JJP to hold tornado relief benefit

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -  

The lights have gone out for one Mobile community theatre group, but local support from a peer could keep them on track for opening night January 11.

     

When the Christmas day EF-2 tornado ripped through midtown Mobile, it struck without prejudice.

    

It tore down mature trees and thrashed houses along Carlen Street and Rickarby Place, among others.

    

But standing tall among tree debris and downed power lines is the Joe Jefferson Players theatre.

 

“Well we were very fortunate there's not a lot of internal damage, the doors in the back blew open and debris blew in, but nothing was damaged inside,”  Board President for the Joe Jefferson Players.

Danette Richards.

The building wasn't entirely untouched; four air conditioning units were tossed from its roof.   

So without power, a clogged street, and no temperature control they were forced to halt productions.

“We actually have a show that opens January the 11 ^th; Wait until Dark, so we are anticipating that the repairs will be made,” said Richards.

But help came from within its own ranks.

“We were very fortunate. We debating canceling ... and then one of our board members, Jim Larrison, he said, ‘Let me see what I can do about an alternative location,’” said Richards.  

The Mobile Theatre Guild on Lafayette Street was happy to help out.

“Of course we're happy to do so. This is community theatre, and that's what you do as a community. You help each other out,” said Barney March, Board President for the Mobile Theatre Guild.

The Guild is in the middle of pre-production for its own play, when it decided to pause and open its doors for the JJP.

“We were very blessed Mobile Theatre Group came through relatively unscathed and so we're really happy to be able to contribute ... we love to see people helping each other out that's what Mobile's all about that what makes this such a wonderful place to live,” said March.

A Doo-Wop group will perform Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Mobile Theatre Guild on Lafayette Street, proceeds will benefit The Joe Jefferson Players.