Special to The Real Story
Columbus has been selected to premiere a three-city tour of Tennessee Williams’ play Orpheus Descending, February 23, 24, and 25. The announcement was made on February 2, 2012, by the Tennessee Williams Tribute (TWT) Volunteer Committee and First United Methodist Church. The live, professional performances will be presented 
in the church’s Artz Performance/Conference Center, at 602 College Street, at 7pm each evening, for a three-hour performance.
The production is a recipient of a performance grant arranged by the Provincetown, Massachusetts Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival and The Infinite Theatre Company of New York. After opening in Columbus, the play will then be presented in Jackson and Oxford
“The TWT is proud to be selected by Provincetown and the Infinite Theatre Company to premiere this live, professional production in Mississippi. The TWT, Mississippi University for Women, and the Columbus Arts Council have a long-standing relationship with Provincetown, having produced other plays with them, in Columbus, over the past six years. Orpheus Descending has been part of the Provincetown September festival for the last two years, to standing room audiences, and features a large cast,” stated Brenda Caradine, chair of the local committee.
An advance team from the festival came to Columbus, in December, to look at church venues where the play could be presented and are pleased that the theatrical facilities at First United Methodist Church will be made available for the play. “We are grateful to Rev. Sam Morris and the Church Council for their willingness to make their facilities available for the play performances for the Columbus community and region. There will be a drama workshop, with the actors for the church drama group and anyone from the community that wishes to attend. This is being organized 
by Laura Beth Berry of FUMC. Details of the time and date for the workshop will be made available soon”, Caradine said.
A technical crew and cast of 16 will arrive in Columbus on February 21 and 22. They will be housed in local homes, hotels, MUW and B&Bs. There will be a special preview performance for high school, college students, teachers and any senior citizens on Thursday, February 23, for $5 per person. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Columbus Arts Council (501 Main Street), by February 3, or they can be purchased at the door. A special opening night reception is being planned at the home of MUW President James B. Borsig, for advance ticket holders, on February 24. These tickets may also be purchased at the Columbus Arts Council for adults – $15, seniors and military – $10 and students – $5. The same ticket prices apply for the final performance, on Saturday, February 25th. For further information call 662-574-4275 or 662-328- ARTS (2787).
The Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes Volunteer Committee produces a festival to celebrate the life and literary work of America’s great playwright and poet, born in Columbus on March 26, 1911. His childhood home serves as the Columbus Welcome Center. Located at 300 Main Street, it houses important artifacts related to his life and family, and is a National Literary Landmark. During each year’s festival, the Columbus Public Library features a two-month exhibition of movie and theatre posters, play programs and memorabilia from Williams’ life. The TWT event, now in its 11th year, takes place in Columbus each September and is supported by grants from the Billups-Garth Foundation, Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mississippi Humanities Council and donations from Columbus business organizations and citizens.
Contact Brenda Caradine, at 662-574-4275, for more information.
February 16, 2012
Announcements, Columbus, MS, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Mississippi