On the popular financial counseling radio program hosted by Dave Ramsey, people routinely call in to tell the stories of how they became debt free. Ramsey, who wants everyone to get debt free, then tells the caller to sound off.

A slow countdown is followed by a bellowing, “I’m debt free!” Ramsey adds to the moment with a replaying of Mel Gibson’s signature line from the 1995 film “Braveheart,” “FREEEDOOMMM!”

Ramsey gets fired up. The caller, sometimes a family of callers, gets fired up. The financial family tree is altered forever.

The only thing missing last weekend at the Parkside Playhouse was Mel Gibson’s yell. The theater celebrated debt freedom with the burning of a copy of the mortgage, paid off a year in advance. The Vicksburg Theatre Guild brought quality entertainment to the playhouse on a very limited budget. But through re-financing, a healthy dose of volunteer spirit and key donors, the playhouse no longer has to fit in the nearly $900 a month mortgage payment.

Without that monthly debt, the playhouse can continue capital improvements with new lighting and sound equipment.

The playhouse, which has hosted plays, concerts, Broadway shows and the longest- running melodrama in history, “Gold in the Hills,” will now have so many more options. The playhouse already was a jewel to Vicksburg, and now the sky is the limit.

Dave Ramsey would be proud — and so should Vicksburg. The playhouse has new freedom.

We anticipate the results of that freedom.