Theatre Memphis Celebrates “90 Years Young”

Theater Memphis will hold a series of events on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, to celebrate 90 years of continuously performing for the Memphis community. As one of the oldest performing community theaters in America, Theatre Memphis has gone into its 90th consecutive season by offering a weekend to all ages and interests that will highlight the past, present and future of the not-for-profit theater.

The first event will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2009. Titled “90 Years Young” it will feature a cocktail buffet (birthday cake included) with an open bar and Steinway piano artist Robert Glazier who will be performing his one-man multimedia show “Robert Glazier Salutes the Great American Song”. Mr. Glazier, with personal ties to Ira and George Gershwin, will play popular songs from several composers and lyricists while relating stories about his career. Some of the selections will be “Embraceable You”, “My Funny Valentine”, “Over the Rainbow” and “Rhapsody in Blue”. The evening is offered at $90 per person and that ticket will also get entrance to the next event later that night billed as “Club 90”. Dress for the evening is being billed as “Celebratory”. Amro Music is supplying the Steinway piano for the concert, which is being sponsored by Foy and Bill Coolidge and Cynthia and Jim Pitcock.

“Club 90”, the second event, will be opened on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis at 9:30 p.m. that same night and will move the evening to a high-energy mood with DJ Glenn Miller playing popular contemporary dance music. This party encourages everyone to experience the sensation of being “on stage” and view the theater from a different perspective while celebrating the present success and quality of Theatre Memphis. There will be a cash bar and late night “bites” and the price for admission is $25 at the door, $20 for advance purchase. However, if you purchase the “90 Years Young” ticket, you will receive an open bar wristband to give you access to free cocktails and beverages all evening. Party attire is encouraged for the evening, which will continue until midnight.

The third event will be held the next day, Nov. 7, 2009, at Theatre Memphis from 2-5 p.m. “Party On 90” is a kid’s celebration of Theatre Memphis’ future. With a performance at 2 p.m. of “Rikki Tikki Tavi” by ShoWagon (Theatre Memphis Department of Education/Outreach) the rest of the day will include crafts and interactive events such as the Birthday Cake Candle Blow-Out and a scavenger hunt on the grounds. All events are appropriate for children, and parents and grandparents are encouraged to participate and experience what Theatre Memphis has to offer the younger generation. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase with birthday cake distributed at 3 p.m. Admission for “Party On 90” is $5 per person but a family pack of six tickets can be purchased for only $20. Costumes are encouraged for a contest, and there will be sing-a-long sessions throughout the afternoon until 5 p.m.

For more information about the entire weekend, go to www.theatrememphis.org where you will also be able to purchase tickets for the “Club 90” event. You can purchase tickets to all the events by calling 901-682-8323.