Musical Theater in the New River Valley
Year five again brought Rogers & Hammerstein to the stage. The show was a great crowd-pleaser and highlighted an outstanding men’s chorus that brought the house down. This was the last year that the show was performed at both Haymarket and Preston Theatres.
Producer – Sherry Hirt, Annette Perkins
Director – Bob Gribben
Music – Ed Schwartz
Choreography – Pat Horne
Vocal – Steve Brown
Technical – Jeff Berger
Year four brought two talents of our community to the leading roles of Fiddler. Steve Brown and Clare Fisher-Davies provided solid performances that deeply satisfied the capacity crowds. Simple, fragmented sets worked very effectively as a backdrop for this deeply moving production.
Producer – Sherry Hirt, Annette Perkins
Director – Jeff McCoy
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Pat Horne
Technical – Jeff Berger
The third year brought several changes to the operations of the organization. The rental of sets and costumes was discontinued and all of the sets costumes and props were created in-house. Disappointing ticket sales and the steep learning curve of technical issues made this a challenging year for SME. Otherwise, the show had some very memorable performances to match the enduring quality of the music.
Producer – Annette Perkins
Director – Karen Taylor
Music – Don Williams
Choreography – Danielle Bland
Vocal – Elaine Matuszek
Technical – Bob Clarke
The second year brought the famous team of Rogers & Hammerstein to the New River Valley stage. The production was very successful and well-received by the public. It also brought changes to the organization. In 1993, the organization moved from under the umbrella of the New River Arts Council and became incorporated as the Summer Musical Enterprise (SME). The By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation are still in use today. Sets, some costumes and some props were again rented from Weber-Prianti Productions in Delaware, keeping the yearly overhead costs to a minimum.
Producer – Sherry Hirt
Director – Charlena La Luz
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Valerie Myers
Technical – Russell Shock
Summer Musical Enterprise’s initial show provided a great vehicle for the talent of the community and started with a sold-out opening night with a special appearance by the Highty Tighties under the direction of Major George McNeill for the final scene and bows. If you are familiar with the show, all of the boys band members play the “Minuet in G” proving that Harold Hill’s “Think System” really works after all. As the orchestra swelled for the end of the scene, and the curtain closed, the Highty Tighties came in from all of the theatre entrances and after a drum roll from the pit, played “76 Trombones” along with the pit orchestra. This brought the audience to its feet for a prolonged standing ovation. This was a auspicious beginning to this organization.
Producer – Ann Hess
Director – GeorgAnne Voland-Buck
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Pat Horne
Technical – Russell Shock