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The area's professional theatre company, The Hub City Players, has enjoyed success after success
including fully-staged productions from the adult-friendly Jersey Boys to the family-friendly James and the Giant Peach (Winner of the 2018-19 American Prize in Musical Theatre). A sold-out and held-over run of Steel Magnolias (Winner of the 2019 Best of the Pine Belt "Best Local Theatre Production," and the much-lauded musical spectacular, Sister Act (Winner of the 2020 Best of the Pine Belt "Best Local Theatre Production").
Along with the 2022 productions of The Play That Goes Wrong, a jazz cabaret, Sincerely, Stephen Sondheim, the hysterical A Tuna Christmas, and sold-out run of Little Shop of Horrors (2023), they have firmly established them
as a leader in theatrical achievement. With Disney's Beauty and the Beast (2024 American Prize- third place), they escalated all aspects of production to create a benchmark not only for themselves, but for regional theatre companies.
They have developed a devoted following who have come to expect exceptional performances,
great production value, and a wonderful escape through theatre.
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News
The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts has named Dr. Mike Lopinto as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 American Prize in Musical Theatre Direction. Founded by David (Volosin) Katz, The American Prize annually recognizes excellence in the musical arts, celebrating individuals andorganizations who have made significant contributions across categories such as voice, conducting, composition, as well as stage performance for both instrumental and theatrical ensembles. Dr. Lopinto’saward-winning work, notably his recent co-direction of the Hub City Players’ production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” at FestivalSouth, showcases his dedication to theatrical artistry and innovation.
The production itself, which marked the opening of FestivalSouth’s 14th season, received third place in the 2024 American Prize for Musical Theatre competition, the notability of the unique performances of the local talent found in the Pine Belt. “Beauty and the Beast” was co-directed alongside Chris Word, choreographed by Word and Brett Barnes, and with both musical direction and costuming by Tammy Mansfield. Lopinto expressed gratitude for the award but emphasized the true collaborative nature of his work: “I am humbledand honored to be recognized in this fashion, but I must attribute it completely to my co-creators—Tammy, Chris, and Brett. They, along with some of the most talented people in the area, bring their considerable talents to make us all shine brightly. They are the reason for this prestige – I share this completely with them.” READ MORE
Artistic Team
Press
"The city's most talented and versatile performers all on one stage"
-Signature Magazine
The Hub City Players were formed in 2012 by Mike Lopinto for an original FestivalSouth production of LOL: A Showtune Cabaret. The event was a smashing success and led to the wildly popular LOL 1.5, and WLOL: Festival Variety Show, a spoof of music, TV and even Hattiesburg. The troupe has a cult-like following that has come to expect exceptional performances and a wonderful evening.
With founding member Tammy Mansfield, who also arranges and music directs the shows, they have created a formula that Hattiesburg loves. With some of the area’s best singing actors, the project has become more than just singular events and is expanding to an annual season of performances in venues across the South.
Recent productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, A Tuna Christmas, The Play That Goes Wrong, Sister Act, Steel Magnolias, Rock of Ages, James and the Giant Peach, Rockin' Holiday and a series of cabarets using the LOL: Comedy Cabaret brand. The Hub City Players creatives are also involved with many other local productions, including those of the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company - Guys and Dolls, Phantom of the Opera, The Drowsy Chaperone, Mary Poppins, Sweeney Todd, and many more.