilities of friendship in each other and their shared love for the unconquerable spirit of the city. As they make their way through the emotional landscape of grief, they draw on humor, tango, the appreciation of craft in all its forms—and the enduring bonds of common humanity. The Guys is based on a true story.
Directed by Lisa Cryderman.
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Little Shop of Horrors
Main Stage Musical at Jackson College’s Potter Center
October 29, 30, 31
November 5, 6, 7,
2021
The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.
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Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery
Main Stage Dinner Theatre at Sandhill Crane Vineyards
February 18, 19, 20
February 25, 26, 27
March 4, 5, 6
2022
The players at The Murder Mystery Playhouse are rehearsing a new show, “Putting a Little English On It.” It’s a not-so-good attempt at a British murder mystery, complete with cheesy dramatic music and British accents. As expected at the final dress rehearsal, the lights go out and a character dies onstage — only this murder wasn’t in the script! The authorities are quickly called, and soon the company finds themselves replaying the death scene. When yet another person dies at the end of the same scene, the cast finds themselves replaying the same scene over and over for other investigators, a theatre critic, and even the playwright himself! But every time they get to the end of the scene, someone else ends up with a fire poker in the chest. The actors are left scratching their heads at the strange circumstances and also worried that they could be next. It all culminates in a wild surprise ending in which the actors must work together to defeat the murderer before he murders them all.
Director to be determined. If you are interested in directing this production, get more information here.
Audition dates to be determined. Check out our Auditions Page or sign up for our email list to get Audition announcements throughout the year.
Learn more about Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery…
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Dinner Cabaret
Dinner Theatre at Sandhill Crane Vineyards
April 1, 2, 3
April 8, 9, 10
2022
Enjoy an evening of great food, wine, and live music in our third year of cabaret at the Sandhill Crane Vineyards!
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The Wizard of Oz
Main Stage Musical at Jackson College’s Potter Center
June 10, 11, 12
June 17, 18, 19
2022
This beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home, has been entertaining audiences for generations!
Directed by Kelly Crippen. This production was postponed from June 2020 to June 2021, so we will not be re-interviewing for this production.
Auditions dates to be announced. Check out our Auditions Page for more info or sign up for our email list to get Audition announcements throughout the year.
Learn more about The Wizard of Oz…
Learn about auditioning for this show…
Further Updates
We will continue to provide updates on our website, social media accounts, and email list, and you may continue to reach us at admin@centerstagejackson.org. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding in this unusual time. We are excited to make it through this intermission and back to the stage!