Macon’s the place where Broadway, black music history, Shakespeare intersect

The Middle Georgia Summer Theatre Festival opens tonight with the first of three plays being performed on three local stages during the next two weeks.

“It’s huge; something like this has never been done here before,” said Jim Crisp, artistic director at Theatre Macon, who is spearheading the festival. “I was looking at several issues: The Georgia Shakespeare Festival closed, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is a four-hour drive, there’s a summer stock program in Valdosta, two hours away, but I thought Middle Georgia needs something like this, like a summer stock festival program.”

The idea came through a grant Crisp wrote that went unfunded, but Kathryn Dennis from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and Josh Rogers of Newtown Macon still wanted to see the festival brought to life.

“They were very instrumental in getting it going. We got an anonymous $50,000 donation and corporate sponsors that have helped capitalize almost the rest of the budget. It’s something to be proud of because it shows the level of support and trust we have in the community and from our partnering sponsors,” Crisp said.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” opens the festival tonight at Theatre Macon, followed by the openings of “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” on July 7 at Mercer University’s Tattnall Square Center for the Arts and “42nd St.” on July 8 at the Grand Opera House.

The musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” is named after the Fats Waller song of the same name and spotlights black music history of the early 20th century. The show features no characters or plot and includes other songs people will recognize such as “Jitterbug Waltz,” “Lookin’ Good but Feelin’ Bad,” “Honeysuckle Rose” and “The Joint is Jumpin’.”

“It’s what we call a jukebox musical,” Crisp said. “There’s nothing but singing and dancing, nothing but entertainment. It works based on the talent and charisma of the performers, and we have a stupendous cast.”

“42nd St.” is a classic Broadway musical with big production numbers and follows the familiar storyline in which a theater star breaks her leg and the young understudy goes on and saves the show, Crisp said.

“It features enormous tap dance numbers. The audience will be astounded by the talent and sheer showmanship of these local performers. There’s nothing as thrilling as 30 performers tap dancing together on stage in these gorgeous costumes.”

A non-musical comedy, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” features a cast of three men singlehandedly covering all the plays of William Shakespeare.

“It’s hysterical but also pays great homage to the works of Shakespeare. Well-known plays like ‘Hamlet’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ are lampooned, but you really don’t have to know any of his work to enjoy the show,” Crisp said.

Tickets for all three shows are being sold separately, but a combination ticket for all three also is available, for $65. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at the Grand Opera House box office, by calling 478-301-5470 or at thegrandmacon.com.

“One thing I can guarantee is a summer of great entertainment,” Crisp said. “All of the shows complement each other, and they are family-friendly, light summer fare. The place to be this summer will be at one of these shows — or at all three!”

This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Macon’s the place where Broadway, black music history, Shakespeare intersect."