The summer of Mummers begins

The 69th annual Summer Mummers opens Friday, so it's time to popcorn-proof those clothes and get ready for another outrageous season. The 69th annual Summer Mummers opens Friday, so it's time to popcorn-proof those clothes and get ready for another outrageous season. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close The summer of Mummers begins 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

This weekend kicks off summer in a big way with an annual tradition Midlanders can’t get enough of. The 69th annual Summer Mummers opens Friday, so it’s time to popcorn-proof those clothes and get ready for another outrageous season.

In this year’s edition, hero Neil Handstrong takes on the villainous Hateful Ed in “Psychedelic Trip to the Summer of ‘69.” A kidnapping, moon travel and free love are all part of the shenanigans in this popcorn-throwing melodrama written by Mummers member Mark Gabaldon. The second half is followed up by the olio with such favorites as “Mule Train” and the can-can dance amid a slew of specialty acts.

While Summer Mummers is all about fun, the show also serves as the chief fundraiser for Midland Community Theatre, and this year, that means a little more.

The Trump administration’s 2018 budget proposal is calling for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts. For MCT production manager and perennial Mummer Tracy Alexander, this is front and center.

“If arts funding went away, we have to rely on events like Summer Mummers to hit and exceed our goals to rely less on funding,” she said.

Alexander also serves as the president of Texas Nonprofit Theaters and is a member of Texans for the Arts. Arts funding is a perpetual issue, but Summer Mummers has also helped to create some crucial symbiotic relationships.

Audience Tips -- If you've never been to Summer Mummers, here are some tips to help with your experience. -- Lots of oily popcorn gets flung your way, so don't wear your best clothes. Consider wearing boots to wade through the inches-high flood of it all. Also, don't even think about wearing jewelry. -- Popcorn and drink purchases are done through tokens that can be purchased with cash or credit card. -- Get there early enough to see the orchestra's parade start off the night. -- The show encourages patrons to have a rowdy, good time. But if you're too rowdy, you may be asked to leave. -- If you want to avoid the popcorn, balcony seats are available. Popcorn can't be thrown from up there.

“We depend so much on businesses in the Permian Basin,” she said. “They support and sponsor us, they buy ads and provide goods and services, so it’s become this great, supportive triangle. Business helps us, and thus we can produce great shows for our patrons. It’s all very important.”

When it comes to the stage, Alexander is getting ready for her role again as Mama. She’s been a Mummer in some capacity since 1995.

“It is exciting and exhausting," she said.

There are tips for Summer Mummers audiences, but Alexander went out of the box on her personal plea to the fans.

“We put on a really great show, we work really hard for months. We would really like them to pay attention,” she said with a laugh. “There’s more to it than throwing popcorn. Come in, have a really good time and get immersed in this crazy, fabulous, adult playground and be silly, but we also want you to enjoy us.”

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IF YOU GO: Opens Friday and plays weekends through Sept.. 2 at 208 N. Colorado St. $12-$25. MCTmidland.org.