For those of you that were keeping tabs around the time of Vicksburg’s Mardi Gras parade, I mentioned that I had been roped into helping out with the float at the Westside Theatre Foundation, which later turned into being roped into being in the actual parade itself.

It turned out to be a ton of fun and my kids even ended up helping control Audrey II from “Little Shop of Horrors,” um…arms? Tendrils? Regardless, it was a really good time and I got to know a lot of the folks from the Strand Theatre in the process.

Creative people like that, those who are easily able to hop on stage and get lost in a character, have always intrigued me. I’m not a very artsy person and I’m fascinated by things I’m not capable of doing. So, for all of you out there who are really good at math, I’m perplexed by you as well. But, I digress. Getting to hear the folks at the Strand talk about upcoming productions was really interesting.

And next up for them is a local production of “Grease,” which is great for me because not only do I actually know this one, but I grew up loving the movie. The fact that it is a musical only heightens my interest as I don’t have a musical bone in my body, so It’s very impressive to meet people who can sing and act. It’s just a cool process to see unfold.

But, while “Grease” won’t hit the stage for a few more months, Vicksburg’s most famous production, “Gold in the Hills” will be kicking off its 2025 run in just a few weeks at the Vicksburg Theater Guild. 

One of the first things I was told more than a year ago when I was trying to get a sense of my new community, was that “Gold in the Hills” held the Guinness Book of World Records spot for the longest continually performed local production, which is such a cool thing to be able to lay claim to in my opinion.

In 2024, I was far too overwhelmed with getting my feet underneath me to actually make it to one of the shows, but I fully intended to rectify that in 2025. And I’ll also be attending “Grease,” making it my second attended production at the Strand after seeing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Halloween and having an absolute blast.

So good job, Vicksburg. I made it through 41 years, including high school, college and a bevy of communities across five states, without being drawn into community theater with any genuine interest. But you guys have gotten me. I’m all in and I can’t wait to see the next plays on the docket.

Blake Bell is the general manager and executive editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at blake.bell@vicksburgpost.com.