Starkville Community Theatre to Stage Single Performance of ‘Underneath the Lintel’
Revival of Award-Winning Play
For one night only, the Starkville Community Theatre (SCT) is preparing to revive its award-winning show, “Underneath the Lintel”. The performance is scheduled to take the stage at the SCT Playhouse on Main Street, Starkville, at 7 pm this coming Tuesday. Following its local performance, the play will journey on to headline the Fort Worth Fringe Festival in Texas.
Underneath the Lintel
Written by Glen Berger, “Underneath the Lintel” is a magical and compelling one-man show. It revolves around the intriguing journey of an eccentric librarian who stumbles upon a book that is 113 years overdue. This discovery triggers an awe-inspiring quest taking him traversing the globe and delving into the past.
The stark yet captivating plot coupled with a potentially mysterious identity of the main character open up an interesting avenue for audience interpretation. According to SCT’s director, Paula Mabry, viewers could be left wondering if the man portrayed is The Wandering Jew or simply an eccentric librarian. The answer to this intricate question is deliberately left open for speculation, creating an engaging post-show discussion among viewers.
A One-Man Show with a Difference
In this unique production, Kris Lee, an associate professor of literature and philosophy at the Mississippi University for Women, plays the solitary character. Overcoming the incredible challenge and vulnerability of a solo performance, Lee highlights the essence and importance of teamwork in such a show.
Instilling trust in the processes and relying on the concerted efforts of many people behind the scenes have allowed Lee, the only actor, to seamlessly pull through the performance. This solo production thus notably stands out as a solidly harmonious ensemble, underscoring the mutual reliance and appreciation between the actor and the production team.
On-Stage and Off-Stage Contributions
The stellar team behind SCT’s “Underneath The Lintel” production includes several unsung heroes, such as Pattye Archer, Madeline Golden, Stephen Cunetto, and Marsha Williams. Other outstanding contributors like Thomas La Foe, Edwin Ellis, Lyle Tate, Gabe Smith have also provided tremendous support to the show.
Sweeping success on the Festival Circuit
The show first debuted at the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival and the Southeastern Theatre Conference in early 2023, followed by a performance at the American Association of Community Theatre Festival in June 2023. It won the coveted Best Production title at both the state and regional level, and Mabry was recognized as Best Director.
Not only that, but the enchanting performance of Kris Lee won him the Best Actor accolade at all three levels of the competition. Lee attributed this accolade to the collective efforts of the team and the artistic excellence they have managed to create. Following its triumph in the festival circuit, “Underneath the Lintel” was invited to headline the Fort Worth Fringe Festival in Texas.
Eagerly Anticipated Performance
Tickets are already on sale for the one-night-only performance of the award-winning “Underneath the Lintel”. Theatre enthusiasts can purchase their tickets via the theater’s website or by contacting the box office directly.
This unique opportunity to witness this lauded production live is being complemented by funds from the festival and grants from both the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. As such, it is an evening of high caliber entertainment that lovers of performing arts should not miss.
