Ouachita Baptist University’s musical theatre program will stage the acclaimed musical “Hello, Dolly!” in Jones Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on April 18-20 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. Tickets are $10 per person with discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Ouachita students will receive one free ticket with the presentation of their school IDs.
“Hello, Dolly!” follows the story of Miss Dolly Levi, who pursues Horace Vandergelder, a “well-known half-a-millionaire,” in hopes of marriage. Becoming a matchmaker for other characters along the way, Dolly wishes to disperse Vandergelder’s money to the people because, according to Dolly’s late husband, “Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.”
Ouachita first presented “Hello, Dolly!” in 1988 as a collaboration between OBU’s theatre and music programs. That partnership eventually led to the development of the university’s musical theatre program.
“The opportunity to do a 25-year musical theatre reunion celebration in conjunction with the show that started a consistent collaboration between theatre and music was a strong deciding factor when we chose ‘Hello, Dolly!’” said Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theatre arts and the musical’s director. In the 1988 production of “Hello, Dolly!” in OBU’s old Mitchell Auditorium, Handiboe played the role of fake heiress Ernestina.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to be playing the lead in “Hello, Dolly!” and to be surrounded by such an incredible and talented cast for the process!” said Bethany Swionteck, a senior musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo., who is playing the lead role for this year’s anniversary performance. “Audience members of all ages are going to absolutely love this timeless classic and should come ready for some great laughs, great singing and an overall wonderful night!”
“With musical theatre, the work is engaging from the very moment the curtain comes up,” said Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music as well as the production’s musical director and publicity coordinator.
“Any time we mount a production of this magnitude, there are countless hours of time that go into its completion,” Secrest said. “We’re bringing to culmination a lot of man hours, a lot of energy and a lot of focus. The students have done remarkably well – as they always do.”
Principal Roles
Bethany Swiontek, a senior musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo., will play the lead role of Dolly Levi. Jacob Sturgeon, a senior musical theatre major from Pine Bluff, Ark, will play the part of Horace Vandergelder. Chad Burris, a sophomore musical theatre major from Van Buren, Ark., will play Cornelius Hackl. Garrett Whitehead, a junior musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas, will play the role of Barnaby Tucker and serve as the assistant dance captain.
Caitlin Secrest, a senior vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark. performing Thursday and Sunday, and MaryLacey Thomson, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas performing Friday and Saturday, are double cast as Irene Molloy.
Heather White, a senior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, performing Thursday and Saturday, and Hailey Weiner, a freshman musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., performing Friday and Sunday, are double cast as Minnie Fay.
Timothy Drennan, a senior musical theatre major from Paron, Ark. performing Thursday and Saturday, and Cody Myers, a senior musical theatre and psychology double major from Van Buren, Ark. performing Friday and Sunday, are double cast to play the role of Ambrose Kemper. Myers also is serving as the marketing intern.
Amanda Murray, a senior musical theatre major from Racine, Wis., performing Thursday and Saturday, and Michelle Levy, a senior musical theatre major from Arkadelphia, Ark., performing Friday and Sunday, are double cast as Ermengarde. Murray also is the assistant costume designer.
Shay Michael, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, performing Thursday and Saturday, and Lola McClendon, a senior musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., performing Friday and Sunday, are double cast as Ernestina.
Joel Rogier, a senior vocal performance major from Glen Carbon, Ill., will play the role of Rudolph Reisenweber.
Featured Roles
Danielle Love, a freshman musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., as Mrs. Rose.
Walter Dodd, a freshman theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark., as the Coachman and the Second Cook.
Kayla Esmond, a senior musical theatre major from Burleson, Texas, and Cami Willis, a junior musical theatre major from Flower Mound, Texas, as the Horse and a core dancer.
Tyler Wisdom, a sophomore musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., as Stanley.
Jalin Wesley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., as the First Cook.
Dr. Casey Motl, assistant professor of history, as the Judge.
Dr. Ray Granade, director of library services and professor of history; Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president for institutional advancement; and Dr. Jeff Root, dean of School of Humanities, will play Policemen.
Brooke Brackett, a junior theatre arts major from Springdale, Ark., as the Court Reporter.
CJ Bernard, a junior theatre arts major from Sherwood, Ark., as the Paperhanger and a core dancer.
Core Dancers
Stacy Hawking, a freshman musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark., will serve as the assistant choreographer and dance captain for the core dancers.
DeCarl Jones, a senior musical theatre major from Garland, Texas.
Lauren Linton, a junior musical theatre major from Coldwater, Miss.
Nicole Mattson, a senior musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas.
Todd McNeel, a junior mass communications major from Grand Prairie, Texas.
Jordan Miller, a senior musical theatre major from Rockwell, Texas.
Kaylee Nebe, a junior musical theatre major from Mesquite, Texas.
Joe Ochterbeck, a junior theatre arts major from Maumelle, Ark.
Ben Stidham, a sophomore musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas.
Blaine Surber, a junior musical theatre major from Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Chorus Members
Reed Ashley, a freshman musical theatre from Booneville, Ark.
Mattie Bogoslavsky, a freshman musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
Ashley Bundy, a senior vocal performance major from Justin, Texas.
Tara Clem, a sophomore musical theatre major from Texarkana, Texas.
Bethany Gere, a sophomore musical theatre major from White Hall, Ark.
Shannon Huntsman, a sophomore speech communication major from Little Rock, Ark.
Blakely Knox, a sophomore music major from Fort Smith, Ark.
Ben Perry, a senior musical theatre from North Little Rock, Ark.
Seth Russell, a freshman vocal performance major from Crossett, Ark.
Kenderick Scorza, a freshman theatre arts major from North Little Rock, Ark.
Jessica Smith, a sophomore musical theatre major from Van Buren, Ark.
Lily Taylor, a freshman musical theatre major from Harriman, Tenn.
Robby Taylor, a sophomore musical theatre major from Harriman, Tenn.
Lead Production Team
Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theatre arts, director.
Jon Secrest, professor of music, music director/publicity coordinator.
David Stanley, instructor of music, assistant music director.
Scott Holsclaw, dean of the School of Fine Arts, producer.
Sherry Barnard, professional choreographer from Kentucky, choreographer.
Betsy Wilson, a senior musical theatre major from Katy, Texas, stage manager.
Sarah Davis, a senior Christian studies and theatre arts double major from Bedford, Texas, assistant stage manager.
Dallas Sleeman, a freshman theatre arts major from Kentwood, Mich., assistant stage manager.
Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts, scenic and lighting designer/technical director.
Gemma Guiomard, a senior musical theatre major from DeSoto, Texas, assistant scene designer.
Joey Licklider. JPAC manager, sound designer/JPAC technical director.
Marshall Pope, theatre shop technical director, build supervisor.
Daniel Inouye, assistant professor of theatre arts, costume designer.
Katelyn Sain, a senior musical theatre major from Grand Prairie, Texas, costume crew head.
Lacey Johnson, a senior history major from Rancho Mirage, Calif., makeup crew head.
Alexis Nichols, a senior musical theatre major from Arkadelphia, Ark., properties crew head.
Linda Hatcher, JPAC box office manager, box office manager.
Alison Johnson, a senior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La., house manager/publicity crew head.
Tickets may be purchased at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. and one hour before show times. Tickets may also be purchased with credit card by phone or online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. For more information, call the box office at (870) 245-5555 during regular box office hours. Also, each current OBU student may receive one free ticket to the show by presenting his or her OBU ID at the box office.
