Jackson Jambalaya

What started with Annie turns into a 30-year anniversary as William and Averyell Kessler bring Broadway to Jackson again this year. Ms. Kessler told JJ there is nothing special planned "because we plan to keep going. Hopefully there will be a fortieth and fiftieth anniversaries if I'm alive."

Ms. Kessler announced the following tour dates:
Shrek the Musical: November 12 & 13
Blue Man Group: January 28 & 29
Elvis Lives: April 23 & 24
Hair: May 9 & 10
The Addams Family: June 3 & 4

Ms. Kessler said "Our first show was a play, Children of a Lesser God". It was an experiment because unlike the typical Broadway show, the play was a drama. Ms. Kessler said the play was "well-received and the theater was half-full" so "we brought the first musical to Jackson, Annie. "The national tour was ending and so the touring company extended it for two days so they could bring the show to Jackson. It was fun for everyone as they provided an unexpected treat. Since it was the last night of the tour, the Annie girls were allowed to come on stage at the end of the show and sing their favorite songs. It was a treat we did not expect. "When we announced we were bringing Annie to Jackson, no one could believe it. "People kept asking us if this was the real broadway show as they expected it to be a local production. They just could not believe a professional Broadway show was coming to Jackson in 1982. The shows sold out." Since then the number of shows have varied from four to six shows each year.

Ms. Kessler said Broadway has always been in her blood. "I was raised in a family that loves Broadway. My husband made contacts in New York City and after some time he was offered the chance to bring shows to Jackson as the touring companies were wanting to expand into the South." She said she has seen everything in "this business." We have seen "a lead actor arrested in the middle of Capital Street to Russian musicians fighting backstage to leads falling in love and getting married."

She said the crazy contracts some stars request are rather interesting. David Copperfield required a fresh pineapple (No, he does not live in Reunion) sliced a certain way every day. The slices could not be round nor have holes in the middle. It had to be spears. On the other hand, she said Cathy Rigby was a pure delight as she stayed until everyone who wanted an autograph got one. She even overroded her stage crew when they advised her not to perform one stunt that required her to fly over the audience. Ms. Kessler said she knew how much it meant to the kids and insisted on performing the stunt until they relented.

She said Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan were the top two shows presented in Jackson last year. "We like to have a show for children and a classic show for the younger audience." She said the shows "are profitable or else we wouldn't be doing it" although the recession has not ignored them.

Ms. Kessler said the biggest change over the years is the technology. "The scenery, sound and lighting have improved tremendously as they are more like what you will see in a Broadway theater. There used to be days when the background was painted or canvas was used. We can't do that anymore. The talent level is the same as that on Broadway as the younger actors "realize they can get just as much recognition on a national tour as they can in New York City. A national tour is a very valuable thing to have for credits and experience.

She said the audience used to be more formally dressed and people now come in blue jeans. Ms. Kessler said "We have a diverse audience. We're starting to see more schools attending our shows. We also see many mothers and daughters using them for a "bonding experience".

Ms. Kessler said it was hard to pick a favorite show as "the next one is always my favorite." However, when pressed by this correspondent, she admitted they were Hello Dolly with Carol Channing and Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby. She then accused me of not asking a fair question (guilty).

Go to Kesslerbroadway.com if interested in purchasing tickets. Ms. Kessler said there is a discount for purchasing season tickets.