NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre will present the Fredonia Players performing "Broadway in the Downstage" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 20 through 22, in the Downstage Theater on the SFA campus. A 2 p.m. performance is also slated for Saturday, March 22.
The performance of SFA's popular theatre musical group will feature a compilation of duets, solos and group numbers from Broadway musicals, according to Shari Ellsworth, theatre appreciation instructor at SFA and the new director of the Fredonia Players.
"This will be a variety show of musical numbers with some fun and upbeat songs and some lovely ballads," Ellsworth said. "The performance will include some dancing as well as beautiful singing.
"I hope the audience will find this to be fun and memorable, and that it will introduce them to new music as well as stir fond memories of older music that they may be more familiar with," she said.
Founded as "The Original Cast" more than 20 years ago by Dr. Alan Nielsen, the musical theatre group changed its name to the Fredonia Players a few years ago to reflect a move toward an improvisational program. Ellsworth was assistant director for Nielsen, who is now professor emeritus in SFA's School of Theatre, and she has brought the group back to its original form as a musical performance troupe.
Troupe members are: Connor Clark, Garland junior; Greg Albright, Palestine freshman; Brady Suggs, Midland junior; Ashley Mouton, Groves freshman; Andrea Nelson, Lake Dallas freshman; Brianna Veslika, West junior.
The production team includes: Taylor Dobbs, Baytown freshman, stage manager; Bruce Moran, Kingwood sophomore, sound designer; Pedro Dominguez, McAllen freshman, scenic designer; Jason Monmaney, Gilmanton, N.H., senior, lighting designer; KayCee Counts, Gladewater junior, assistant lighting designer; Caitlin Parker, Groves freshman, choreographer; Cloey Hammonds, Nacogdoches dual credit high school student, assistant costume coordinator; Randy Wuske, Orange senior, assistant director.
"Broadway in the Downstage" is recommended for mature audiences.
The Downstage Theatre is located in Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and youth. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 486-6407.