The Classic Center is about to experience the most heated, curled and freshly-manicured entertainment straight from the hit stage play “Beauty Shop.” 

Shelly Garrett, the “Godfather of Black Theatre,” is bringing his sixth installment of the most successful African American stage play in history to Athens for the first time.

“People love the show because it’s so entertaining,” said Garrett, who wrote, produced and directed the play. “The audience really becomes a part of the play, and they love it.”

Written by ‘the Godfather of Black Theatre’ Shelly Garrett, ‘Beauty Shop’ was inspired by everyday gossip and chatter.

Audience-driven and interactive, the details of the play’s plot change with each performance. Centered around gossip hotter than the barrel of a curling iron, the five beauticians chat with customers while they clip and foil, occasionally involving the audience when the news is just too juicy to let sit under the dryer. 

“My inspiration came from my everyday experiences,” Garrett said. “I would go the beauty shop and get a manicure every week. I was inspired by the characters and the gossip that I saw there and later decided to write about it.”

Although perfectly timed for the last weekend of Black History Month, according to Angi Harben, the marketing manager at the Classic Center, the timing of “Beauty Shop” was nothing more than a fortunate coincidence.

“Our goal was to book the show on a Saturday night that would work with both the show’s schedule and our calendar,” Harben said. “It just so happened to be on the last weekend of Black History Month.”

Garrett said he is pleased that the performance worked out to finish off Black History Month for the Athens community, and he hopes his first show in the city will be celebrated with a packed house ready to be lathered, get lipsticked and have a good laugh. 

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Classic Center

Price: $18-24