BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- Like so many other landmarks in the batted Gulf Coast, the Bay St. Louis community theater was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Correction: The building was destroyed; the theater lives on. This month, even though the building still lies in place as a pile of rubble, the local acting troupe is putting on its first production since last August -- “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
The Bay St. Louis Little Theatre is a bit more than your average community playhouse. It’s been staging plays and musicals for 60 years, and normally performs 4 major productions each year. Of course, in Katrina’s aftermath, there were questions about the Little Theatre’s future.
We asked two members of the theater’s board of directors -- Cheryl Grace and Michelle Kessling -- to show us what happened to the Little Theatre, and just what the group is now up against. We think you’ll find the tour we received both tragic and inspiring, as Grace picks through the rubble and feels ghosts left behind by 60 years of performances. And, ultimately, you’ll understand why this troupe is so determined that the show must go on.
'We're coming back'
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THE SHOW GOES ON ....it's not "THE LAST WALTZ".....kicka** folks!.....better times are coming!
andy,ms (Sent May 28, 2006 9:11:28 PM)
Maybe BSL's little theatre will inspire the other companies to come back into production. Way to go BSL!
Bonnie, MS (Sent May 29, 2006 10:10:49 AM)
When I moved to the Bay in 1978 one of the first things we did was go to a production at the theater. I was sitting next to this lady that our husbands worked together at Stennis. She made the comment about what wonderful towns Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian were. I told her that we moved around a lot so I probably wouldn't get to know very many people. Well, we liked it so much my husband started his own business and we stayed. What a wonderful life I would have missed if I had not moved to the coast of Mississippi.
mary, pass christian (Sent May 29, 2006 1:25:31 PM)
In the mid 1990's I lived in Waveland and for several of those years I was involved with the theatre putting on productions and marching in Mardi Gras parades. I am glad to see that the destruction did not stop the theatre. Good luck and I pray that it will thrive.
Robert DiStasio (Sent May 30, 2006 8:40:06 AM)
What a strong group of people... Check them out at http://www.bsllt.org
Josh (Sent May 30, 2006 1:44:31 PM)
I'm quite certain that few remember me, but I was a member of the theater in 68-70. I acted, stage managed,and directed two childrens plays. I have a question for Andy. How much would the "Louie" for tech. director(69) from the now WORLD FAMOUS BSLW little theater be worth on E-bay? It was found in the rest of the pile of my parent's home. It is a mint condition "Louie"! KATRINA KEEPSAKE!!!!!
terry malone II Marseille, France 13001 (Sent May 31, 2006 12:51:45 PM)
Great Story! All of us need to see more like it. Keep goin' "Little Theatre" you'll get there, and be bigger than ever!
Frank Clark (Sent May 31, 2006 4:58:43 PM)
Donno Terry, i've dug up a lot of my old stuff.....and found out it was'nt worth what i hoped for.....wanna buy an untore Black Sabbeth ticket?
andy,booneville ms. (Sent May 31, 2006 7:02:07 PM)
"Bell's are Ringing" back in the late 70's early 80's.....oh yes I remember it well.... being in that little red theatre. I do have a picture from my 10 day Memorial Day 2006 trip.....it made me smile and cry at the same time.
Vicki, Raleigh, NC (Sent Jun 5, 2006 9:37:11 AM)
Wait, Acting....I can act hurt ...when my dog bites me.....it happens pretty often ...unfortunally!
andy,ms (Sent Jun 10, 2006 10:31:25 PM)
BSLLT's current production, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", will be running one more week-end (June 16 - 18) at Bay City Grill in Bay St. Louis. It's wonderful family entertainment, grown-ups acting like kids, singing, dancing. Adults & children alike at the matinee on Sunday loved it. The actors put their hearts & souls into this & it showed. It was a truly professional performance. It did all of us good to put aside our cares & woes for a little while & laugh with Charlie, Lucy, Schroeder, Sallie & Snoopy! Everyone should reward themselves & see this. Dinner & play, Fri & Sat - $45, $75/couple; Play only, Sun matinee - $15 general admission. Call 228-864-2882 for reservations (definitely necessary for dinner performances!)
Sandy Reese, Waveland (temporarily in New Orleans) (Sent Jun 12, 2006 11:43:31 AM)
Really was great to see the BSL group get going again. Best of lck to all, and when it is rebuilt I suspect it will be bigger and better.
j moran (Sent Jun 12, 2006 5:57:50 PM)
Great News! Due to standing ovations and well-pleased audiences, Bay St. Louis Little Theatre, in partnership with Bay City Grill, has decided to hold over "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". Additional performances will be Saturday, June 24 at 7:00 pm and Sunday June 25 at 2:00 pm. Tickets only $15. Food available for purchase before Saturday's performance, and cash bar available at all shows. Last chance to see this wonderful show and monumental accomplishment by our theatre! For reservations, call 228-864-2882.
Michelle, Picayune, MS (Sent Jun 19, 2006 10:58:22 AM)
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