Savannah’s community theater renaissance continues with the return of City Lights, which once was synonymous with quality productions but went on extended hiatus in 2007.
At its apex, the City Lights Theater Company regularly drew large crowds to its Broughton Street stage; if it was a City Lights show, people knew they would probably be seeing something special.
“We’re sort of struggling back into being,” says writer, producer and director Jim Holt, one of the group’s founders. “I took five years off of doing theater and taught school for a while. Got really tired of that. And so I’m going to do a season of shows and see how it goes.”
The first “new” City Lights production, the comedy Open House, will be onstage Sept. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at the City of Savannah’s S.P.A.C.E. black box on Henry Street.
Holt wrote Open House, and he’s directing it, too.
His season – dates are TBA – will also include God of Carnage, Yasmina Reza’s West End and Broadway smash about a pair of feuding parents.
“I wanted to do all original plays,” says Holt, “but I decided that’s not really feasible in Savannah at this time. Although it might be at some point.
“So rather than doing that, I want to do original plays, or for the most part plays that haven’t been done here before.”
Open House
City Lights Theater Company with a new comedy by Jim Holt. Sept. 10–11 and 17–18 at S.P.A.C.E., 8 Henry St.
Frozen
One of the summer’s biggest hits, the Collective Face’s staged reading of Bryony Lavery’s tense drama returns to Muse Arts Warehouse, 703D Louisville Road, Sept. 17 and 18.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Off–Broadway rock ‘n’ roll musical, Sept. 17–26 at Bay Street Theatre at Club One, 1 Jefferson St.
Southern Fried Chekov
Savannah–centric adaptations of “The Bear” and “The Proposal,” Sept. 23–25 at Muse Arts Warehouse. Directed by Eric S. Kildow.
Who’s on First
Jack Sharkey’s comedy about four friends comically re–living the same evening over and over. Armstrong Atlantic State University Masquers at Jenkins Hall black box, Sept. 30–Oct. 3.
Steel Magnolias
The City of Savannah production of Robert Harling’s classic Southern tragicomedy. Oct. 1–10 at S.P.A.C.E., 8 Henry St.
Brian Regan
One of America’s most reliable (and funny!) standup comedians returns to the Johnny Mercer Theatre for what’s become an annual visit. The date is Oct. 2, and tickets are $39.50 and $45.
Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show
There are shows at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Oct. 3, which happens to be a Sunday. Disney characters, from Mickey to Goofy to Woody from the “Toy Story” series, come alive on the stage of the Johnny Mercer Theatre. It’s a kid-friendly send-up of “American Idol,” with music, merriment and lots of audience participation. Tickets are $12-$37.
Marriage Can Be Murder
The Savannah Community Theatre delves deeper into dinner theater Oct. 8–Nov. 21. Location TBA.
The Glass Menagerie
The Collective Face with Tennessee Williams’s classic Southern family melodrama, Oct. 15–30 at Muse Arts Warehouse. This replaces the previously announced The Little Foxes.
The Brothers Grimm Spectacular
Just in time for Halloween, the AASU Masquers with 209 dark and twisted fairy tales, told by two narrators. Fast–paced, funny and frenetic. Oct. 28–31 in Jenkins Hall.
The Rocky Horror Show
Bay Street Theatre at Club One does the classic wacko–Halloween musical every year, with Christopher Blair (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) in full Dr. Frank N. Furter regalia. The dates are Oct. 22–24 and 29–31 at 1 Jefferson St.
Steel Magnolias
Robert Harling’s tragicomic tale of six Southern women returns courtesy of the Tybee Arts Association, the first two weekends in November at the Tybee Arts Center.
Art
Yasmina Reza’s comedy about snobs whose friendship is tested over the merits of an expensive paining opens the SCAD theater season Oct. 21–24 at the Arnold Hall Auditorium, 1810 Bull St.
Emotional Spectrum
A “theatrical ballet” from the Dancewordz company, at 8 p.m. Oct. 23, S.P.A.C.E., 8 W. Henry St. Choreography by Wayland Anderson. Music and lyrics by H.G. Robert.
Broadway On Bull Street
In their next full show, the professionals at the Savannah Theatre salute more than 30 Broadway musicals Nov. 3-21. They’re at 222 Bull Street.
The Putnam County Spelling Bee
William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s 2005 Tony Award winning musical about six loquacious young spellers, at AASU’s Jenkins Hall Nov. 11–14, 18–21.
The Studio (title TBA)
Veronica Moretti Niebuhr’s young dancers in a “film noir ballet” Nov. 11–13 at Muse Arts Warehouse, 703D Louisville Road.
The Improv Show
SCAD improvisational theater, Nov. 11–14 at the Mondanaro Theater, 217 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The Mikado
Take that, Nanki–Poo! The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players bring the classic psuedo–Japanese operatta to the Lucas Theatre Nov. 12. Tickets are on sale now, $20–$48.
Disney On Ice
Jasmine, Ariel, Mulan, Belle, Snow White and the Mouse’s other female leads skate their way into your hearts in “Princess Classics,” Nov. 18-21 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena (Savannah Civic Center). There are various showtimes to accomodate diverse family schedules. Tickets are $12-$40.
Burnin’ Down the South
Jahara Phoenix Dance Co., with Eclypse World Fusion at 8 p.m. Nov. 20, S.P.A.C.E., 8 W. Henry St. A bellydancing/world fusion showcase.
Dramarama
One more from the AASU Masquers – an evening of comic and dramatic songs, scenes, and one–act plays produced by the fall semester directing class, Nov. 30–Dec. 5.
