This weekend boasts the grand opening of the much anticipated Legacy Theatre in Tyrone, Ga. The theatre company will open its doors to the public with its first production, “A Christmas Survival Guide,” on Friday, Nov. 24 to a sold out crowd.

If you aren’t one of the lucky patrons to be sitting in the theatre on opening night, however, tickets are still available for the production’s other dates.

The musical, which plays Nov. 24- Dec. 17, will have shows on Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

“A Christmas Survival Guide” is a light hearted musical meant to de-stress you during this holiday season. Filled with comedy, poignancy and traditional songs of the season, this show is designed to refresh one and all with holiday cheer. Using laughter as the perfect medicine, “A Christmas Survival Guide” will help you take on the holidays with a song in your heart and a twinkle in your eye!

Thus far The Legacy Theatre has generated a lot of excitement as the brand new live, full-time professional theatre on the south side of Atlanta. For executive producer Bethany Hayes Smith and her husband Mark Smith, artistic director, the Legacy Theatre is the fulfillment of a life-long dream to start a theatre company. “We are committed to providing this area with excellent entertainment and we are passionate about the theatre being an elegant theatrical experience!”

Careful research and planning has gone into the design of this beautiful new theatre located on Ga. Highway 74 in Tyrone across from Publix. “When I was a child I loved watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies,” said Bethany Smith. “That era inspires the interior design of The Legacy Theatre. We hope to bring back the glamour of 1940s movie houses.”

Upon arriving to The Legacy Theatre you will take a step back in time with a traditional ticket windows and a gorgeous crystal chandelier. The intimate theatre will have 180 custom designed traditional theatre stadium seats in a rich purple fabric with a velvet main curtain dyed to match. The 50 foot stage will be framed by a professionally designed 25 foot tall proscenium arch in an art deco design.

The Legacy Theatre will stage four productions each year giving opportunities for professional actors, technicians, directors and choreographers from the Atlanta area and beyond to work.

As professional actors and educators, the Smiths also have a desire to train and nourish the next generation of theatre performers and patrons. Legacy Children’s Theatre is a theatre for young audiences specializing in shows that entertain as well as educate. This is an excellent opportunity for area schools to experience professional theatre in an intimate and convenient location.

Legacy’s Broadway Workshop gives children through teens an opportunity to work with theatre professionals and develop musical theatre skills. The program is split into four groups: Broadway Baby, 5-7 years; Dream Broadway, 8-9 years; Team Broadway, 10-12 years; and Broadway Bound for teens.

“With younger children, we concentrate on developing stage presence and confidence,” Bethany explained. “As they get older, the children learn to work cooperatively as a team – doing improv, performing, and writing scripts. Our teen program focuses on young performers college-bound for New York and the professional stage.” Each Broadway workshop runs for eight weeks and finishes with a showcase performance. Smith gratefully acknowledges the community’s support for The Legacy Theatre. She says that when the Town of Tyrone heard her idea, they not only welcomed it, they persuaded the developer to re-locate the theatre in a prominent location right off Hwy. 74 – as an anchor for a new business/retail complex. The complex was even redesigned around The Legacy Theatre. The new location is host to several restaurants and will make it easy to enjoy dinner before attending a show at The Legacy Theatre.

Smith said she is also grateful to the founding members who have so generously supported The Legacy with their financial gifts. “The money that founding members have contributed has enabled us to continue our vision of elegance and excellence by purchasing the necessary theatrical elements needed to make this dream a reality.”

“A Christmas Survival Guide” will play Nov. 24-Dec. 17 at The Legacy Theatre in Tyrone. To purchase tickets, visit their Web site at www.thelegacytheatre.org or call the ticket hotline at 404-895-1473.

For more information about workshops, space rental or the founding member program, visit the Web site or call 404-895-8191. For more information regarding the Legacy Children’s Theatre, please contact Sarah by e-mail sarah@thelegacytheatre.org or call 770-310-8012.

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