TLT’s 70th Anniversary season will hit the ground running in September with four award-winning comedies and dramas.

“We have an amazing, international season; full of laughter, tears, mystery, music, dancing and celebration,” said Pam McNeil, a member of TLT’s play selection committee.

Although the titles may not seem familiar, all of the season’s shows were extremely popular, record-breaking productions on Broadway, theater representatives said.

The first play will be “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” written by Alfred Uhry, who also penned “Driving Miss Daisy.” After that, the theater will present Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa,” set in Donegal, Ireland.

The next show will be the theater’s mystery musical — which will not be announced until late September — which takes place on a Mediterranean isle.

Finally, the theater will present “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” based on the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon.

“The themes within these plays are all recognizable in how they connect us — love, family, joy and personal difficulty — all experiences we can relate to,” said Carol Cox, another member of this year’s selection team. “These four stories will make us think, laugh out loud and maybe even offer a new perspective on our lives.”

Selection committee member  Chris Tinkler is confident visitors to the theater this season will be able to “take a little vacation from these trying times. Because, heaven knows, we can all use a little more fun right now.”

TLT believes audiences will be very pleased with the show choices made for this season, representatives said.

“We are going to give you a magical year of very exciting theater,” McNeil said.    

For more information, people may visit tltinfo.org or call the box office at 828-859-2466.

– Submitted by Catherine Gillet