Starkville Community Theatre to Revive Award-Winning One-Man Show “Underneath the Lintel”

STARKVILLE— Starkville Community Theatre (SCT) announced they are set to revive the award-winning production “Underneath the Lintel” with a special, one-night-only performance. The show is intended for local audiences to witness this theatrical masterpiece before it heads off to the acclaimed Fort Worth Fringe Festival in Texas.

The award-winning single-actor play will take the SCT Playhouse stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, as stated in an official SCT announcement. Paula Mabry, the director, expressed her excitement at reviving the popular show for local theater enthusiasts.

“‘Underneath the Lintel'” is noted for its unique narrative, written by renowned playwright Glen Berger, which centers on a quirky librarian. The discovery of a book that is 113 years overdue prompts this otherwise ordinary librarian on a magical and transformative journey around the world and back in time.

Challenges of a Solo Performance

The opportunity to showcase the production one last time allows audiences to experience its profound, thought-provoking nature. The show’s setup as a monologue generates an intriguing discourse – is the protagonist a mere eccentric librarian or the author’s interpretation of the ‘wandering Jew?’

The production’s central role is performed by Kris Lee, an associate professor at Mississippi University for Women. Lee talked about the challenges of performing solo. The actor stated that being alone on stage brings a unique pressure and a dependence on the rest of the team. He shared, “I’ve never had to have such trust in the process, in teamwork, or put such faith in others.”

The director and the actor are not the only crucial parts of this ensemble. The team for this production also includes Pattye Archer, Madeline Golden, Stephen Cunetto, and Marsha Williams, with additional support from Thomas La Foe, Edwin Ellis, Lyle Tate, Gabe Smith, and many others.

Past Successes and Future Endeavors

Originally conceived as SCT’s festival entry, “Underneath the Lintel” had previously graced various stages, including the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival, Southeastern Theatre Conference, and the American Association of Community Theatre Festival in 2023. The play garnered accolades at every level, with Lee winning Best Actor and Mabry being honored as the Best Director.

The team is now looking forward to its performance at the upcoming Fort Worth Fringe Festival in Texas, following an invitation from one of the adjudicators who recognized the show’s potential. Terms of the agreement include partial funding of their travel expenses, with the show scheduled for three performances.

Supporters of ‘Underneath the Lintel’ include the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. The presentation is made possible by special arrangements with Broadway Publishing Inc., NYC.

Tickets for this exclusive one-night performance can be obtained from starkville-community-theatre.ticketleap.com/lintelfringe or by calling the box office at (662) 323-6855.