Backed by Mississippi cultural leaders, the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival is teaming up with The Infinite Theatre to bring their popular production of “Orpheus Descending” to Tennessee Williams’ home state of Mississippi this month. A total of nine performances are planned in three cities: Columbus, Oxford and Jackson from February 23-March 3.

For the past two years, this powerful rendition of “Orpheus” has been called “thrilling” with “outstanding performances.” It was a runaway success at the annual fall Festival, held in September in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Arts, culture and political leaders from Mississippi were so impressed with the production that a coalition of supporters has been formed and funds were raised for the New York-based Infinite Theatre’s production to come to Mississippi. It is co-produced by the Festival with over 20 people involved.

Here are some scenes from previous performances around the country. Photos courtesy of Josh Andrus and Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival:

The production is conceived as a morality play – to be performed in a house of worship. The imagery in the text comes not only from the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus, but from Williams’ own Episcopal upbringing in small-town Mississippi. “Orpheus Descending” takes place in the Mississippi Delta, where Williams spent his boyhood until the age of 7. The play follows the handsome, guitar-playing Val Xavier (Thomas Beaudoin) as he tries valiantly to turn his back on corruption. He appears in a metaphorical purgatory, arriving mysteriously in a small-town dry goods store run by an Italian immigrant named Lady Torrance (Irene Glezos). She’s married to an old, dying man, but Lady takes in the alluring drifter, giving him a bed in the store and thereby unlocking her long-repressed desire. Val’s arrival stirs up the insular, suspicious townspeople, leading to his inevitable expulsion, while the free-wheeling misfit, Carol Cutrere (Beth Bartley), haunts Lady’s store in a tangle of innocence and vice. Broken, brazen and defiant, these three tragic heroes are the ultimate outsiders. Yet their ordinary weaknesses reveal extraordinary zeal.

PERFORMANCES

Columbus – Feb. 23-25
First United Methodist Church, Artz Fellowship Hall, 602 College St.
662.328.ARTS (2787)

Oxford – Feb. 26-28
Paris-Yates Chapel, University of Mississippi
662.236.6429

Jackson – Mar. 1-3
St Luke’s United Methodist Church, 621 Duling Ave.
www.orpheusinfondren.com  

A Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, Dream 365 is a five day event that will bring thousands of people together to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. in Columbus, MS on January 12-16, 2012.  This celebration is a time when many will rededicate themselves to the principles of freedom and justice and will also serve to raise scholarship funds for deserving students in the local area through the MLK literacy program. 

Festivities kick off on Thursday night with Jazz & Spoken Word, poetic tributes and performance with live jazz music featuring Muzik In Action.  This event is being held at the Rosenzweig Art Center from 6:00pm-9:00pm and tickets are $10.

The Unity Stepshow will be on Friday at the Trotter Convention Center and will showcase high school and college steppers performing with a dedication to the civil rights era.  The show begins at 7:30pm and tickets are $10.

Community Service Day will begin at 9:00am on Saturday and is a free event open to the public.  After a hard day of work, relax with Laughter for the Soul, a comedy show starting at 8:00pm at the Trotter Convention Center.  Tickets are $10.

On Sunday you can enjoy the Dream 365 Gospel Spotlight Spiritual Evening of Praise & Worship.  This event is free to the public and starts at 5:30pm at the Trotter Convention Center.  This will be an evening of reflection of the contributions made in the past.

The MLK Breakfast 50^th Anniversary Tribute to James Meredith will be from 8:30am- 10:00am on Monday at the Trotter Convention Center.  Otis Moss III is the keynote speaker and honors and awards will be given out during the breakfast.  Tickets are $15.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call (662)-855-1MLK (1655).

It’s not too early to start making New Year’s Eve plans!  Wherever you may be, Mississippi is ringing in 2012 in style!

In Horn Lake, there will be a New Year’s Celebration and Ball Drop at Latimer Park.  Festivities begin at 8 PM and there will be music, food, fireworks and fun.  This evening event is suitable for the whole family.  After a late night, don’t worry about being too tired to drive home as hotel rooms are available at the nearby Ramada Limited or Best Western Plus.

You can ring in the New Year at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi at their New Year’s Eve Celebration.  The party is at the Hard Rock Live and is from 9 PM- 2 AM and there is a $30 cover.  Trade in your coat for a cape, and rock on like a superhero while enjoying live music from Nervous Presley and DJ Hurricane Lloyd.  The cost is $30 and you must be 21.  Check out The Ledge to see Victor DJ preform from 9PM- 2AM.  The cost is $35.  There will be a champagne toast and a midnight balloon drop.  Hotel rooms are available within the Hard Rock.

The 4^th annual Having A Ball Downtown New Year’s Eve block parting is taking place in Columbus.  The evening starts off at 9PM and last until after midnight.  You can purchase a wristband for $10, giving you access to the block party, an entry into a drawing for $500, and special promotions at local downtown businesses.  You will also have a chance to win a Budweiser fire pit and one of six outdoor grills.  Live music by the Scavengers starts at 9:30PM.  As the clock approaches midnight, watch the ball drop to bring in the New Year.  Crafted by Glenn Machine Works, the ball is lit with over 100 lights, is ten feet in diameter, and will descend from over 100 feet in the air.  This is a night you won’t want to miss!  Hotel reservations can be made at the Comfort Inn or Days Inn.

No matter what you choose to do, we want to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year’s Eve!