Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES - Tickets are now available for the SFA Friends of Theatre's fundraiser, "Food and Foolery," from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at Union Café, 3205 N. University Drive in Nacogdoches.

All proceeds will benefit a new need-based scholarship for a Stephen F. Austin State

University theater student and be matched dollar-for-dollar by the event's corporate sponsor, Express Employment Professionals. Dress is casual business attire.

"Enjoy the end of your busy day with tasty appetizers and two drinks on us," entreated event co-chair Rhonda Williams, CEO of Express Employment Professionals. "Everyone will receive an exciting gift bag full of goodies from Belk Department Store of Nacogdoches, and lively entertainment will be provided by the School of Theatre's talented and clever musical troupe, the Original Cast."

SFA Friends of Theatre's president, Betty Ann Taylor, said the event represents a new direction for the group which has long supported live, dramatic performances at SFA, but is now looking to expand its assistance to the School of Theatre.

"We couldn't be more grateful for the re-energized generosity of the organization and businesses such as Belk, Union Café and UV Vodka," said Scott Shattuck, director of the SFA School of Theatre. "The scholarship will mean so much to a deserving theater student."

Tickets for "Food and Foolery" are $25 per person and may be purchased by logging on to www.sfasu. edu/finearts, by visiting the SFA Fine Arts Box Office in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, Room 211, or by calling (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. For more information, contact Taylor at (936) 559-1092.

Stephen F. Austin State University's The Original Cast will present "Babes Off Broadway: A Salute to the Mickey and Judy Movies" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, through Saturday, March 29, in the Downstage Theater of the Griffith Fine Arts Building. The ensemble will also present a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.

The Original Cast, established in 1991, is the SFA School of Theatre's cabaret-improvisation troupe that presents an original musical revue each spring and performs for civic groups and other sponsors throughout East Texas.

Dr. Alan Nielsen, professor of theater and director of the ensemble, said the Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland musical films of the 1930s -- "Babes in Arms," "Babes on Broadway," "Girl Crazy" and "Strike Up the Band" -- provide the inspiration for this year's revue.

The script, which was developed with input from the student cast, ties together songs by Rodgers and Hart and George and Ira Gershwin with dancing and short skits.

"The plots of the Mickey and Judy movies were pretty much the same -- an economic crisis comes along and the kids decide the only way to save the day is to put on a show," said Nielsen. "So we've sort of jumbled all the plots together with our own special twists -- there's even a surprise from 'The Wizard of Oz.'"

Cast members include senior theater majors Elizabeth Davis of Wylie and Katie McBroom of Arlington. Also, junior theater majors Jessee Foudray of Waller, Nate Reid of Austin, Brenda Truett of San Angelo and Sarah Zabinski of League City.

Also in the troupe are freshman theater majors Waldron Archer of Hutto, David Hathway of El Campo and Robert Meza of Cypress, and British exchange students Ann- Marie Agwunobi, Richard Loftus, J.D. Marsh, Disa Stefansdottir and Kerry Tanner.

"Babes Off Broadway" is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre. The Griffith Fine Arts Building is located at 2222 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for seniors, students and youth. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call 936-468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.