In summer 2009, the show is being revived with an all-youth cast (with the exception of Suzanne Alford, who plays Nanna). The young persons enrolled for the musical theater camp that is part of TCTC's Summer Theater Arts Review (STAR) are learning song, dance, stage technique, and the history of American musical theater.
The results of their work will be available to the public for six performances starting June 26, 2009, and to daycare centers for two morning performances. The public performances are at 7 p.m. on June 26 and July 3 and at 2 p.m. on June 27-28 and July 4-5. For tickets, click here.
Audiences will be treated to songs from the film The Wizard of Oz, the opera Porgy and Bess, and these Broadway shows: No No Nanette, West Side Story, Hello, Dolly!, Hair, Godspell, Grease, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Show Boat, Oklahoma!, Annie, My Fair Lady, TheKing and I, Fiddler on the Roof, and Oliver!
The campers range in age from fourth graders to 2009 high school graduates. They include Mollie Davies of Athens; Jordan Zurn of Bullard; Kelsey Kilgore and Lexie Rains of Flint; Tara Moore of Lindale; Danielle Benton, Hannah Booth, Gentry Fielder, Hamlyn Fielder, Joel Gibson, Taylor Holliday, Hannah Johnson, Josh Korich, Kaycee Loveless, Passion Reed, Hunter Regian, Ethan Rhoades, JJ VanDeventer, and Faith Wilkerson, all of Tyler; and Miles Fields, Chloe Kennemar, Brooke Rhodus, Kendall Rhodus, and Elaina Yeager, all of Whitehouse.
Young persons providing tech and backstage support are Kayla Belk of Winona, Andrew Goodwin of Frankston, Jessica Purser and Justin Purser of Lindale, and LeeAnna Burgdorf of Tyler.
Adults who have been working with the show include director DeAnna Hargrove and choreographer Kimberlee Martin, both of Lindale, and vocal coach Samantha Copas-Greene of Tyler. The costumes were assembled by Hargrove with assistance of Lauren Hutton of Tyler and Sheri Rains of Flint. Rains and Kathy Wood of Tyler are production managers, and the producer is Scharlanne Crozier of Tyler.
