 Sponsored by "SC Woman Magazine"September 8-12 & 15-19
Kicking off the season Sept. 8 is the musical everyone is talking about , sponsored by S.C. Woman Magazine and based on the book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." With music and lyrics by Carol Hall, the show carries a strictly adult theme and is not recommended for anyone under age 16. "There may be some language that is offensive to some and due to copyright, we will not be altering the script," said Tim McGhee, show director. "But we are very excited about this show. It is one of the first shows we've done in a long time with a lot of dancing and it is for entertainment only."  The 1970s musical comedy focuses on a chicken ranch in Gilbert, Texas, which covers for a house of ill repute in business for some 150 years, as far as locals can recall. The owner, Miss Mona (played by veteran actress and president of the Theatre of Republic board of directors, Janet Mayers of Conway) is generous with her donations to community charities, which provides incentive for the good folks of Gilbert and its sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd (played by seasoned performer and Myrtle Beach attorney Fred Harris) to turn their heads to the actual workings of the ranch. In the cast of 35, Miss Mona's girls are played by mother/daughter duo Julie and Amellia Diemer, Leigh Savageau, Megan Reyes, Karen Bland, Beth Robichaud, Angela Nicholas, Jennifer Pedersen, Susan Mungo and Amy Alexander. In the role of Jewel (Miss Mona's assistant ) is Conway resident Melvira Johnson, returning to the stage in her first major role. Terri Moody of Conway, who is providing choreography along with Natalie Miles of Conway, will play the role of Doatsey Mae, the waitress and all-American girl who always dreamed of what it would be like to work for Miss Mona.  Steven Purcell of Myrtle Beach, is the raving watchdog reporter Melvin P. Thorpe. The part of the Governor is played by Sam Jones of Carolina Forest who portrayed Nick Arnstein in "Funny Girl." Jones is a veteran of the TOR stage and past board member and director and is entertaining with his rendition of "The Side Step." Jimmy Brown of Conway will serve as the band leader and Mayor as TOR introduces a live band to the stage, The Uncle Dick's Hat Band. This trio of Conway residents is making their TOR debut, Trio Includes Shane Hubbard ,Gary Long, Brent Swain , while Brown is making a comeback after a 12 year hiatus from the theater.  The part of Edsel is being played by Tom DeCarlo veteran to TOR stage and serving on the Board of Directors. The part of C.J. Scruggs is played by Steve Gordon of Little River. Gordon, a physical therapist, is in his fifth production with TOR and his third musical. Texas Senator Wingwoah is played by Phillip "Smokey" Jakey of Myrtle Beach, a theater employee and backstage manager. Last seen in "Funny Girl," he made his debut as Norman in "The Boys Next Door." Jakey is also set designer, with Tim McGhee. Other Cast Members involved are Laura Flint, Leah Koble, Ellen Leftwich, Robert Kerson, Christopher Carr, Ashley Carroll, Edward Dawsey, Pat Klinck, Rod Reichman, Charles Nobles, Tanner Massey Josh Sanchez, Dolores Baltis, Wayne Chestnut, Marcin Wasowick, and Adam Kaminski. The show will benefit from the experience of music director Diana Scroggins of Surfside Beach, lighting director Brian Carter of Conway makeup and hair designer J.P. Perez of Myrtle Beach and costume designer Sandy Flora of Conway. Tickets are now open officially to the public, call now while good seats are still available. Show dates and times are 8 p.m. Sept. 8-11 and Sept. 15-18 and 3 p.m. Sept. 12 and 19. For tickets call the "Stage Right" office at 488-0821. |
For 35 years, live theater has flourished in Horry County. This year, the Theatre of the Republic is not only stretching its schedule to include more shows, it is offering productions never seen on the Main Street Theatre stage and ones that require audiences to stretch their imaginations.|
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