Amuzu Theatre show celebrates 50s & 60s rock and roll as renovations move forward

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — The historic Amuzu Theatre is bringing the golden age of music back to Southport next month while making big strides in restoring the beloved landmark.

The theater’s upcoming production, “Remembering the Fifties and Sixties,” is set to feature crowd favorites from artists like The Supremes, Tina Turner, and Brian Wilson. The performances will run August 1–3 and 8–10, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.

“Oh, it’s gonna be great,” said show organizer Sue Crippen. “We’ve got wonderful songs from The Supremes, Tina Turner, Skeeter Davis and, you know, some of the guy groups as well with a little bit of a tribute for the genius of Brian Wilson. It’s gonna be a wonderful show.”

Crippen says the Amuzu has been part of Southport’s story for more than a century.

“The building was actually constructed back in 1918… and it was an active movie theater until the 1980s,” she said. “The family has actually kept it alive for over a hundred years at this point.”

Ticket sales from the summer show support ongoing restoration efforts, including a long-planned addition to the back of the building. The new structure will include dressing rooms and storage space—both of which have been sorely missed by performers.

“There was a wooden structure on the back of the building that had been used for dressing rooms and storage,” Crippen explained. “Before COVID, when the progress first started, they removed that building. So the shows since then, the cast has had to change clothes up in the balcony. They’ve had to run downstairs, go outside, come down the side alley and enter the stage door. It’s been a little bit of a challenge for them.”

While the Amuzu team hopes to eventually screen movies again, Crippen says live shows will always remain at the heart of the theater’s mission.

“We will always, always continue to do the live shows. They’re such a crowd pleaser and I think the folks in Southport would be pretty sad if we didn’t do it.”

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased with cash or check at Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport (910-457-1129) or Crossroads Gathering Place on Oak Island (910-250-1037). More information is available by calling 910-523-2552.