• The Jazz Ambassadors is the United States Army’s premier big band. This 19-member ensemble, formed in 1969, has received great acclaim both at home and abroad performing America’s original art form, jazz.

  • CLICK HERE to go to the ERMA BOMBECK section.

    The touching one-woman comedy titled after Bombeck’s long-running newspaper column, is a candid commentary of her life that made her the champion of suburban housewives everywhere.

    Tickets available now. Date June 20, 2025.

U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors

Venue: Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 LaFayette Pkwy

October 26, 2025 | Time TBA CST

Jazz Ambassadors

All Concerts are free and open to the public but ticket reservations are required. Click HERE or on the button to go to the Reservation page. (link coming soon)

Known as America’s Big Band, the Jazz Ambassadors are the premier touring jazz orchestra of the United States Army. Formed in 1969, this 19-piece ensemble has received critical acclaim throughout the United States and abroad performing America’s original art form, jazz.

Performances by the Jazz Ambassadors offer some of the most versatile programming of any big band. Concerts include classic big band standards, instrumental and vocal solo features, patriotic favorites, contemporary jazz works, and original arrangements and compositions by past and present members of the Jazz Ambassadors. Many of these original works are available for free download through Perspectives, a jazz education initiative by the Jazz Ambassadors.

The Jazz Ambassadors have performed in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and Europe, and in joint concerts with the Boston Pops, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and at Carnegie Hall with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops. Appearances at international jazz festivals in Montreux, Newport, Toronto, Brussels, and the Netherlands have been met with enthusiastic acclaim, as well as concerts in England, Wales, Luxembourg, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Norway.

Jazz Ambassadors

Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End

Venue: Southside Center for the Arts, 1103 Glenn Street, Opelika

New Date: JUNE 20, 2025 | 7:00 CST

 

Southside Center for the Arts

1103 Glenn Street, Opelika

 
 

Kristy Meanor in Erma Bombeck’s: At Wit’s End

The touching one-woman comedy titled after Bombeck’s long-running newspaper column, is a candid commentary of her life that made her the champion of suburban housewives everywhere.  

“The show is full of Erma’s famous one liners that audiences will remember from the columns taped on their mother’s refrigerators,” said Wetumpka Depot Players Artistic Director Kristy Meanor.  “The material is perfect for all generations to enjoy together because her wit is timeless. While Erma was a major voice of the '60s and '70s,  millennials and beyond will appreciate that some things really haven’t changed that much.  Mothers today still are seeking that perfect balance between home and career.”

“I grew up reading her books and appreciated her humor long before I was a wife and mother, “ said Meanor who has played the role of Bombeck in various productions in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi since 2017. "Throughout my life, I have embraced Erma’s mantra- ‘If you can’t make it better, you had better laugh at it.’  Working on the piece, which is really just one hilarious monologue, I have come to appreciate that not only was Bombeck delightfully honest and funny, but she was at the forefront of being a voice for women in her support of the Equal Rights Amendment. In addition to the humor, there are also poignant moments that really champion Erma not only as activist and journalist but also as an incredible woman who helped ease the isolation we sometimes feel in our homes raising kids. She told tough truths but found the humor that got us through them.”

KRISTY MEANOR - Wetumpka Depot Players

Kristy Meanor inhabits the role in an extended monologue that traces the ups and downs of suburban home life that inspired Bombeck and triggered her career as an unlikely journalist -- a career that started small yet mushroomed to a syndicated column in some 900 newspapers, the writing of 15 best selling books, a successful lecture circuit, a stint on ABC's "Good Morning America", and a passionate support of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Kristy Meanor is the Artistic Directorfor the Wetumpka Depot Players and a Region Representative for the American Association of Community Theatres. She is also a Past President of the Alabama Conference of Theatre. Kristy has spent a lifetime in theatre as an actor, director, designer, and playwright. A Storm Came Up was born out of her appreciation for Doug Segrest's novel of the same title. With his support and collaboration, the stage adaptation has had a fully realized production (2022- Wetumpka Depot Players). The production won top honors when entered in several festivals and was one of 12 productions to perform at AACTfest2023 in Louisville, Ky. The script was also a top 12 finalist in AACT's new play festival in 2022.

director Jeff Langham with Kristy Meanor