Amuzu Theatre brings Broadway to Southport with spring show
SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The historic Amuzu Theater is set to bring the magic of Broadway to Southport with its spring production, Amuzu on Broadway. The show will feature a mix of timeless classics and contemporary hits performed by a talented local cast.
The production will showcase beloved songs from musicals like Annie Get Your Gun, Les Misérables, Rent, and Wicked. According to show narrator and scriptwriter Sue Crippen, the addition of dancers will bring even more energy to the performances.
“It’s just an incredible collection of Broadway tunes, and we have dancers this time. Because what’s Broadway without some choreography?” Crippen said.
The show, which runs the first two weekends in April, will include both new and returning performers. Among the cast is four-year-old Ella, the granddaughter of Amuzu owners Kathy and Bill Furpless, who will perform a song from Les Misérables.
“We have quite a large cast for us,” Crippen said. “It’s an incredible group of folks.”
Performances will take place on April 4-6 and April 11-13. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday matinees start at 3 p.m. Crippen emphasized that tickets, which often sell out quickly, are available now.
Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased with cash or check at two locations: Ricky Evans Gallery, located at 211 North Howe Street in Southport, and Crossroads: A Gathering Place at 128 Country Club Drive in Oak Island.
Proceeds from the show will go toward the theater’s ongoing restoration efforts. The Amuzu Theatre, originally built in 1908, was once a movie house. Volunteers are working to return the building to its cinematic roots, but Crippen said rising costs for materials and labor make fundraising essential.
“It’s an old building. It needs quite a bit of work,” Crippen said. “We’re all volunteers, and we’re hoping to continue to raise funds so we can finally get these projects underway.”
For those eager to enjoy an evening of music while supporting a piece of local history, Amuzu on Broadway promises to deliver both entertainment and community spirit.
