The Department of Theatre at Mississippi University for Women will present “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. in Rent Auditorium, Whitfield Hall.
A pop culture phenomenon comes to the musical stage in ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’, the Emmy Award-winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math and more through clever, tuneful songs.
Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher, is nervous about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching TV, when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such songs as “Just a Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly” and “Conjunction Junction.” (MTIshows.com)
Director Lee Crouse said, “I loved these cartoons growing up. The cartoons proved invaluable to learning when I was younger, and the iconic songs continue to resonate with children and adults alike. The amount of music, choreography, musicians and multiple characters have pushed our students and production team, and we are all excited by the final product.”
Cast members include: Katie Ballinger, Abigail McCreary, Alysann Simpson, Payton Bellew, Barnes Locke, with an ensemble composed of Brittany Bigott, Drew Nunley and John Alex Nunnery. The show also features community member Shane Tubbs as Tom Mizer and Allison C. Jones as ensemble.
The production includes faculty members Lee Crouse, director; David Carter, scenic and lighting design and producer; Dustin Gibson, assistant technical director; and Phillip Stockton, music director. Additional community contributors include Courtney Hall, dance choreographer; Jones, costume design and dance captain; Sue Burkhalter, piano; Connely Dale, percussion; and Jon Wright, bass.
How to go
Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Door opens at 7 p.m. Friday, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday. All shows begin promptly at their scheduled times. The show will run approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased in advance, starting Feb. 18 in the Cromwell Communications Office on campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Schoolhouse Rock Live!” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
IF YOU GO:
WHO: The W Department of Theatre
WHAT: “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
WHEN: Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Whitfield Hall/Rent Auditorium at The W
TICKETS: $10 adults; $5 students. Tickets can be purchased in advance in Cromwell Communications Office, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
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