Flashing lights around the marquee at Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown indicate that a show will be performed later that evening.

And that’s part of the allure and charm of LBLTJ, located at 18 E. Second St. where

shows continue to draw area audiences that love dramas and musicals.

That may be a reason why LBLTJ won the 2023 Best of the Best for live theater in Chautauqua County. Weston, LBLTJ board president, also knows what a gem the theater is.

Pictured is the Best-of-the-Best seal.

“We were very honored to be selected,”Weston said about the award.

Weston said choosing the right show “is literally, a year-long process.” There is a committee, she said, that researches and reads scripts that are available.

“They (committee members) come together on a monthly basis and talk about what they’ve read, and pass scripts around or things they’ve heard of. Anyone on the board (of directors) or community members that have a show that they’re interested in, can bring those ideas to this committee, and they (committee members) can consider them,” Weston noted.

Weston said 2024 will be similar to 2023. In 2024, a performance of The Outsiders will be held during February.

“The Outsiders is the next big thing that we’re doing. People know the book, they read it, and kids are reading it in school. There’s other shows where like, maybe you’ve heard of them before, but it’s a modern twist on something. It’s a new playwright who’s made a taken a spin on a classic that you know, and made it their own, and we’re able to bring that new version of it to our stage,” Weston said.

Here are some shows slated for the new year.

– The Outsiders: The Outsiders is a searing story of real kids in real situations with real consequences seen through the eyes of young Ponyboy. Territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids — the Socs — and Ponyboy’s tough, underprivileged “greaser” family and friends are just a part of life. But even in the midst of urban gang warfare, somehow Ponyboy can’t forget a short poem that speaks to their fragile young lives. This heroic story of belonging, friendship, and maintaining hope in the face of struggle is a powerful reminder of what young people encounter every day. Performances scheduled for February – lbltj.com.

– Emma: A playful twist on a classic. Emma Woodhouse prides herself on being a matchmaker with an impeccable track record, much to the chagrin of her dear friend Mr. Knightley. Her latest scheme revolves around the sweet Harriet Smith, whom Emma advises to reject a perfectly good marriage proposal in favor of another eligible bachelor. However, her best-laid plans are turned upside down by unpredictable displays of affection, unexpected rivals and Emma’s sudden realization that true love may have been under her nose all along. With screwball comedy and surprises aplenty, this fresh, fast-paced world premiere interprets the Jane Austen classic with delightfully unconventional flair. Performances scheduled for March – lbltj.com.

– Rock Of Ages: It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip’s last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherri, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherri and the gang save the strip – and themselves – before it’s too late? Only the music of bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer. Performances scheduled for September – lbltj.com.

– Dracula The Musical: It is is a thrilling drama of suspense and a Gothic romance of dreamlike temptation. Set in Europe at the end of the Victorian Age, the story follows the famed vampire as he lusts for new blood. Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray fall victim to Dracula’s unnatural charm and, along with Doctor Van Helsing, must fight Dracula’s supernatural powers. Performances scheduled for October – perfect for Halloween – lbltj.com.