The Legacy Theatre in Tyrone has always reserved spring for their most daring and critically acclaimed work. The last three springs brought theatre-goers the Atlanta premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Song and Dance,” the uplifting ”The Spitfire Grill,” and the dramatic ”john and jen.” However, according to artistic director, Mark Smith, this year’s “hidden gem”, “Baby,” will offer audiences something a little different.
“This is by far most romantic show we’ve ever produced at the Legacy. If you loved movies like ”When Harry Met Sally” and ”Love, Actually,” you’ll absolutely love this show,” said Smith. Premiering on Broadway in the early 1980’s, “Baby” is a musical comedy that tells the story of three different couples at different stages of their life who find out they are going to have a baby. Smith is quick to add that the show is not about babies.
“It’s actually about the comical, endearing, dramatic, and life-changing events that occur in the nine months between these three couples’ hearing of the news and the actual event,” Smith said, also pointing out that if you’ve never been a fan of musicals, this show will win you over. “The story is relatable to everyone, whether you’ve had a baby, are going to have a baby, or even thinking about babies. It’s a great date night.”
The cast of “Baby” is made up of a combination of national and local talent.
“This is one of the best casts we’ve ever assembled,” said Smith. Playing the youngest couple are two of The Legacy’s most endearing actors, Courtney Godwin and Brad Southards, both Atlanta actors who just recently starred together in The Legacy’s “High School Musical 2” as Sharpay and Troy and in The Atlanta Lyric Theatre’s “All Night Strut.” The thirty-something couple is played by Matthew Helton and Christy Baggett. Matthew, a native of Illinois, was last seen in The Legacy’s “Song and Dance” and has since been performing in regional theatres across the country. Christy comes to The Legacy straight from The Aurora Theatre’s “A Catered Affair” and The Atlanta Lyric’s “Will Rogers’ Follies.” The oldest of the three couples is played by newcomer to The Legacy, Joe Swaney, and a familiar face to Legacy audiences, Amy Bridges. Joe has performed in most of the professional theatres in Atlanta, and owners Mark and Bethany Smith are proud and excited that he decided to make “Baby” his premier at The Legacy. Audiences will remember Amy from “The Spitfire Grill” as well as her hilarious turn as June Sanders in last year’s “Smoke on the Mountain.” Rounding out the stellar cast are Peachtree City residents, Ed Richardson, Fracena Byrd, Patty Richardson. Returning to the Legacy in “Baby” as well is Larry Cox, Jr., whom many of the ladies will remember as the young crooner in “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.”
Boasting one of the most up-beat, tuneful, and catchy pop scores in contemporary music theatre, “Baby” is a show that will keep your toes tapping.
“Everyone will identify with one if not all of these couples,” said Smith. “It always makes the evening so much more enjoyable when you can relate to the events on stage. It’s what theatre is all about. This is one you won’t want to miss.”
“Baby” runs weekends only, Apr. 16 through May 2. Shows are Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
For more information visit www.thelegacytheatre.org, or call 404-895-1473.
