Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Division of Music will present The Drowsy Chaperone, a musical within a comedy that pays homage to the golden age of musical theatre. Performances will be held in Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita’s campus at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 19-21, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Tickets are $10 each.

“The Drowsy Chaperone is truly one of the wittiest, craziest shows I have ever gotten a chance to direct,” said Daniel Inouye, OBU assistant professor of theatre arts and director of the production. “I also love this show because of how genuinely funny the material is as well as the wonderful opportunity the show gives to our young actors to play broad, quirky characters.”

The show, which is accompanied by a live orchestra, begins with a die-hard musical comedy fan dusting off his favorite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called The Drowsy Chaperone. The album magically bursts to life in his apartment and the audience is immersed in the glamorous, comical tale of a celebrity bride and her hilarious wedding day.

“This is certainly going to be one fantastic and memorable show for people of all ages, and I know that our audiences will easily fall just as much in love with the characters and the story as we have,” said Bethany Swiontek, a senior musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo., who stars as Janet Vand de Graff. 

“I think our cast really enjoys being able to put our own personal touch on the story,” Swiontek added, calling the show “pure fun. … The songs and dances leave you not only wanting more but also wanting to jump right in and join the fun in the musical.”

Since returning to school in January, members of the cast and crew have been working diligently. “The cast as a whole is incredibly strong and gifted,” Swiontek said. “Each person brings something different to this show and in their own unique way adds to its intoxicating and contagious charisma.”

Dr. Jon Secrest, OBU professor of music, serves as the show’s musical director and publicity supervisor. Grace Whitaker, a recent OBU graduate from Hillsboro, Texas, serves as choreographer for the production. Mary Handiboe, OBU associate professor of theatre arts, serves as costume designer for the show, and Eric Phillips, OBU professor of theatre arts, serves as technical director and scenic designer. Also assisting with light and sound design is Joey Licklider, manager of Jones Performing Arts Center.

Lead members of the cast include Swiontek; Ben Stidham, a freshman musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas, as Robert Martin; Garrett Whitehead, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas, as George; Stewart Kelly, a junior church music major from Keller, Texas, as Feldzeig; Gabi Baltzley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., and Caitlin Secrest, a junior vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., are double cast as Kitty; Heather White, a senior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, as Mrs. Tottendale; Cody Myers, a junior psychology and musical theatre double major from Van Buren, Ark., as Underling; Joel Rogier, a junior vocal performance major from Glen Carbon, Ill., as Aldolpho; Shay Michael, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, and Hannah Garner, a junior vocal performance major from Saginaw, Mich., are double cast as the Chaperone; Ben Perry, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., Robby Taylor, a freshman musical theatre major from Harriman, Tenn., and Jalin Wesley, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., will play the Gangsters; Ashley Bundy, a sophomore vocal performance major from Justin, Texas, and Lola McClendon, a senior musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., are double cast as Trix the Aviatrix; and Joe Ochterbeck, a sophomore theatre arts major from Maumelle, Ark., will play the Superintendent.

Members of the chorus include: Timothy Drennan, a sophomore musical theatre major from Paron, Ark.; Truett Dishman, a freshman musical theatre major from Devine, Texas; Kayla Esmond, a junior musical theatre major from Burleson, Texas; Gemma Guiomard, a senior musical theatre major from DeSoto, Texas; Shannon Huntsman, a freshman speech communication and theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Alison Johnson, a senior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La.; DeCarl Jones, a sophomore vocal performance major from Rowlett, Texas; Nicole Mattson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas; Amanda Murray, a senior musical theatre major from Racine, Wis.; Alexis Pace, a senior musical theatre major from Sugar Land, Texas; Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark.; Blaine Surber, a freshman musical theatre major from Sulphur Springs, Texas; MaryLacey Thomson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas; Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre major from Fairmont, Neb.; and Tyler Wisdom, a freshman musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.

In addition to what the audience sees on the stage, there are more jobs to be done behind the scenes. Students cast in the production, along with the main production crew do work outside of the spotlight to get the show ready for its main performance.

Tyler Herron, a junior theatre arts major from Rosston, Ark., serves as the show’s stage manager. C.J. Bernard, a sophomore theatre arts major from Sherwood, Ark. and Sarah Davis, a junior theatre arts major from Bedford, Texas, serve as the show’s assistant stage managers. Breanne Goodrum, a junior mass communications and sociology major from Fort Smith, Ark., serves as publicity manager. Kathryn Kellogg, a senior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark., and Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., will coordinate lobby décor and ushers. Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark., will assist as dance captain. Lacey Johnson, a junior history major from Rancho Nuevo, Calif., will lead the costume crew. Alison Smith, a freshman musical theatre and psychology double major from Jonesboro, Ark., and Brooke Brackett, a sophomore musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., are hair and makeup crew coordinators. Jordan Miller, a junior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, and Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., are properties crew coordinators. Cami Willis, a freshman musical theatre major from Flower Mound, Texas, serves as sound shifting crew head and will take a lead role with lighting and video projections.

The Drowsy Chaperone debuted in 1998 in Toronto and opened on Broadway in 2006. The book was written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, and the music and lyrics are by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. In 2006, it won five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.

Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased by visiting or calling the JPAC box office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or may be purchased online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. OBU students receive one free ticket with their student IDs. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5563 from 1-5 p.m. weekdays.

By Breanne Goodrum