Community theater programs are back by popular demand on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and theater lovers and performers are finally seeing pre-covid shows taking center stage.
With theatre-makers in high schools, community colleges, universities, and local performing arts centers gearing up for a new season they all have one thing to say — the show must finally go on.
And several theaters are gearing up to finally showcase covid-shelved performances, including the world-famous hip-hop dance group the Jabbawockeez set to perform at the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort.
The crew’s signature moves include plain white masks and gloves that guide the audience’s attention and showcase unified freestyle dance while striking a balance between dancing to the music and artistic expression.
The group is set to perform at the Beau Rivage’s theater on July 14-16 and July 21-23. “Timeless” will feature a variety of music eras and promises a show full of surprises.
“Just expect the unexpected,” owner Phi Nguyen said. “I know a lot of people know us as a dance crew. They are like what are they going to do for 70 minutes? It’s a very interactive show. You’re pretty much at a concert.”
The group first appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2006 and won Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew on MTV in 2008. Since then, they have performed around the globe.
Other theatrical cultural calling cards include performances at the Biloxi Little Theater with “I Am Frankenstein” set for July 13-16. The play features a new take on Mary Shelley’s classic tale of horror and is directed by Melissa Reinike.
Also set for July at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs is the original play “The Night Shift” written and directed by Devin Carter. The play will take place July 14-16 and July 21-23 and features a boisterous pirate, a mischievous leprechaun, and a fierce Viking who boldly enter the doors of a bar for an uproarious clash of personalities and unforeseen challenges.
“Let’s Misbehave” a cabaret dinner show at the Great Southern Club in Gulfport is hosted by Center Stage Biloxi. The show is hosted by favorite local diva, Toni Dee, and features seven performances set for July 26 through August 6.
Closing out summer performances on the Coast will be “Kinky Boots” at the Biloxi Little Theater from September 1-3 and 8-10. The performances will be the Gulf Coast premiere of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning best musical that reminds everyone we can change the world when we change our minds.
