Getting Back To Fun

The Springer Opera House Moves Outside

By Scott Berson

The Springer Opera House is a beacon for our city: a landmark that ties together history, community, artistry and family in one block. It’s a place of unity and a place of pride, and Paul Pierce, the Springer’s producing creative director, says the theatre is here to do what it has done best for more than a century: let people have fun.

Photo by Aileen Fowles

Director of Community Outreach for the Springer

It’s not a small thing. It’s critical -- especially after the year we’ve just gone through.

“Joseph Springer built this theatre 150 years ago for one purpose: fun,” Pierce said. “While we have to keep ourselves safe, I remind everyone -- the staff, the artists, the board -- that we’ve got to get back to fun, because it’s healing for society. Telling stories binds communities together. When we stop telling stories, the community starts to unravel. We are anxious, eager, and feel privileged to be getting back on stage, telling our stories, and making the world a more joyful, encouraging place to be.”

Back on stage they are indeed -- though perhaps not in a way you’ve seen before. With the pandemi still lurking over the nation, the Springer decided it was neither safe nor desirable to hold shows indoors. The solution? Move the shows outside, to a brand new, 32foot temporary stage just outside the theatre’s walls. The theatre rescheduled shows to the outdoor stage and branded the Spring run of programs as the Springer Outdoor Theatre Festival.

“We’ve adjusted the calendar a bit and scheduled seven shows between mid-March and late June. Six of those shows are musicals. Columbus Consolidated Government has been very supportive in helping us work through the permitting and rules to be able to pull this off. I’m very grateful to Mayor Henderson and City staff for all their encouragement,” Pierce said.

The debut show was “Singin’ In the Rain,” running from March 18 - April 3. Other shows on the docket include “Cotton Patch Gospel,” “Click Clack Moo,” “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Planes Trains and Things that Go Zoom,” “Curious George and the Golden Meatball” and “Spamalot.”

The musical “Cotton Patch Gospel” runs from late March to early April, and retells the story of Jesus as if it were set in the Southern United States.

“People are going to be able to see lots and lots of theatre between mid-March and the end of June, and it’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s scary,” Pierce said. “We opened last Thursday, and you know, one of the main concerns was the weather, and it’s not something we’re used to [having to deal with].”

Pierce said that after consulting with outdoor theatres, the Springer decided to commit to running each show rain-or-shine, as long as there is no imminent danger from the weather like lightning or tornadoes, which is how the theatre found most of their peers operated during outdoor shows.

This season also includes longtime Springer collaborator Keith McCoy as a Resident Artist, where he will be involved throughout the festival, starting with his portrayal of Matthew in Cotton Patch Gospel.

“We have been working with Keith as an artistic collaborator for many years, he came to us twelve or more

years ago,” Pierce said. “He’s a wonderful actor and a collaborator. He’s really an actor-director-choreographer, and he’s been very valuable to us.” McCoy will be choreographer for “Click Clack Moo” and will also be playing the role of Melvin in “Best Little Whorehouse.”

Paul Pierce

Springer’s Producing Creative Director

To purchase tickets for any of the upcoming performances, call the ticket office at 706-327-3688. Theatre lovers will also have the option of seeing shows via web streaming, if they prefer. Masks will be required to be worn by patrons at the outdoor theatre, and temperature checks and social distancing will also be required. u

PRODUCTION DATES FOR

The Springer Theatre Festival

SINGIN IN THE RAIN Broadway song-and-dance musical based on the film classic. March 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28 April 1, and 3 at 8pm March 21st at 2:30pm

COTTON PATCH GOSPEL The story of Jesus set in modern-day rural Georgia. Bluegrass musical. March 24, 25, and April 2 at 8pm March 27, 28 and April 3 at 2:30pm

CLICK CLACK MOO Children’s Theatre musical comedy about cows who demand blankets. April 10 and 17 at 10am / 12:30pm / 2pm April 11 and 18 at 2pm

THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS The Broadway musical set at the famous Chicken Ranch Texas brothel. April 29,30 May 1, 6, 7, and 8 at 8pm May 2 and 9 at 2:30pm

PLANES TRAINS & THINGS THAT GO ZOOM Theatre for the Very Young show about transportation (In the backyard plaza) May 1 and 8 at 10am / 12:30pm / 2pm

CURIOUS GEORGE & THE GOLDEN MEATBALL Children’s Theatre show about the mischievous monkey who enters a cooking contest in Rome, Italy. May 28 and June 4 at 7pm May 29, June 5, and 12 at 10am May 29,30 June 12 and 13 at 2pm

SPAMALOT Hilarious Broadway musical comedy based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. June 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 20, 24, 25, 26 at 8pm June 27 at 2:30pm