Musical Theater in the New River Valley
This clever Cole Porter musical was the choice for the fifteenth season. The 1999 revival version of the show was produced.
Producer – Robin Russell
Director – Jeff McCoy
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Pat Horne
Vocal – Charlotte Smith
The Dickens story about the homeless waif in England provided another opportunity for a large cast of youngsters (close to 50!). A very strong and seasoned cast together with an experienced group of directors and designers gave a wonderful air of excitement to the production. This production was also a great success from the front of house with two sold out nights and the highest total attendance in several years.
Producer – Ed Schwartz
Director – Greg Sherman
Music – Robert McDuffie
Choreography – Karen Stemen
Vocal – Samantha Quesenberry
Technical – Shannon Phillips
Not to follow conventional wisdom, year thirteen was anything but unlucky. The production again provided a great vehicle for the local performers to stage a spirited performance of the George Bernard Shaw classic. Lively dances with the quick-fire banter was a true crowd-pleaser. Standing ovations were the norm with this outstanding cast. The sets created a vivid backdrop for the show and included a grand staircase to match the wonderful costumes. The orchestra was wonderful under first-time musical conductor, Robert McDuffie.
Producer – Mark Jackson
Director – Chris Adams
Music – Robert McDuffie
Choreography – Denny Williams
Vocal – Robert McDuffie
Year twelve, The King and I provided a wonderful performance for the senses, with lush costumes and sets matched with great music (both voices and orchestra). The massive pillars on-stage set the tone for the production with a grand production with grand results. The large cast was well received with standing ovations every night.
Producer – Robin Russell
Director – Chris Adams
Music – John Howell
Choreography – Carol Crawford Smith
Vocal – John Howell
Year eleven, the number of performances were reduced to eight (8). An early football game made it necessary to move the final Sunday performance to the preceding Wednesday. another small problem ensued on the first Saturday performance as the air conditioning broke in Squires making it a very “hot” performance. The show was also hampered by the changing music director as Scott Cohen left the show a week before opening to take a new job in the mid-west. Dean Chiapetto came in at the last moment to help everything come together. This show was very well-received by the audience and provided a number of memorable moments.
Producer – Ed Schwartz
Director – George Bailey
Music – Dean Chiapetto
Choreography – Karen Stemen
Vocal – John Howell
Technical – Bob Edmison
Year ten provided the second children’s vehicle for SME and what a job these children did! The lead character of Annie was double cast (a first for SME) and provided a an opportunity for two youngsters to get this great experience. The role of Sandy (the dog) was also double cast, but by the dress rehearsals, only one dog was used. As expected, the show drew large audiences (with several sell-outs) and through the hard work of the orphan girls, and the two Annies, was extremely well received. This show lived up to the old adage about being on stage with kids and animals.
Producer – Ed Schwartz
Director – Peggey Rowland
Music – Scott Cohen
Choreography – Karen Stemen
Vocal – John Howell, Susie Howell
Technical – Shannon Craig
Year nine brought a much better attendance to the theatre with another well known show fresh out of revival on Broadway. This was the first year, since “Oklahoma!” that the organization rented set pieces. A few backdrops were rented to provide professional looks to several of the scenes. The show was successful from both the artistic and financial perspectives.
Producer – Bobby Perkins, Annette Perkins
Director – Tonya Bowyer
Music – Samantha Quesenberry
Choreography – Traci Basham Addison
Technical – Bob Edmison
Year eight was a real stretch for SME by producing a new show by local playwright/composer Steve Brown. The show was based on a well-known novel that spawned a half-dozen films over the years. The musical was quite faithful to the story and produced several very entertaining moments and many fine melodies. There were also rousing dance numbers and a real sword fight. As expected, the turnout was weak, largely due to the unknown title.
Producer – Tonya Bowyer, Traci Basham
Director – Steve Brown
Music – Ed Schwartz
Choreography – Pat Horne
Vocal – John Howell, Susie Howell
Technical – Joseph Cochran
Year seven again brought Rogers & Hammerstein to the stage with mixed results. The shows were well-received on one hand, but failed to draw the number of expected patrons on the other. The show also featured a large two-story unit set that the cast and crew affectionately referred to as “Titanic.”
Producer – Barbara Green
Director – Clare Fischer-Davies
Music – Samantha Quesenberry
Choreography – Traci Basham
Technical – Matthew Ridley
Year six was the first children-centric show produced by SME. This year was also different because SME was unable to work out the arrangement with Radford University and performances in Preston Auditorium were curtailed. Although it meant that there was no grueling move to Preston Auditorium half-way through the run, it also meant that not having the larger seating capacity of Preston would be a potential problem. Two additional shows were added to the run in Haymarket Theatre to help compensate for the missed seating space from the Preston Auditorium. The show featured dozens of children and a flying monkeys and high-flying balloon to whisk the Wizard away.
Producer – Johnny Loughridge
Director – Tonya Bowyer
Music – Steve Brown
Choreography – Traci Basham
Vocal – Samantha Quesenberry