By Beth James

As Kernersville Little Theatre inches closer to its fiftieth anniversary, which will be in 2027, the organization is thrilled to announce their 2024-2025 season, which is “Legendary!” The season is filled with four shows that are iconic for being written by a world-renowned songwriter, composer, or author, or somehow otherwise rises to famous and celebrated status. The season opener is Escape to Margaritaville, which highlights many of the famous songs written by the late Jimmy Buffett. KLT is partnering with the Town of Kernersville’s, Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, for this production. This partnership, first utilized at the end of the Covid pandemic, will find the stage and garden on Main Street as the home for this show.

Performance dates are the weekends of September 6-8, and 13-15, with a 7:00 PM show time nightly. 
True parrot-heads will recognize most of the tunes that are part of this fun show, which tells the story of a part-time bartender/singer/charmer named Tully who lives only to enjoy life. His love ‘em and leave ‘em (well, they love him then leave him) attitude, is simply living the island lifestyle, enjoying the weather, music, and women. But when a beautiful, career-minded tourist visits the resort where he works, her ability to touch his heart leads him to question everything. Anyone familiar with the popular show Mama Mia, which weaves the songs of ABBA into its story, will recognize how a jukebox musical works.  Tunes include: Cheeseburger in Paradise, Fins, License to Chill, It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere, Come Monday, A Pirate Looks at Forty, and more.  The book of the show, by Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley, resembles a sitcom to some, probably because both Garcia and O’Malley are veteran television writers. However, they elevate the music through their storytelling. Add an ensemble of performers in tropical print shirts and swimsuits, singing and dancing their way through the show, and audiences are in for a fun evening.

Because of the performance space with this show, the outdoor garden area, the audience is asked to bring blankets or lawn chairs. This laid-back feeling will add to the ambiance of an outdoor garden party. Besides the usual concessions for sale at most KLT shows, there will be food trucks offering ice cream and other treats. The Brewer’s Kettle will join in the connections for this show, offering adult libations that will add to the party feel. On the two Saturdays, September 7 and 14, another partner will join in the fun; The Big Burger Spot will be offering an island meal with a surf and turf menu, preceding the show.

With all the singing, acting, and dancing that can be found as we “escape” for the evening to Margaritaville, regular KLT audiences will recognize some of the actors and singers, but there will also be a few new faces or some that may have been seen some time ago. The role of Tully will be played by TJ Taylor, with Jessie Lopez (familiar most recently on the KLT stage as Cinderella in Into the Woods) as his potential love interest Rachel. Other roles will be filled by Kenan Stewart (Jessie’s real-life brother), Lauren Rahill (last season’s Mrs. Fox in Fantastic Mr. Fox), Linnea Bthany, Ezakaya Salazar (Lefou in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast this past June), and Michael Mickiewicz (the Zombie Butler in last September’s Ripcord). The ensemble includes such talent as Isabella Allar, Kylie James, Meghan Prague, and Melissa Pritchett. 

Escape to Margaritaville looks to be a great way to see out the summer. The show will be directed and music-directed by KLT veteran Marie Denig, who has a long history of filling these roles, as well as being an actor, singer, and dancer on multiple Triad theatre stages. She has been a stalwart of KLT, as well as multiple other area community theatres for quite a while. Her 12-year-old son has also performed on stage locally (most recently with KLT in Seussical the Musical in 2023), and seems to be following in his mom’s talented shoes.

  
Prices for KLT’s main stage shows are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students, and $8 for children. Tickets for most KLT shows are available at a $2 discount per ticket for all but children’s tickets through Thundertix.com. They can also be reserved by calling the KLT office at 336-993-6556, as well as purchased at the door using cash, check, or credit/debit card.  For any other information about Kernersville Little Theatre, to volunteer, for future audition information or any other questions, follow them on Facebook or Instagram, check their website KLTheatre.com, or call the office.