By Jenny Hubbard

For the Salisbury Post

On Saturday, March 29, the Meroney Theater, the downtown-Salisbury home of Piedmont Players, celebrates its 30th birthday, and you’re invited!

The event takes a refreshing approach from its usual Night on the Stage fundraiser. This year, performers from the Meroney’s past three decades return to deliver an evening of Broadway showtunes. 

The Meroney Theater opened its doors in 1995 with a dazzling production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Might there be a second coming of Jesus, played by John Biggers? All signs point to yes. Other first-decade favorites include Kent Bernhardt (who doubles as emcee for the event), Becky Lippard, John Brincefield and Jenny Carroll (who music-directs the whole affair). 

Let’s hear it for our public-school teachers who somehow find the time and energy to devote to community theater. Rowan-Salisbury kindergarten teacher Caroline Monroe reprises a familiar tune from “The Sound of Music,” and Tameka Brown, our school system’s Homeless and Foster-Care liaison, revisits her award-winning performance from “The Color Purple.”

Look out for Salisbury Mayor Tamara Sheffield, who tells us why it’s downright un-American not to indulge in homemade biscuits. Look out for “Kinky Boots,” “The Addams Family” and “Dancing Queen.” The evening concludes with a memorial to beloved performers Alexis Greer, John and James Woodson, and Tyler Smith and a teaser for the upcoming summer musical, “The Bodyguard.”

Piedmont Players, a community theatre since 1962, has always relied on volunteer actors, stage crew and financial supporters to make the magic happen. It used to mount its shows at Catawba College until it found its permanent home at 213 S. Main St., Salisbury. The Meroney was built in 1905 by a local doctor. Locals may remember it as a movie theater, The Center, which closed in 1989. Piedmont Players purchased it and spent three years and many dollars renovating it. 

Your ticket to this year’s fundraiser helps keep the heart of the Meroney beating. In honor of its birthday, tickets are only $30. The show starts at 8 p.m.. Call 704-633-5471 or go to https://piedmontplayers.com/30 for tickets.