The Navasota Theatre Alliance Board of Directors announces the nonprofit live community theatre's 2019 season of theatrical performances, which opens Feb. 22. "It's going to be a great year for theatre patrons — not only will they enjoy the return of the popular Tuna series, we are excited to announce the debut of an original holiday play written by actor, director, and producer, Mark Taylor," says NTA Vice President Joyce Yorek.
Featuring four Main Stage productions in NTA's intimate 87-seat modified arena stage, the new season features You Have the Right to Remain Dead, directed by Jane Brewer. In the spring, the talented casters, J. Paul Teel and Scott McDuffie, and Director Mark Taylor are back for Greater Tuna. Smoke on the Mountain, a musical lead by first-time director, Kevin Parker, comes to NTA in the fall. To finish off the season, the stage will feature an original production written and directed by Mark Taylor, Yes Virginia, there 'Really' is a Santa Claus.
Opening Feb. 22 through March 10 for 11 performances will be the audience-participation, murder-mystery comedy You Have the Right to Remain Dead, written by Pat Cook. When one of the characters ends up dead, you'll follow clues that point to the cast, but do they actually point to you? NTA will keep you guessing until the last clue is dropped. Presented with permission by Dramatic Publishing, and made possible through the Hotel Tax Revenue funded through the City of Navasota through The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.
Opening May 3 through May 19 for 11 performances is Greater Tuna, written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears, and Jaston Williams. What do Arles Struvie, Thurston Wheelis, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Phineas Blye, and Rev. Spikes have in common? In this hilarious send-up of small-town morals and mores, they are all among the upstanding citizens of Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas. J. Paul Teel and Scott McDuffie reprise their roles and return to the stage in another rendition of the blockbuster Tuna series. Presented with permission by Samuel French, Inc., and made possible through the Hotel Tax Revenue funded through the City of Navasota through The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley.
Opening Sept. 27 through Oct. 13 for 11 performances is Smoke on the Mountain, written by Alan Bailey, Mike Craver, Mark Hardwick, and Connie Ray. Smoke on the Mountain tells the story of a Saturday night gospel sing at a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two-dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by traveling group, the Sanders Family. Pastor Oglethorpe, the young and enthusiastic minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, has enlisted the Sanders Family in his efforts to bring his tiny congregation into “the modern world.” Presented with permission by Samuel French, Inc.
For the holiday season, NTA will present the debut of an original Mark Taylor production, Yes Virginia, there 'Really' is a Santa Claus, based on this timeless holiday tale. This special production is both written and directed by Mark Taylor. It's the perfect treat for the whole family, opening Dec. 5 through Dec. 15.
Tickets for NTA's 2019 season and memberships (which include either discounted or courtesy tickets) are available on their website at www.navasotatheatre.org or by contacting them at (936) 825-3195 or navasotatheatrealliance@gmail.com. Auditions for the plays will be posted and publicized.
Located in Navasota's downtown historic district, NTA is a 34-year-old professionally managed live community nonprofit theatre, a destination for entertaining family friendly performances, quality direction, and passionate, powerful theatrical experiences that bring the majesty of live theatre to life. The theatre is located at 104 W. Washington Ave. in Navasota.
