Big season ahead for Albany Mainstreet Playhouse
The Albany Mainstreet Playhouse has announced its 2025–2026 performance season, featuring a diverse lineup of productions that promise both entertainment and community engagement. The group, now officially operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, hopes this season will raise both spirits and funds—with a goal of $15,000 to support its efforts.
Season Opens with WWII-Era Cabaret
The season kicks off with a one-night-only Cabaret Fundraiser on October 11 at the Whitney Theatre. Billed as the group’s primary fundraiser, the event will feature a catered dinner by Goodnight Steakhouse and performances from a talented lineup of returning vocalists. This year’s entertainers include Kirstin Hilliard, Ginny Ivy, Megan Ledbetter, Lorna Ayers, Cali Rose, Keren Liming, Pam Davis, and Sandy Abel.
Adding a nostalgic flair, the theme of this year’s Cabaret is a 1940s WWII dance hall, bringing vintage style and big band-era energy to the Whitney stage. “We try to kick off our season with a fundraiser, and this year we’re going all out with the 1940s theme,” said AMP board member Lorna Ayers. “We’ve added more tables this time, and we’re already over halfway sold out.”
Ayers also noted the close-knit bond among the cast. “It’s the exact same crew as last year,” she said. “We just have so much fun doing it together—and that joy shows on stage.”
History Comes to Life in the Cemetery
On October 25, AMP introduces a new event: Talking Tombstones, a historical guided tour at the Albany Cemetery. Attendees will enjoy a sit-down dinner—again catered by Goodnight—before setting off on a journey through the lives of notable (and lesser-known) individuals buried there. Local actors will bring the stories to life in two separate tours at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
“We’ll have actors telling the stories of specific people at each site,” Ayers explained. “Some of them are historical figures, and others are folks you’ve probably never heard of—but their stories are just as fascinating.”
Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, and families with children are advised to attend the earlier tour while there’s still daylight. “We’ll light the cemetery as best we can,” said Ayers. “But it will be dark during the late tour, so we’re even offering walking assistance for the early one.”
Organizers hope to make Talking Tombstones an annual event. “There’s no way we can cover all the stories in one night,” Ayers added. “There’s just so much history in that cemetery.”
Neil Simon Returns to the Aztec
In February 2026, AMP will bring back one of its most beloved past productions: God’s Favorite, a Neil Simon play loosely based on the Book of Job. The production is scheduled for February 6–8 at the Aztec Theater. The group plans to invite members of the original cast to reprise their roles.
“This is another revival, and it’s such a crowd-pleaser,” Ayers said. “It’s really, really funny. We think audiences will love it all over again.”
Family-Friendly
Musical Closes Season
The season concludes with the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, scheduled for August 21–23, 2026. The venue for this production is still being finalized, but AMP members say it will be suitable for audiences of all ages.
“It’s great for children, families, and adults—it’s a show everyone can enjoy,” Ayers said. “It’s the perfect way to end our season.”
A New Chapter for AMP
This year marks the first time Albany Mainstreet Playhouse is officially operating as an independent 501(c)(3) organization. That means all donations are tax-deductible. While the group remains closely associated with the Aztec Theater—where many of its performances are held—it is a separate entity with its own board and operations.
“We’re completely independent,” said Ayers. “We work strictly off of donations and volunteer efforts.”
With a fundraising goal of $15,000, the group has raised $7,900 so far. Donations can be mailed to AMP, P.O. Box 2114, Albany, TX.
“People don’t always think about it, but it costs a lot to put on these shows,” Ayers said. “Every dollar helps us bring live theater to this community.”
Founded in 1999 by Robert Echols and Lorna Ayers, AMP has now been part of the community for 26 years, providing opportunities for creative expression, storytelling, and local performance. With a new nonprofit status and an ambitious season ahead, AMP is aiming to elevate its impact in 2025–2026 and beyond.
