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Beauty queens of ‘Pageant’ return to stage for another run at title
LAWRENCE — After selling out all six performances of its summer musical “Pageant,” the University Theatre at the University of Kansas will stage encore performances at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30-Sept. 1 and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 2 on Stage Too! in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
“This show was wildly popular this summer, and we had people begging for tickets,” said Mark Reaney, professor of theatre and film and artistic director of the University Theatre. “Since this is the 50th anniversary of Murphy Hall, we decided to kick off the celebration by restaging this show. That way, people who were out of town or just missed it this summer will have another chance to see it. Bringing the ‘girls’ back to our stage is a great way to introduce the season.”
With book and lyrics by KU alumni Bill Russell and Frank Kelly and music by Albert Evans, the play, a hilarious parody of beauty pageants, was originally conceived and choreographed by Robert Longbottom.
Famed New York lyricist and director Russell directed the summer production and will return to KU for the additional performances. Musical director is Michael D. Johnson, Marion, Iowa, doctoral student. Scenic and lighting designer is Dennis Christilles, associate professor of theatre and film; and costume design is by Delores Ringer, associate professor of theatre and film. Choreographers for the production are Alicia Gian, Garden City master’s degree student; John Staniunas, associate professor and chair of theatre and film; and Cassi Stuckman, Manhattan senior.
The show is a pageant, complete with six contestants vying for the title of Miss Glamouresse, who is selected by judges from the audience. Each contestant, representing a different part of the country, competes in swimsuit, evening gown, spokesmodel and, of course, talent categories.
What makes the play so funny is that all the contestants are played by men in drag — high heels and all.
But, Russell says, “This is not a drag show!”
“It is a very funny farce,” Russell said, “but it’s not campy or frivolous. A cosmetics company is the pageant sponsor, and the play is about the way beauty is sold to women in our culture. The actors/characters are not transvestites, they are men portraying female characters. This is a great musical comedy experience for actors and these roles have been a real challenge for the student cast since they have to sing, dance, and hold the stage while dressed in women’s clothes.
Russell, who attended KU in the early 1970s, saw his first musical produced on campus. “Sun Son” was co-written with Janet Hood and produced in what is now the Inge Theatre. In 1980, Russell made his off-Broadway writing debut, penning the book and lyrics for “Fourtune.” In 1987, “Family Style,” featuring music by Hood, was presented by the Minnesota Musical Theater Workshop and, in 1989, the duo’s AIDS-themed work, “Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens,” premiered at the Ohio Theatre in Soho.
Russell’s Broadway debut came with “Side Show” with music by Henry Krieger. The musical received Tony Award nominations for best musical, best score (music and lyrics), best book and a rare joint nomination for Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner as best actress in a musical for their portrayal of the conjoined Hilton sisters.
General admission tickets for “Pageant” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; Student Union Activities, 864-7469; and online. Tickets are $15 for the public, $10 for students and $14 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. All major credit cards are accepted for phone and online orders.
Students in cast and production roles for “Pageant” are listed below by hometown, level in school and major, parents’ names (when available), high school and role.
FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Alicia Gian, master’s degree theatre student, daughter of Michael and Janis Gian; Garden City Senior High School and spring 2006 KU bachelor’s degree in theatre and voice; choreography.
JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66224
Tosin Morohunfola, sophomore theater major, son of Kenny and Ajoke Morohunfola; Blue Valley High School; Frankie Cavalier.
From Lenexa 66215
B. Michael Ford, senior majoring in theatre, son of Victor and Shelly Walker; Olathe East High School; Miss Industrial Northeast and Returning Queen.
From Overland Park 66215
Brian Patrick Ervin, senior theatre and psychology major, son of Dan and Debbie Ervin; St. Thomas Aquinas High School; Miss West Coast.
LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth 66048
Jonathan Matteson, senior theatre major, son of Christine McNiell-Matteson and Wallace Matteson; Leavenworth High School; Miss Deep South.
RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Cassi Stuckman, senior in theatre with a minor in business, daughter of Michelle McGuire; Manhattan High School; choreography.
SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66606
Spencer H. Holdren, senior theatre major, son of Jim and Teresa Turnbull; Topeka High School; Miss Great Plains.
IOWA
From Marion 52302
Michael D. Johnson, doctoral student in Slavic languages and literatures; musical director.
NEBRASKA
From Omaha 68137
Robbie Gordy, junior history, French and pre-dentistry major, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brent Gordy; Millard South High School; Miss Bible Belt.
TEXAS
From Plano 75025
Ben Cook, senior theatre major, son of Richard and Carol Cook; Plano Senior High School; Miss Texas.
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