Performers are pictured rehearsing for the opening of “All Together Now,” Lucille Ball’s Little Theatre’s first show since the pandemic began. The show will be performed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

The lights were glowing and the mics were hot this week at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown as a rehearsal for the upcoming show “All Together Now” got underway.

It has been a long time since the stage at the Little Theatre on East Second Street had any performers upon it — but dancers, singers and actors will take the stage today and Sunday for a whimsical performance — their first since March of 2020.

Director Helen Merrill said the company they purchase the rights to shows from, MTI, created “All Together Now” to help rejuvenate local theatres across the county. Little Theatre will be one of 2,700 theatres to put on the show throughout the nation. The show was provided to the theatres at no cost “to help them get off their feet,” Merrill said.

When COVID-19 hit, the theatre shut down and no money was coming in, she said. However, there were still bills to pay.

“We’re hurting like everybody else,” she said. “Prices have gone up for everything — we’re struggling.

Merrill said the shutdown was disappointing for the theatre, especially since they had a series of musicals and plays slated for 2020. She is not sure the theatre will be able to continue with the same schedule, but if need be, they will start from scratch and pick different shows.

As it stands, Merrill is thrilled to see the theater up and running.

“Everything is great — we have the lights going, and have the sound in here,” she said. “Coming in during the last two years — it was absolute stillness. It was devastating. I’ve been involved for over 50 years, and all of the sudden to come in here, my husband and I, and to have this deathly stillness. I’m happy the lights are on and the music is going to flow, and there are people all over the place again.”

The show includes a variety of songs from popular musicals that theatergoers will recognize.

Merrill said she is working with a great cast of seven people who have also directed shows and have been in many shows before.

“They do know their way around the stage, so I can handle it all differently,” she said. “A lot of times, I’m doing basic training. With this one, I don’t have to, so I can sit back a little bit more, relax and enjoy it. They’re people that have had to leave and it’s wonderful to have them back on stage, giving their time to have the theatre lit up and going and alive.”

Lindsay and Aubrey Russel, members of the Little Theatre Board, said they are excited for the show to open and to have the opportunity to share live theatre with the community once again.

“I think it’s just so exciting to have live theatre coming back,” Linday Russell said. “I think that’s been the best thing. In the time of COVID, where we couldn’t do our business of putting on shows, it’s been really scary. We weren’t sure if we could pay our bills. But just the fact that we’re back, MTI provided the show free of cost, and we have performers that are willing to come out and be part of it again — it’s just so exciting to be here, to be back and we know we are on the right track now.”

Aubrey Russell said he is also thrilled to reopen the theater doors after a long hiatus.

“Little Theatre is such an incredible space because it provides an opportunity for so many artists, actors, directors and tech designers to have a space where they can share in one another’s love for theatre and love for the arts and really express themselves,” he said. “I think that’s something a lot of us felt like we missed over the past really two years. We’re so glad to be able to open this space because this is a really safe space and a wonderful space for so many different people.”

He added that they want to thank all those who have supported the theatre over the years and through this difficult time.

“We would not have been able to reopen our doors without a tremendous outpouring of support from our community,” he said. “From all of us here and on behalf of the entire board, thank you to everybody for their contributions and for helping us get through a very difficult time together. It really is a community theatre.”

“This is just the beginning,” Lindsay Russell said. “We look forward to what we have to come — we can’t wait to announce going forward what our plans are and to keep it going.”

“All Together Now” will be performed on Friday, November 12, and Saturday, November 13th at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, a matinee will be performed at 2 p.m. Proof of vaccination is required. Masks are also required. For more information, call 716-483-1095 or find them on Facebook.