South Camden Theatre Announces The Opening Show of Their 18th Season for 2023

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CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, January 12, 2023 – South Camden Theatre Company is excited to announce the opening of their 2023 theatre season with a wacky, wonderful comedy, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” that has a clear, heartwarming message about acceptance, social struggles and self-awareness. 

The cast is set, and rehearsals are underway. “The Legend of Georgia McBride” is a stitch-in-your-side comedy by Matthew Lopéz. In this show, our hero a young Elvis impersonator working in a seedy Florida bar. His name is Casey, and he is played by Equity Actor Ken Sandberg. Although he is working, he’s barely eking out a living as Elvis when suddenly he finds an unlikely path to prosperity. The bar owner, Eddie, played by Craig McClaren (most recently on stage in “The Brothers Size” at SCTC), decides to update his entertainment from Elvis to a troupe of drag queens. SCTC’s show will feature actors/drag performers Donyl Allen as Ms. Tracy Mills and Bastion Carboni as Rexy. Things take a turn for Casey when Rexy can’t perform, so Casey, with the necessary equipment already in his proverbial toolbox, is thrown into a dress to perform in her place. Casey isn’t too keen on this, given that his wife (played by Shawneka Ponder, last seen in “Daphne’s Dive” here at SCTC) doesn’t know he’s still performing and thinks he’s a bartender. 

The “Legend of Georgia McBride” is full of sass and good spirits along with a bit of sentimentality — it’s a show not to be missed. The show is directed by Equity Actor and director Damien Wallace who has been working with South Camden for 12 years. He has appeared in many of our most successful productions. He states, ”Telling stories like this on SCTC’s intimate stage is extremely rewarding and liberating. The commitment of these talented actors will make this production a joy. And working with the SCTC family has been a long, mutually respected, and appreciated relationship. I’m forever grateful for the trust this company has entrusted to me.”

Matthew Lopéz, the playwright, has a remarkable talent and range. He is also the author of the Civil War-era drama “The Whipping Man” and “Reverberation,” a contemporary play about a grieving young gay man. 

Dawn Varava, artistic director of South Camden Theatre, realized as she was choosing plays for this new season that all the plays’ protagonists have one outstanding common quality. Each of them is unafraid to live their truth – bravely and without apology. “This first show speaks directly to this theme. Although the story of each of the works is wildly different from the others, this one theme of distinct uniqueness stands out brilliantly. From the proud drag queens of “The Legend of Georgia McBride” to the quirkiness of “Lettice and Lovage,” from the selfless strength of the small-town librarian in “Alabama Story” to our autistic and very clever hero, Christopher, in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” all promise an impactful and unforgettable journey for our audience.”

The Legend of Georgia McBride opens the season on February 10, 2023. Tickets are available now. If you haven’t visited South Camden Theatre Company, you’ll want to mark your calendar and plan to attend. This theatre is a true gem in the Waterfront South section of Camden. It is the first free-standing theatre built in Camden in more than 100 years. The Waterfront South Theatre is just down Ferry Avenue past the intersection at Broadway. Don’t worry about coming to Camden, it is not what you think it is. Camden and The Waterfront South neighborhood is safe and clean. Waterfront South is quickly becoming Camden’s arts district neighborhood. 

Learn more about each show on our website at https://www.southcamdentheatre.org/our-2023-season. Be sure to sign up for our email notifications and receive information on special pricing, new events, and more. Tickets are available now. General admission is $20. There is a Camden Resident ticket available for $5 thanks to a grant from Holman Enterprises. 

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About The Theatre Company

South Camden Theatre Company is proud to call Camden home. When the company was founded in 2005, performances were held in the basement theatre of the Sacred Heart Church. We’re now the proud owners of The Waterfront South Theatre, the first, free-standing theatre built for live theatre in Camden in more than 100 years. Learn more here: www.southcamdentheatre.org.

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About The Waterfront South Neighborhood

The Waterfront South neighborhood is a growing arts community. Our arts neighbors now include Camden FireWorks, artist studio spaces and gallery, The Nick Virgilio Writer’s House, Mighty Writers, Bee Still Studios, The Camden Shipyard & Maritime Museum, Camden Boat Works, and the Center For Environmental Transformation, along with The Heart of Camden, The Camden Sophisticated Sisters, and The Sacred Heart Church. Visit: www.waterfrontsouthcamden.com to learn more about this growing arts community. 

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About our sponsors

South Camden Theatre Company was selected by PNC Bank to participate in PNC Arts Alive again for this season. This is a very prestigious grant award. Just over 40 organizations in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region were selected for bold thinking around increasing arts access and engagement.

“We’ve long recognized just how vital the arts and cultural sector is to our community. The PNC team is once again excited to support the arts and cultural organizations visual and performing arts in the Delaware Valley,” said Joe Meterchick, PNC regional president for Philadelphia, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey. “Arts and culture strengthen the local economy and have the power to bring people together. As we look forward to resuming everyday activities, we invite our neighbors to join us and be a part of art.” Read more here: https://bit.ly/pncartsaliveconnect

Our shows are also sponsored in part by Holman Enterprise Group, Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission at Camden County College, and Subaru. 

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Contact Information

Theatre Company Office: (856) 409-0365  

Robert Bingaman, Communications: (609) 471-4168