Preparations are underway for a special performance of Putting on the Ritz.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the event, which serves as the primary fundraiser for the Greenville Area Arts Council. The money raised from the ticket sales is used to bring professional shows to the Ritz Theatre throughout the year.

On Tuesday more than 40 members of the cast and crew of the Ritz Players gathered to begin working on the show, which will feature favorite numbers from the last nine years.

“Our support crew, including David Norrell, Charlie Kennedy, Sonya Rice, Amy McClain and Joni Thomas have been hard at work preparing for this grand celebration,” said GAAC Executive Director Nancy Idland. “In the last eight years, 225 people have been a part of this wonderful production that is the event of the year in Greenville.”

As part of the 10-year celebration, some of the tunes will be performed by the cast member that originally brought the number to the Ritz stage, however, there will also be plenty of new faces joining the cast.

“As usual we did hold auditions, so there will be newcomers to our stage, as well as some that have been away for a few years,” said Idland. “Of course, there will be many cast members that have been performing for seven, eight and even nine years.”

To help commemorate the anniversary, Pecan Ride Productions will be producing a “memories video,” according to Idland.

“There are a lot of special events that coincide with the show,” Idland said. “We will be hosting a silent auction that will include items created by Greenvillians. There will even be vintage and collectable items available. As always, one event that makes me especially proud is the presentation of the show to the Greenville schools. More than 900 students are able to see the show as a special matinee by our cast.”

The Putting on the Ritz performances are scheduled for April 21, 22 and 23 at the historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Greenville.