Theatre of Gadsden's 'Looking for a City' returns for third installment

It’s the same-named show — “Looking for a City” — that brings in crowds from miles around to congregate at the historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Alabama City.

It’s once again a celebration of Southern Gospel music, but with each installment, new songs and new singers are added to the mix.

This year, Theatre of Gadsden is staging more than 50 cast members (plus a children’s chorus) to mark the third iteration of the popular gospel music revue.

“There are over 30 versions of Gaither Homecoming, and none are alike,” said director Mike Beecham, calling LFAC (as the event is known) a “celebration of Southern Gospel music as an art form that has deep roots in North Alabama.”

One local family that has a foothold in gospel music history (and a place in the LFAC cast) is the Cornutts.

“Our most prolific writer was Charles B. Wycuff,” said Sylvia Cornutt Coleman, a longtime volunteer, patron, and board member at the Ritz Theatre and a member of this year’s LFAC cast. “He grew up on Sansom Avenue near the Ritz (Theatre). His mother’s maiden name was Cornutt.”

Wycuff wrote hundreds of gospel songs, including “What A Lovely Name,” which is sung in the show.

“The earliest record we have of Cornutts traveling outside Alabama with their instruments to sing Southern Gospel music is 1911,” Coleman said. “Today, you can find Cornutts singing and leading music in numerous churches.”

In just three years, LFAC has made a name for itself at the Ritz. In previous years, it’s been featured in Anniston-Gadsden Christian Family magazine and has boasted multiple sold-out audiences.

Each year’s production allows for new and returning voices to take the stage. Many cast members have been part of two (or all three) editions of LFAC. One such veteran, Chris Cash, is this year’s music director.

“I was singing in church before I was in school, so gospel music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” he said.

While Cash has directed music in small churches for about 20 years, this is his first time directing a large group.

“I was raised with all-day singing and dinner on the grounds,” he said. “While we won’t be having dinner the way that I remember so many years ago, I wanted to celebrate the sheer amount of music that we used to cover back then.”

Indeed, the LFAC cast will be touching on almost 40 “all-time favorites” that Cash says he hopes audiences will enjoy.

A new feature this year will be a children’s chorus that will perform a medley of songs.

Also of note: Several selections will feature music and instrumentation arranged by longtime local high school band director and musician Steve Reagan.

A veteran writer and arranger of music, Reagan is now a clinician and contest judge throughout the Southeast. He also will be assembling a band to play along with the singers.

“Looking for a City” is one weekend only, but there are five performances lined up to best meet patrons’ schedules.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, May 5; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7.

All performances are at the Ritz Theatre, 310 Wall St., Gadsden

On Saturday, TOG will bring the “dinner on the grounds” spirit between performances. An assembly of food trucks will be set up, and the Ritz stage will be open for area choirs to sing.

For tickets, group rates, and more information, visit www.theatreofgadsden.org or call 256-547-SHOW (7469).

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: 'Looking for a City' gospel revue returns