I had a chat with Tacoma Little Theatre’s interim artistic director Doug Kerr last week. The theater is about to start its 90th season.

Kerr has been filling the director’s chair until a permanent replacement can be found. Former director David Duvall resigned in July.

Kerr says the theater “may be the oldest cultural entity left here in Tacoma. There are a lot of loyal patrons of this place.”

Kerr has freelance directed for TLT, Lakewood Playhouse and Centerstage Theatre. He headed the theater program at Pierce College until he retired in 2001.

Why come out of retirement to help TLT?

“I just don’t want to see another theater die in this town," he told me.

To be clear, TLT is not on its deathbed. But, it could use some financial help, Kerr said. “We’re stressed (financially),” he said. TLT’s season ticket campaign did not get off the ground, he said. Season ticket sales are crucial to most theater’s well being.

This is a tough time of year for any theater but Duvall is looking forward. He’s bullish about the upcoming season.

The season is opening Sept. 12 with “Much Ado About Nothing,” set in 1812 with costumes by Alex Lewington.

Other shows this season include “Leaving Ladies, ” a farce by Ken “Lend me a tenor” Ludwig and “Dear Santa” by Norm Foster. Kerr calls "Santa" a charming play that everyone will love.

Kerr is optimistic about local theater and TLT in particular. “This theater has a rich tradition in Tacoma,” he said. And Kerr is putting all his energies into keeping that tradition alive.

Matthew Lillard, left, with other cast members of "Scooby-Doo"

Hollywood actor Matthew Lillard, probably best-known for his work as Shaggy in 2002's "Scooby-Doo" and its 2004 sequel, "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed," will be on hand for the opening of the Gig Harbor Film Festival on Sept. 11 and 12.

The festival is new this year, and Lillard's mom, Paula Lillard, is one of its founders and serves as vice president of its board of directors. Thanks to that family connection, Matthew will be attending an invitation-only VIP opening night party on Sept. 11, at the festival's hospitality office at the Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center. The following day he'll introduce a 7 p.m. screening of one of his films, 2007's "One of Our Own," at the Galaxy Uptown 10 multiplex, 4649 Point Fosdick Drive N.W. He's the star and also the co-producer of the drama about difficulties encountered by a couple who hires a woman to be a surrogate mother. He'll stay to answer questions after the screening, said festival president Marty Thacker.

The festival will run through Sept. 14.