Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Kesslers celebrate 30 years of Broadway in Jackson

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.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've been to several of the shows the Kesslers have brought to Jackson. Simply the best.

Kingfish said...

My favorite over the years was probably Miss Saigon and then last year's Spamalot.

Anonymous said...

I've known Kessler for 45 years and he is one of a few bright civic minded lights in Jackson. He has risked his own money for three decades, no help from grants, tax breaks, etc, etc, and brought wonderful entertainment to Jackson. Unlike some other folks who have been feeding at the public trough with grants, tax breaks, etc with no single project complete. There ought to be a statue of of William and his predecessor Armand Coulet (who also brought in high class shows) in the auditorium (once they fix the leaks and other problems that are the results of neglect and incompetance.

Blue Man Group said...

I have not seen the show, but it sounds amazing!

Anonymous said...

^^^^^^^^^
SPAM!!!!


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


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Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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