Lawrenceville Lawn reopens with Broadway on the Lawn Live Performance!
Families may enjoy free, socially distanced entertainment at new outdoor amphitheater.
TheCity of Lawrenceville announces the reopening of the Lawrenceville Lawn with a ribbon cutting and premiere performance by the Aurora Theatre as part of the Broadway on the Lawn series. The partner organizations will present the high-energy musical Disney’s NEWSIES at the beautiful new outdoor amphitheater for a one-night-only community performance on March 20, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. The performance is free, but registration is required to attend. Online registration opens on Friday, March 5 at 8 a.m.
The Lawrenceville Lawn, a 5.5 acre public park underwent a 14-month, $1.8-million renovation to further enhance the city’s live, work, and play dynamic. In addition to its existing volleyball courts and playground, the improved Lawrenceville Lawn, located steps away from the historic square, features new amenities, including a 40-by-60-foot permanent amphitheater, two performance stages, arbor shades for tables, as well as additional bathrooms and public parking.
“The renovations and new additions to the Lawrenceville Lawn are but another visual representation of the City of Lawrenceville’s commitment to the arts, entertainment, and community,” said Mayor David Still. “The amphitheater and other improvements will further position Downtown Lawrenceville as a destination, offering a variety of experiences for residents and visitors to our City.”
Architect and design partner Stevens & Wilkinson, contractors at Bayne Development Group, and geotechnical consultants from GeoHydro spearheaded the renovation, which was completed in early 2021.
Since 2006, Aurora Theatre and the City of Lawrenceville have been partners in presenting musicals under the stars, with the program evolving and taking on many forms and titles over the years. Disney’s NEWSIES is the second installment of the newest tradition, Broadway on the Lawn, launched in 2019 as a salute to Broadway with a live performance of In the Heights.
To commemorate the completion of the project, the City of Lawrenceville will hold a special ribbon cutting ceremony prior to the premiere performance.
The Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett’s only professional performing arts organization and the second largest professional theatre company in Georgia, reimagines Disney’s NEWSIES after its successful 2018-2019 opener. Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, the musical highlights publishing titan Joseph Pulitzer as he tries to take advantage of newsboys to increase profits. However, everything changes when Jack Kelly and his group of “newsies” come on the scene. This rousing, Tony Award-winning musical, based on the timeless Disney film, is toe-tapping fun for the whole family!
Aurora Theatre’s production of NEWSIESstars Greg Kamp as Jack Kelly, Kate Bailey as Katherine Plumber, Anthony Rodriguez as Joseph Pulitzer, Russell Alexander II as Crutchie, Marcello Audino as Davey and Mahalia Jackson as Medda Larkin. The production is led by the award-winning creative team: Director Justin Anderson (Aurora Theatre Associate Artistic Director) and Musical Director Ann-Carol Pence (Aurora Theatre Co-Founder and Associate Producer).
General admission to the event is free. Attendance will be limited and advanced registration is required. Online registration will open on Friday, March 5 at 8 am at www.downtownlawrencevillega.com/eventson/broadway-on-the-lawn. Groups of up to six people may register to attend together. For more information on the event and to review City of Lawrenceville’s health and safety procedures*, please visit www.downtownlawrencevillega.com.
*In support of public health, masks are encouraged and social distancing will be enforced at this event. Attendees will be seated by City of Lawrenceville staff and volunteers. Event staff will provide placeholders on the Lawrenceville Lawn prior to the event to provide registered attendees socially distant “pods” in-front of the stage. Lawn chairs will be allowed. Food vendors will be onsite.
For additional information about the City of Lawrenceville, please follow the City on social media. For more information on Aurora Theatre, please call the Box Office at 678.226.6222 or visit auroratheatre.com.