Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present the play The Doctor in Spite of Himself, by Molière Feb. 18-21. Performances will be held in Verser Theatre on Ouachita’s campus at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 18-20, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21.

This neoclassical comedy is directed by Mary Handiboe, OBU associate professor of theatre arts. The students “have all brought a strong level of commitment and creativity to the work, even when the flu plagued our rehearsals,” Handiboe said. “It's been amazing to watch the students fulfill the old adage of ‘the show must go on.’”

Atypical of most of Molière’s comedies, the play was originally written in prose. Adapter Timothy Mooney took the playful plotline and re-crafted it into verse, making the production more typical of Molière’s other work. The Doctor in Spite of Himself is filled with ridiculous antics, delightful characters and witty repartee. Hilarity ensues when no one can tell the difference between a peasant woodcutter and a doctor.

The cast of The Doctor in Spite of Himself includes: Kyle Huey, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, as Sganarelle; Xavier Lagunas, a sophomore musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, as Leandre; Jody Lee, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, as Geronte; Jacob Watson, a junior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., as Lucas; Jeffrey Stokes, a former student from Gilmer, Texas, as Valere; Bethany Swiontek, a freshman musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo., as Martine; Heather White, a freshman musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, as Lucinde; Molly Brown, a senior musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas, as Jacqueline; Kathryn Kellogg, a junior musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark., as Madame Robert; Rudy Jones, a sophomore theatre major from Smackover, Ark., as Thibaut; and Sam Spradling, a junior theatre arts major from Italy, Texas, as Perrin.

The lead production team members include: Eric Phillips, OBU professor of theatre arts, as scenic designer, technical director and lighting supervisor; Ashley Partridge, a junior musical theatre major from Baton Rouge, La., as costume designer; former student Jeffrey Stokes as assistant costume designer; Daniel Inouye, OBU assistant professor of theatre, as costume supervisor; Michael Krikorian, a senior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, as lighting designer; Moriah Patterson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark., as stage manager; and Steven Miller, a junior theatre major from the Philippines, as assistant stage manager.

Tickets are $6 per person and may be purchased by visiting or calling the JPAC box office weekdays from 2-5 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased online at http://obu.edu/finearts. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5563 from 2-5 p.m.

By Jeffery Harmon