Appling Choral Department celebrates 40 years of Dinner Theater
The Appling County Choral Department presented the 40th annual Dinner Theater on Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1, at the Appling County Fine Arts Center.
Emcees included David Williams, Jimmy Howard, Hannah Cortez, and Hunter Leggett.
The steak dinner began at 6:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Dinner Theater, the March 1 show was special Alumni night. Former directors, pianists, and adult helpers were also in attendance, including Randy Barber, Lawanda Allen, Wally Shaw, Danny McDonald, Deanna Stone, and many more.
The show began with the ACHS Chorale singing “Ain’t No Grave,” with American Sign Language interpreter Stacie Grandstaff and pianist Lisa Yeomans.
Next, the ACHS Literary Trio participants Camille Floyd, Autumn Stone, Moriah Mims, Kimberly Perry, Natalie Todd, Dallas Johnson, Stacie Grandstaff, and Dakiyah Heller performed “Gloria” and “The Bouquet.”
Senior soloist Jacob Mann performed his solo “Who I’d Be” from the movie Shrek.
Many former choir members joined the ACHS chorale in “Tshotsholosa,” featuring soloists Chris Norman and CJ Salem and “The Blessing” featuring soloists Caroline (Morris) Mallow, Taaffe Gurley Crosby, Jacob Mann, Justin (Norris) Deraney, Angela (Lewis) Rentz, Loni (Crosby) Nadeau, Chris Norman, Joy Edwards, Carrie (Morris) Hunter, and Kristian Edwards.
Senior soloist Brody Griffin performed “Hello”.
The ACHS Literary Quartet participants Jaden Giles, Luke Selph, Jacob Mann, Agustin Ruiz, Carter Lasky, CJ Sailem, and Damaricus Green performed “Brothers Sing On” and “What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?”
Ensemble dancers participated in Land of 1000 Dances.
ACMS Centerstage is under the direction of Cami Crosby. Their selection included “Look for the Light,” “Danger Zone,” “Sweet Dreams” featuring soloist Kali Hicks, “I Put a Spell on You,” featuring soloists Ellie Hunter, Magaby Ortega, and Kara Weisel, and “Dream On.”
Centerstage Show Choir 2025
Senior Soloist Jaden Giles performed Music of the Night from the musical Phantom of the Opera.
Appling Applause is directed by Karen Davis and choreographed by Damon Brown. Their selections included “Land of Confusion/Falls Apart” featuring soloist Dallas Johnson, “Evil Like Me” with soloist Adeline Turner, “Light” with soloists Camille Floyd and Jaden Giles, “Run Freedom, Run” featuring soloist CJ Sailem, and “Smile/Shine a Little Love” featuring soloist Brody Griffin.
Appling Applause 2025
As always, the show concluded with America the Beautiful, with the March 1 rendition directed by Randy Barber.
