While most Kernersville Little Theatre shows are presented at James Fitzpatrick Auditorium, the first production of the upcoming season will feature a much different setting.
In order to set the mood for the musical comedy “Escape to Margaritaville,” KLT Vice President of Marketing Karen Hincher told Scope News that Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, 215 South Main Street, offered a more fitting stage. She said the goal is to offer an experience that “will be much more like a beach party where you can hang out, have some drinks, and listen to some of your favorite Jimmy Buffett songs.”
Prior to the two Saturday shows, Sept. 7 and 14, there will be a unique surf-and-turf dinner served at the garden to extend the Buffett theme.
“The ‘Cheeseburgers in Paradise’ opportunity is actually a partnership between the garden and Big Burger Spot right before the Saturday performances of ‘Margaritaville,’” Hincher said. “We hope that patrons will enjoy a delicious buffet inside and then come outside for even more Buffett.”
This will not be the only performance KLT is planning for the botanical garden this season. In October, a one-night-only tribute to composer Stephen Sondheim will serve as an upscale fundraiser for the community theater.
“We’re so excited about partnering with the botanical garden for these two events,” Hincher said. “Previously, we performed ‘Kitchen Witches,’ ‘Eleemosynary,’ and ‘The Service at Rocky Bluff’ there and had a blast. Our productions this year, although at the same venue, will be wildly different from each other, but audiences can expect to have an amazing time at both.”
The rest of this season’s performances include “Miracle on 34th Street” in December, “Murder on the Orient Express” in February, and “Company” in June.
Hincher noted that all of the shows were chosen as part of a cohesive vision.
“This season’s theme is ‘A Legendary Season’ and our hope is that we can reach out to communities that may have never visited KLT before,” she explained. “Nothing brings people together quite like their shared love for something. By bringing these legends back into the spotlight — Jimmy Buffett, Santa Claus, Hercule Poirot, and Stephen Sondheim — we hope to stir up that feeling of community and what that really means.”
There are no matinee performances scheduled for “Escape to Margaritaville,” which will run from Sept. 6 to 15 with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday shows starting at 7:00 p.m. Click here for advance tickets and here to reserve a spot at either of the “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” dinners.
While you’re here, check out the first episode of our new podcast for a wide-ranging conversation with Kernersville Parks and Recreation’s Cady Ray:
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