The Prisoner of Zenda – August 1999

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.

Production Team

Producer – Tonya Bowyer, Traci Basham
Director – Steve Brown
Music – Ed Schwartz
Choreography – Pat Horne
Vocal – John Howell, Susie Howell
Technical – Joseph Cochran

The Sound of Music – August 1998

The Sound of Music logo

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.”

Production Team

Producer – Barbara Green
Director – Clare Fischer-Davies
Music – Samantha Quesenberry
Choreography – Traci Basham
Technical – Matthew Ridley

The Wizard of Oz – August 1997

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.

Production Team

Producer – Johnny Loughridge
Director – Tonya Bowyer
Music – Steve Brown
Choreography – Traci Basham
Vocal – Samantha Quesenberry

South Pacific – August 1996

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.

Production Team

Producer – Sherry Hirt, Annette Perkins
Director – Bob Gribben
Music – Ed Schwartz
Choreography – Pat Horne
Vocal – Steve Brown
Technical – Jeff Berger

Fiddler on the Roof – August 1995

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.

Production Team

Producer – Sherry Hirt, Annette Perkins
Director – Jeff McCoy
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Pat Horne
Technical – Jeff Berger

Mame – August 1994

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.

Production Team

Producer – Annette Perkins
Director – Karen Taylor
Music – Don Williams
Choreography – Danielle Bland
Vocal – Elaine Matuszek
Technical – Bob Clarke

Oklahoma! – August 1993

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.

Production Team

Producer – Sherry Hirt
Director – Charlena La Luz
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Valerie Myers
Technical – Russell Shock

The Music Man – August 1992

The Music Man 1992 title art

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.

Production Team

Producer – Ann Hess
Director – GeorgAnne Voland-Buck
Music – Charlotte Smith
Choreography – Pat Horne
Technical – Russell Shock