GLT Starts New Season With Talent-Filled Show

Greenwood Little Theatre’s first production after almost two years merits a round of applause. 

“Crimes of the Heart” is a perfect start to the new season of shows. It’s also the first performance to be held at the Little Theatre’s new venue, Davis Elementary School’s spacious auditorium with 1,200-plus seats.

The show follows the three Magrath sisters played by Katie Acosta, Arie Strain and Nichole Buchanan. 

Directing the small, but talented cast of “Crimes of the Heart” is Forrest Hodge.

The play is set in the small Mississippi town of Hazlehurst, which gives an audience of Southerners a deeper connection to the show, during autumn five years after Hurricane Camille.

The sisters are coming together because their grandfather is in the hospital. The stage’s set focuses on the kitchen of the Magrath sisters’ childhood home, which is where Lenny still resides.

Each sister is dealing with issues. Lenny (Acosta) is the oldest sister who just turned 30 and is concerned about the fact that she is still unmarried. The middle sister, Meg (Strain), has been in Hollywood pursuing a singing career, but has not had much luck. Then, there’s Babe (Buchanan), the youngest sister who is on bail after shooting her husband in the stomach. The sisters also share the troubled memories of their childhood. 

Acosta, Strain and Buchanan show a natural sisterly chemistry on stage that adds authenticity to each scene.

The play includes several laughs, some sibling rivalry and deep, emotional moments.

The stars of the show — Acosta, Strain and Buchanan — each give an outstanding performance, which allows the audience to become invested in each sister’s story.

The play also includes a strong supporting cast. Two are GLT newcomers — Cyndi Long, who plays the Magraths’ cousin Chick, and Lance Turney, who plays Doc Porter, an old flame of Meg’s who is now married and has two children. J.T. Hurst returns to the GLT stage in the supporting role of Barnette Lloyd, a young lawyer who wants to help Babe stay out of jail.

While the audience will enjoy the dialogue among the sisters, they will also look forward to scenes with the supporting characters as well.

The show closes on a hopeful note. 

After the conclusion, attendees will not only appreciate a great performance by the cast members but also the long-awaited return of Greenwood Little Theatre productions.

The show contains adult themes and language and depictions of smoking.

“Crimes of the Heart” opens at 7 p.m. Thursday at Davis auditorium, 400 Cotton St. 

The show will also be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

For tickets, call 662-219-3822 or send an email to ticketing@greenwoodlittletheatre.com. 

- Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7235 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.