06/12/2024
Five years ago my mom, Lynn, had a dream to build her own theatre, a place that people could come to enjoy some of the best entertainment around. She turned the warehouse of an old Ford dealership into what would be known as Moon Family Theatre. Doors opened in 2020 and artists from every walk of life took the stage as the first shows of our opening season including: Tenor for the Statler Brothers Jimmy Fortune, The Martins, Adam Calvert, Comedian Karen Morgan, Award Winning Elvis Tribute Artist Matt Cordell, Janelle Arthur, Williamson Branch, Rockland Road, Yesterday & Today, Willow Osborne and The Ball Brothers.
After years of service to this community and months contemplating her decision, Lynn finally decided it was time to retire in May of 2021. Upon this decision, she sold her properties to Jose Gutierrez, including the building situated “On the Square” that houses our theatre and Performance Academy. Upon her retirement, I took over Performance Academy and Moon Family Theatre. I would go on to operate the after-school music program for a full calendar year…writing, directing and producing two shows around the students enrolled in PA at that time. We had a phenomenal year and I couldn’t have been more proud of all of our students and coaches. In 2022, Fall Semester Registration came to a close and unfortunately, we did not have enough enrollment to meet our requirements. Performance Academy came to a halt. However, over the next year, I would hold auditions for students to come back to perform pre-shows for some of our upcoming concerts in Moon Family Theatre. There is so much talent in this county and the surrounding areas I just couldn’t let it go to waste. I hope for many years to come, the students of Performance Academy will take what they learned here and apply it, not only to their musical and artistic endeavors, but also to every aspect of their lives. Music has always been in my blood and being able to share it with the coming generation is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Although Performance Academy came to an end, I still continued operation of Moon Family Theatre and would eventually revamp the brand and rename the venue, “The Moon.” In 2022, 2023, and 2024, even more talent came through our doors: Jon McLaughlin, American Idol Winner Kris Allen, The Isaacs, grandchildren of country music bloodline Twitty & Lynn, Comedian Karen Mills, Dueling Pianos, Michael Chambliss, Dre Hilton, The Malpass Brothers, The Tams, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, and local artists Skyler Saufley, Buck Bradshaw, Andy Miller, Brandon Wheeler, Austin Miller and Kilby Kirksey & Mama’s Kin. Plus, I was able to write, produce, perform and sell-out, my very first three headlined shows, alongside some of the most talented men I know: Kody Mincey, Jasper Currington, Jade Smith and Zack Mincey…right here on this stage.
Seeing all of you walk through our doors on show nights, filled with excitement and anticipation of the entertainment to come, will always be a staple memory for me. Bringing music to this town for the last 4 years has been such a joy and has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my lifetime. Hearing stories of people traveling from Utah, Ohio, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Atlanta and all over the surrounding counties to come watch some of their favorite artists is a true testament to what I had hoped would come of this theatre. Music truly does bring people together in ways you couldn’t even imagine and I was lucky enough to experience it first-hand, right here in Buena Vista.
It definitely takes a village to have an operation like we have here and without these people, none of what you got to experience at “The Moon” would have been possible. From the very bottom of my heart…thank you, thank you, thank you…to each and every one of you who supported us along every twist and turn throughout this journey.
Assistant Director, Wardrobe Stylist, Photographer, Bartender, Janitor and everything in between: Bailey Smith
The Women That Make Us Great Women: Lynn McAllister, Whitney Smith and Grace Sauers
The Men Who Come Running When You Call (no questions asked): Kevin Smith, Pete McAllister and Travis Hill
The Moon Tech Crew: Robbie Pilcher, Bryant Rodriguez, Kody Mincey, Zack Mincey, Caleb Morales, and Caden Robinson
Snack Bar Staff: Jennifer Daniels, Autumn Daniels, Jessica Rodriguez, Shelee McCorkle, Ashley Dockery, Whitney Smith, Hannah Smith, Mildred Deal and Leah Rowland
Ticket Managers and Ushers: Ava Daniels, Audrey Morrow, Megan Po***ck, Millie McCorkle, Christopher Banks, Keylani Rodriguez, Ava Dockery, Noralee Wright, Kelly Morrow, Wayne Morrow, and Lindi Wright
PA Scholarship Sponsors: Pete & Lynn McAllister, George & Jan Williams, Jack & Jo Ward, Phyllis Blocker, Melanie Taft, Mulkey McMichael, Dawn Welch, Mike L. Moon Estate, Marlene Stehman, Hair Mekanix Salon, K & L Forest Nursery, People’s Bank of Georgia, Bill & Mary Ann Becker, and Dr. Ray Duke
The entertainment business is where my heart and soul belongs and it will always be a huge part of who I am, but right now it is time to move ahead to my next chapter. This shift, while necessary for my professional growth, is bittersweet, as it marks the end of an era that has been deeply meaningful to me. There are not enough words for me to express just how thankful I am for each and every one of you that supported me along this journey. Behind every ticket purchase was the choice to spend your Friday and Saturday nights with us. Behind every ticket purchase was the choice to trust that the talent I booked in this venue was worth paying for. Behind every ticket purchase was the choice to put politics, stress and worries to the side, and for a short period of time, come together and just enjoy listening to the music. Thank you for entrusting me with this for so many years. Thank YOU for being an integral part of our story, for your patronage, and for the countless memories we have shared. Though the curtain falls on this beloved theatre, the spirit of what we’ve created will remain in our hearts forever.
There’s a saying that goes something like this, “All good things must come to an end.”
Well, I can promise you this isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. Even though this chapter is over in Buena Vista, my job still isn’t done yet. Who knows where “The Moon” will be next.
I love you all,
Sunni
