Swamp Gravy: Fourth and Long Kicks Off October 5th!

There’s a certain feeling in the air this time of year: a mix of excitement, anticipation, pride, and determination. You can feel it start as soon as school starts back, and build with each passing day until finally, it’s time: kick-off!

Football is a beloved pastime deeply rooted in the cultural foundation of communities all across the South, and ours is no exception. It’s more than just a sport, it’s an opportunity to create bonds that will last a lifetime, and instills pride in self, hard work, team, and community.

There is magic that happens under the “Friday night lights,” and this season of Swamp Gravy seeks to capture some of that magic as they kick off their 26^thseason this October with a brand new production, Swamp Gravy: Fourth and Long.This season, you’ll meet a young man struggling to find his own place in the shadow of his father’s legacy; parents who refuse to accept a narrow-minded view of their son’s potential; a girl who would do anything to march with the band; a team who will fight to the very last second for the opportunity at the state championship; and more characters on and off the field who prove it’s not the final score but how you play the game that shows who you really are.

Rehearsals for the 87 members of the cast have been going strong since mid-August, but preparations began much earlier in the summer with the support of many individuals, schools, storytellers, and songwriters. For playwright and director Will Murdock, this season has resonated deeply. “I’m so thrilled for people to see what we’ve been working on. My dad’s a football coach, so it’s like these two parts of my life have suddenly collided, and to see the excitement in the cast is just amazing,” Murdock says. “We’ve had so much help from the schools and the community because they want to help us represent this part of our story – from Miller County giving us uniforms to SGA loaning us trophies, and individuals digging out their old high school jerseys, it’s clear that football means a lot to people and we’re working hard to do it justice.”

Swamp Gravy: Fourth and Long runs October 5 – 27^th, with showings Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 2:00 & 6:00. Tickets for all shows may be purchased online at www.swampgravy.com, or by calling 229-758-5450. Tickets are $22 apiece, and group rates are available. Please call to book a group!