Taurean Washington of Tyler will make his TCTC debut as The Dame, the female character traditionally played by a man, who moves the action along in Chipper, a Texas Cinderella, TCTC's first play in the British pantomime or "panto" genre. As the Prairie Godmother of the Principal Boy, Charles "Chipper" Champion, Jr., played by Hannah Morris of Tyler, Washington will lead the cast in song, dance, pie fights, and general merriment.
 
As the Principal Girl, Lindy Lu Cindy Sue .... Jones, Kayla Belk of Tyler will moan about the disappearance (at midnight, of course) of her own true love, the mysterious stranger identified only as Chipper, who has left his boot behind. Chipper was last seen in the company of his faithful dawg, Dawg, played by Lisa Morgan of Chandler. Dawg will be this panto's Buttons character, who is the best friend of either the Principal Boy or the Principal Girl.
 
Every panto requires a villain, and Tyler's will have two: the widowed Jezebel Jo, Chipper's evil stepmother, and R. T. ("Artie") Rattlesnake, the lawyer who is helping Jezzie Jo cheat her stepson, Chipper, out of his rightful inheritance of the family ranch.  Sherri Priest of Whitehouse and Dwain Hare of Tyler will give the audience lots of reasons to boo, hiss, and shout to Lindy Lu Cindy Sue ... Jones: "Look behind you!"
 
Jezzie Jo's dim-bulb sons will form the panto's traditional Comedy Team. Ryan Cargill of Mineola as Johnny Joe and Justin Purser of Lindale as Jimmy Joe will play the stumbling duo who want to be chosen for a reality television show.
 
Appearing as kindly Uncle Lem, the richest man in eight counties, will be Jeff Regian of Whitehouse. Uncle Lem will host a barn dance shindig pie-eatin' contest to welcome his beautiful niece home from finishin' school.  TCTC is delighted to welcome John Tessaro of Jacksonville as square dance caller at the barn dance, together with special appearances by Lacie Carpenter of Whitehouse as featured fiddler.
 
As the Tumblin' Tumbleweeds, Marie Bowen and Kailey Cotter of Tyler and Julianna Woodall of Flint will tumble, sing and dance vaudeville numbers with the Prairie Godmother, and carry the signs that tell the audience what to do next.  (Audience participation in a panto is a must!  Audience members will be offered the chance to try on the lost boot to see if it fits -- for Lindy Lu Cindy Sue ... Jones will marry no other but the mysterious stranger whose foot fits the boot.)
 
Chorus Cowboys and Chorus Cowgirls include Michaela Bowen of Tyler as Bessie Neigh, Karahline Byrd of Tyler as Cassie Cay, Sarah Byrd of Tyler as Essie Kaye, Sam Enas of Tyler as Jerry Jack, Jessica Purser of Lindale as Alice Faye, Andrew Rainey of Tyler as Larry Lack, Samara Rainey of Tyler as Dollie Daye, and Matthew Roberts of Tyler as Quincy Quack.

Presiding over the mayhem as director will be native Brit Felicity Enas. Enas is one-third of the trio Mother Goose and Friends that wrote the panto for TCTC. Evelyn McLane (Mother Goose) and her husband, Jim McLane, will co-produce the show with Sherri Priest. The other Friend of Mother Goose, Frances Whiteside, will supply background piano music, with Suzanne Alford on the fiddle.
 
Public performances will be at 7 p.m. on Friday nights, December 4 and 11, and Saturday nights, December 5 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, December 6 and 13. The panto is suitable for all ages, from toddlers to great-grandparents. It's the second show of the Rogers Theatre season.

If you don't hold a season ticket, individual tickets may be purchased by clicking here. Unless a child is small enough to be held by an adult throughout the show, please purchase a ticket for each child old enough to occupy a seat. Make Chipper, a Texas Cinderella, a holiday outing for your multi-generational and extended family !
 
Four morning performances for school groups will be given at 9:45 a.m. on December 7 through 10. To book a class, e-mail boxoffice@tylercivictheatre.com with the number in your class (students and teachers) and your preferred date.