Published: May 14, 2008 11:19 pm      

Meridian Little Theatre 75th Anniversary Gala is set for May 24

"Rubber Soul" is the scheduled entertainment for The Meridian Little Theatre 75th Anniversary Gala to be held Saturday, May 24.

The entertainment and awards presentation will begin at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a heavy hors’ d oeuvres cocktail party featuring the band "Rubber Soul" for dancing and listening pleasure. The awards portion of the show will include the presentation of “The Austin,” (MLT’s version of the Oscar and Tony).

Award categories include Best Actor and Actress in a Musical, Best Actor and Actress in a Comedy/Drama, and awards for supporting players.

Former Meridianites Angela White and Ken Patterson will be returning to the MLT stage to reprise songs from their former productions. Ms. White will be performing a selection from “Always … Patsy Cline.” Mr. Patterson will sing “If I Can’t Love Her” from MLT’s production of “Beauty and The Beast.”

The show will open with Diana Eggler and Company performing “All That Jazz” from “Chicago,” choreographed by Carol Merrill. This will be followed by Sarah Carmichael singing “Cabaret.”

Laura Winkleman, who starred as Belle in the theatre’s production of “Beauty and The Beast” will sing a selection from the musical. Susie Johnson and Company will perform a selection from “The Sound of Music,” choreographed by Pat Gray.

Mayor John Robert Smith is scheduled to make an address regarding the Meridian Little Theatre’s 75 years of providing outstanding live entertainment to the community and surrounding areas.

Master of Ceremonies will be Pep Speed from the University of Mississippi and Meridian. While in Meridian, he was a performer on the MLT stage and is currently a theatre major at Ole Miss.

Achievement Awards for outstanding and long running service to the theatre will be given to Jimmie Kay Fisher, Sally Johnson, and Susan Speed.

All current members of MLT are encouraged to participate, however, this gala is open to the public. Tickets are $50 per person and may be obtained by phoning the Meridian Little Theatre Box Office at 601-482-6371 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.