Cullman Community Theatre’s production of “The Music Man” drew large weekend crowds, leaving a determination among the originators of the program to move forward.

With Cullman High School auditorium as the venue, three presentations of the musical — two Saturday, one Sunday —left the performers and the audience enthusiastic for an encore, preferably this year, said Wayne Cook, who served as director of the production and is director of Cullman High School Theatre.

“I know I was pleased with everything,” Cook said. “There was a great attendance all weekend and the production went very well throughout.”

The opening success is what the organizers and supporters of Cullman Community Theatre believe will be the beginning of a long and productive era for the program.

“We do feel this was the boost to move us forward and eventually earn steady support financially within the community to provide great musical productions and plays,” Cook said. “A production like this costs roughly $15,000 and we believe we broke even or maybe a little better between ticket sales and sponsorships. The ideal situation is to have support where you always have money to move forward to the next production.”

The all-local cast for “The Music Man” brought people from ages 4 to 70 to participate, from singing and dancing to behind the scenes work on sets, lighting and other production jobs.

Efforts to re-establish community theatre started earlier this year in a meeting facilitated by Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. Parks & Rec provided Cullman Civic Center as a rehearsal hall in preparation for the production and helped with marketing of the event.

“I know our support will continue with providing a place to rehearse and some marketing,” Anderson said. “It was wonderful to see Cullman High School and the school district provide their outstanding facilities for the performances. It was a great showing of support, both behind the scenes and from the community coming out in such large numbers. There’s a lot of great talent in Cullman and they came forward and did a great job with ‘The Music Man.’”

Cook said the next effort this year will likely be a play, which will be discussed in the coming weeks.

Patrons of the Theatre for the weekend production included:

Denise Campbell, Citizens Bank & Trust, Cullman Savings Bank, Dr. Dan Darnell, Eva Bank, Fillinger Foot Clinic, Gateway Mortgage Group, Jay Betts Photography, Justin and Jamie Helms, Hanceville Funeral Home, JMR&H Architecture, Denise G. Key, CPA, Mark’s Granite, McGriff Tire Co. Inc., Brian and Karen Parker, Alan and Cindy Pass, Sacred Heart Church, Stone Bridge Farms, Traditions Bank, Jeb and Lanie Williamson.

Friends of the Theatre included:

@seaforyourselfon30A, Baggett & Wilson LLC Attorney at Law, Chick-fil-A, Cullman, Tony Crider, D.V.M., D & H Cycle Inc., Gulf Shores Condos—George and Joan Hammett, Grace Place, David and Shonda Kinnison, Ruth Kinnison, The Red Door Cafe, Merchants Bank of Alabama, Charles NeSmith, Heather and Brad Moody, Ron Foust, Stone Bridge Farms, Andrew and Elizabeth Page, Scott Campbell Painting, Shirley Quattlebaum, State Farm, Tonya and Chad Smith, Sturgeon Plumbing and Gas Service, Dr. and Mrs. James Thomason, Village Furniture, Wade and Gyzelle Warren, Judge Martha E. Williams, Judy and Tom Williamson.