By Kim Willard
Louisa, KY: As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, Mountain Movers Theatre Company (MOMO) is proud to resume normal operations with the 2021 season premiere on Thursday, June 18th. MOMO prides itself with valuing the dignity, diversity and talents of every individual. They desire to help new generations of Kentuckians discover their destinies and provide a platform to pursue their artistic passions and live their dreams.
MOMO kicks off with “Pump Boys and Dinettes”. A description of the high energy play is the ‘Pump Boys’ sell high octane on Highway 57 in Grand Ole Opry country and the ‘Dinettes’, Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, run the Double Cupp diner next door. Together they fashion an evening of country western songs that received unanimous raves on and off-Broadway. With heartbreak and hilarity, they perform on guitars, piano, bass and, yes, kitchen utensils.
“Our MOMO Theatre team picked these shows for our inaugural professional season because we felt they resonated with the richness of our culture. They are full of colorful characters and tell stories of joy and resilience that echo the ones found in our region,” says Kim Willard, Artistic Director for the theatre.
All shows are performed at the Garden Theatre in Louisa, KY. The building has quite a history, dating back to 1921. In July of 1921 Dr. C.B. Walters broke ground on a new, state-of-the art building in downtown Louisa with a steam shovel. The upstairs was used as offices for Dr. Walters. The downstairs was divided into two rooms used for a modern pharmacy and a picture show room. The theater opened on New Year’s Eve, 1921 and presented stage shows starting in 1922 with the Lyceum series. The series included the Boston Male Quartet and Princess Nadonia Indians. The stage frequently hosted circus acts, magicians, and live music.
The Garden Theatre was a vital part of the community until its closing in 1957. In the subsequent years it was utilized for many local businesses, including an auto parts store and law office, until it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 2019 the theatre was purchased and refurbished and resumed its rightful place as a lively gathering place in the heart of Louisa.
Mountain Movers Theatre Company is proud to call The Garden Theatre home and produces a year-round offering of events, including children’s theatre, community theatre, and professional theatre productions.
Tickets will be available at the door at The Garden Theatre in Louisa or on Eventbrite. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $12.00 for senior adults, $9.00 for kids. Additionally, a $25.00 family pack is offered for families of 4 or more. (These prices are for Pump Boys and Dinettes).
For additional information please visit the Mountain Movers Theatre Company website at http://mtnmoverstheatre.com/
The theater closed in the late 70’s not 1957??
You are correct. I’d say between 1974-1977. Just a guess but it was in the seventies.
I remember going to the theater back in 1976. I was 15 years old then. So it must have closed some time after then. ?
The theater closed in late-70s or very early 80s. Western Auto was next door, not in the theater. You should learn about a place before you write a story about it.
I went to movies with dates in spring of 1960. I can name names, but maybe I’ll just keep that as a good memory.