Features Editor

"Come Home, It’s Suppertime!" Pike County’s folklife play sold out three weeks before opening day April 5, leaving many disappointed at not being able to see the first production in Brundidge’s "We Piddle Around Theater."

Dinah Kelsey, a member of the ticket committee, wasn’t surprised that the play sold out, but she was surprised the tickets went so fast.

"We could have sold twice as many," she said. "It was almost like a panic the last couple of days. The tickets went like hotcakes."

"Come Home, It’s Suppertime" will be presented again in the fall, so those who weren’t able to get tickets for the spring performances will still have a chance to see the play.

The Brundidge Historical Society’s community theater company has plans for an annual spring and fall folklife play and other productions, if granted permission to use the old city hall building as a community theater, Ellis said.

"I think it is absolutely wonderful that a small town like Brundidge could have a performing arts theater," said Tori Lee, director of music and choreography for the folklife play. "The stories in ‘Come Home, It’ Suppertime!’ are those of people of the Pike County community, but the people who are telling those stories are able to bring some of themselves into the manifestation of someone else. These people aren’t actors; they’re just regular folks coming together to tell the story of their town and its people. It’s intriguing."

Lee said it is exciting to see art coming to life in downtown Brundidge.

"There were some nay-sayers, but it’s happening; there’s going to be art on the Main Street corner of my hometown and I’m as excited as I can be and so proud to be a part of it," she said. "The theater is bringing together people of all ages and from all walks of life. They all have pride in their community and that’s evident by their hard work and dedication to this project."

The "We Piddle Around Theater" is located in the old city hall building which is being renovated for use as a community theater.

"So many people are involved in this project," Lee said. "In addition to those who will be on stage as actors, singers, musicians and dancers, there are those who are working to get the theater ready. I’m amazed at the amount of work that has been done."

The building was constructed in 1940 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. WPA was dubbed ‘We Piddle Around" by those who worked on the projects and those who watched the "work." So, the whimsical name was chosen for the town’s community theater.

"The building makes a unique theater and the history surrounding it makes it even more interesting," Lee said. "And, everything together – real people telling

folk tales, music, art and

a country supper in a great setting – ‘Come Home, It’s Suppertime!’ will be a night to remember. I’m just sorry that everyone who wanted a ticket wasn’t able to get one. But, hopefully, this will the the first of many productions in the ‘We Piddle Around Theater.’"