Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its spring musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, April 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 at 2:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita’s campus.

The original story and screenplay were written by Richard Morris for the Universal Pictures film, with new music by Jeanine Tesori and new lyrics by Dick Scanlan. Scanlan collaborated with Morris to produce the show’s book.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is the story of a young woman, Millie Dillmount, who moves to New York City in 1922 in search of a new life. It is based on the 1967 film which starred Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore. The musical will include a humorous plot, bright dance numbers, an entertaining score and even the tap-dance dependent elevator.

Tickets are $8 for children and college students (with student ID) and $10 for all others. Tickets may be purchased online at www.obu.edu/finearts or at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. and one hour before curtain on show dates. For advance sales and ticket information, contact the box office by calling (870) 245-5563.

Millie Dillmount will be played by Lindsey Wright-Forga, a senior musical theatre major from Glenwood, Ark. Michael Krikorian, a junior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, will play Jimmy Smith, and Amy York, a senior musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas, will play Mrs. Meers.

Other major players include Lauren Godfrey, a senior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, as Miss Dorothy Brown, and Jacob Watson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., as Mr. Trevor Graydon. Miss Flannery will be played by Samantha Parrish, a junior musical theatre major from Forney, Texas. Daniel Collier, a junior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., and Jody Lee, a junior musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas, will play the Chinese brothers Bun Foo and Ching Ho, respectively. Cori Kidder, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., will play Muzzy Van Hossmere and also serves as the production’s dance choreographer. Rosemary “Mom” Chu, hall director of OBU’s Frances Crawford Hall West, will appear in the role of Mama.

The show is directed by Mary Handiboe, assistant professor of theatre arts, with Jon Secrest, professor of music, serving as music director. Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts, is the scenic designer; Daniel Inouye, assistant professor of theatre arts, is the costume designer; and Joey Licklider, JPAC technical director, is the lighting and sound designer.

Other members of the cast and crew of Thoroughly Modern Millie include:

Heather Baker, a junior musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas, as Ruth;

Cortnie DeVore, a sophomore musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark., as Gloria;

Rachel Street, a junior musical theatre major from Mahomet, Ill., as Alice;

Krysteena Koiner, a junior musical theatre major from Azle, Texas, as Rita;

Moriah Patterson, a freshman musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark., as Cora and a Speed Tappist. Moriah is also one of the rehearsal dance captains.

Rachel Harris, a freshman musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., as Lucille, a Speed Tappist and the New Modern;

Jessica Gibson, a senior musical theatre major from Denton, Texas, as Ethel Peas and a Speed Tappist;

Jess Flint, a freshman theatre major from Texarkana, Texas, as Mathilde and a Speed Tappist;

Valerie Martinka, a senior theatre major from Dallas, Texas, as Dorothy Parker and a Speed Tappist;

Doug Brady, a sophomore musical theatre major from Saginaw, Texas, as a Muzzy’s Boy and Ira Gershwin;

C.E. Fifer, a sophomore musical theatre major from Olney, Ill., as a Muzzy’s Boy and F. Scott Fitzgerald. C.E. is also properties co-crew head.

Steven Miller, a sophomore musical theatre major from the Philippines as a Muzzy’s Boy and Kenneth;

Chris Straw, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., as a Muzzy’s Boy and the Policeman. Chris is also the makeup crew head.

Kyle Huey, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, as the Mugger, a Muzzy’s Boy, the Letch and George Gershwin. Kyle is also one of the production dramaturges.

Max Swarner, a freshman musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas, as Rodney and a Muzzy’s Boy;

Haley Broadaway, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., as Daphne;

Bryan Brooks, a freshman musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, as Dexter;

Molly Brown, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas, as Zelda Fitzgerald and a Speed Tappist. Molly is also Publicity co-Crew Head.

Taylor Bass, a freshman musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, as The Pearl Lady and a Speed Tappist. Taylor is also one of the dance captains.

Xavier Lagunas, a freshman musical theatre major from Mansfield, Texas, as the Dishwasher;

Cessany Ford, a sophomore musical theatre major from Paragould, Ark., as a Speed Tappist. Cessany is also properties co-crew head.

Kathryn Kellogg, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., as a Speed Tappist. Kathryn is also one of the production dramaturges.

Lynley Vire, a sophomore musical theatre major from Searcy, Ark., as a Speed Tappist. Lynley is also publicity co-crew head.

Mallory George, a junior communication science major from Dardanelle, Ark., as a Speed Tappist;

Lauren Casteel, a sophomore musical theatre major from Garland, Texas, as a Modern/ Ensemble member;

Anna Ganong, a freshman education major from Jonesboro, Ark., as a Modern/Ensemble member;

Rachel Garrett-Bland, a senior theatre major from Dallas, Texas, as a Modern/Ensemble member;

Ashley Partridge, a sophomore musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., as a Modern/Ensemble member;

Jeffrey Stokes, a junior theatre major from Gilmer, Texas, is the production stage manager;

Angie Rosenblatt, a freshman music education major from Grapevine, Texas, is an assistant stage manager;

Marcie Bealer, a senior theatre major from Branson, Missouri, is an assistant stage manager;

Greg Schwartz, a junior theatre major from Texarkana, Texas, is costume co-crew head;

Abby Adams, a senior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, is costume co-crew head;

Katie Willhite, a sophomore theatre and Christian studies double-major from Rowlett, Texas, is the box office manager;

Amelia Buckmaster, a theatre and English double-major from White Hall, Ark., is the light board operator;

Adam Wheat, a junior mass communications major from Ruston, Louisiana, is the house manager.

By Emory Jacobs