Grantors

Special Thanks

A special shoutout to our new Marketing Partners and special friends:

The Hangry Bulldog Catering Company

The Shoobies Band

Caroline LaRocca Event Design

Parrot Heads of the Blue Ridge

Rob Besselo and Roanoke College

Shannon Shaffer

Donors

We would like to thank all of our 60th Anniversary Season Donors, you are the real Arts heroes!

Donors

Standing Ovations 2024

Gifts of $5000 or more

The Honorable and Mrs. G. Steven Agee *

Anonymous, Eight donors to Mill Mountain Theatre

Avis Construction Company, Inc.

Brandon Oaks Retirement Community

Carilion Clinic

Center in the Square

Ceres Foundation, Inc.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Davenport & Company LLC

Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc.

Friendship Foundation

Gentry Locke Attorneys

The Sam & Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Virginia B. Jarrett *

Junior League of Roanoke Valley, Inc.

The Louise R. Lester Foundation

Marsh McLennan Agency

The McGuire Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation

Pinnacle Financial Partners

City of Roanoke Arts Commission

The Honorable and Mrs. Frank W. Rogers, III *

The Shubert Foundation

Mr. Maury L. Strauss

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

Trane

Txtur - Fire House One Boutique Hotel

Virginia Commission for the Arts

‍

Producers 2024

Gifts of $2,500-$4,999

Business Solutions, Inc.

Carolina Connection

Delta Dental of Virginia

Ms. Sarah Copenhaver and Mr. G. Franklin Flippin, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs. W. Heywood Fralin Sr. *

Freedom First Federal Credit Union

Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Garbee *

Mr. and Mrs. John Higginbotham

Jewell Machinery

Kiwanis Club of Roanoke

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Klute *

Dr. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia Ph.D. *

MaryJean and John Levin

The Roanoke Star

City of Salem

Skyline National Bank

Edgar Thurman Foundation For Children

Truist Bank

Ms. Karen H. Waldron

Stars 2024

Gifts of $1,000-$2,499

ARD Properties LLC

Mr. and Mrs. John T. Avis *

Better Sofas, Inc

Mr. and Mrs. Abney S. Boxley, III *

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Brailsford

Ms. Amy Bridge *

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Brock, Jr.

The Candy Store

Cary Street Partners Financial

Claytor / Wirt Associates

Mr. and Mrs. W. Patton Coles, IV *

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Cumins

Davidsons

Dominion Risk Advisors, LLC

Dunkenberger-Waskey Group at Morgan Stanley

Elk Hill Advisors, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Elliot

Entre Computer Center

First Citizens Bank

5 Points Creative

Mr. & Mrs. J. Spencer Frantz

Frith, Anderson + Peake, P.C.

Dr. Gary E. Glontz

Mr. and Mrs. Will Griffeth

Dr. Robyn Hakanson and Mr. Erik Moledor *

Mr. Harry W. Hamilton, III

HCA Healthcare

Howell's Motor Freight, Inc.

Innovative Insurance Group

Mr. Howard Jones, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kerkering

Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Lawrence *

Dr. and Mrs. Lee Learman *

CP & MG Lunsford Charitable Trust

Lunsford, A Trustpoint Company

Mast General Store, Inc.

Miller, Long & Associates, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nave

Amanda Nelson, PhD. *

Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Norris *

Oakey's Funeral Service & Crematory

Ms. Yvonne Olson

Mr. & Mrs. J. Lee E. Osborne *

Mr. and Mrs. James G. Petrine *

Mrs. Carolyn Rakes *

Roanoke Gas Company / RGC Resources Inc.

Mr. and Dr. John G. Rocovich *, Jr.

Savara Hospitality, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Smith *

Dr. and Mrs. Donald G. Smith, Jr.

Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division

Ms. Leslie B. Strauss

Mr. and Mrs. Steven S. Strauss

Sun Tan City & Buff City Soap

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Tenzer *

Dr. Bruce R. Thomas and Ms. Linda Bowden

Dr. and Mrs. John T. Tielking

Universal Health Corp

Mr. Charles J. Wehrmeister *

Mr. and Mrs. Barton J. Wilner

Leading Roles 2024

Gifts of $500 to $999

The Allstate Foundation

Mr. Peter Barber and Ms. Rachel Sailer

Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop *

Mr. and Mrs. W. Chan Bolling *

Mr. and Mrs. J. Keith Bown

Ms. Vickie Clarke

Ms. Dorothy S. Clifton *

Mr. & Mrs. Grimes W. Creasy

Mr. & Mrs. H. Lawrence Davidson

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Hoff

Kendra Scott LLC

Dr. and Mrs. David A. Kinsler

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Lee *

Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Malpass

Mr. and Mrs. Robert McMican

Member One Federal Credit Union

Dr. Suzan R. and Dr. John R. Merten

MKB Realtors

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Morgan

Mr. and Mrs. David Mortlock

Ms. Leisa Mundy

The Newbern Foundation

Ms. Nancy R. Patterson *

Mr. and Mrs. William N. Powell

Dr. Randall R. Rhea

Roanoke Valley Orthodontics

Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Shelor

She's International Boutique

Dr. and Mrs. Bertram Spetzler

Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Vaughn *

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Walton

Mr. and Mrs. Damon W. White

Woods Rogers PLC

The Honorable Michael A. Wray

VIPs 2024

Gifts of $250-$499

Dr. Felicity Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Alee

E R Bane Trust

Dr. Alfonso Brochero

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Brown

Ms. Helen A. Burnett

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Dill

The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. David Dixon, III

Mr. and Mrs. Cecil G. Doyle

Dr. Kevin F. Ducey and Mrs. Minh-Chau T. Dang

Mrs. Kerry Edmonds *

Mrs. Marianne E. Gandee

Dr. and Mrs. Charles D. Gilliland

Mr. and Mrs. W. Blair Godsey

The Honorable and Mrs. Robert W. Goodlatte

Ms. Nancy O. Gray and Mr. David N. Maxson *

Dr. & Mrs. J. Bruce Hauser

Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Hoyt

The Honorable Joseph P. Johnson, Jr.

Mr. Talfourd H. Kemper

Laurence Kufel *

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lancaster

Anna and Tom Lawson

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk A. Ludwig

Dr. Elizabeth Rice Martin and Mr. Eddie Martin

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip McKeage *

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Miller

The Muse Family Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Nordt, III *

Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Nordt, Sr.

Dr. and Dr. Michael S. Nussbaum

Dr. and Mrs. John W. Pendleton

Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Sandel

Mr. and Mrs. James D. Sheahan

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael M. Traen

UBS Financial Services, Inc

Pamela Westgate

Mrs. Pamela H. Wiegandt

Scene Stealers 2024

Gifts of $1-$249

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Adams

Ali Ahmad

Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Akers

Ms. Phyllis Albritton

Ariam Allen

Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Althouse

AmazonSmile Foundation

Ms. April Amend

American Online Giving Foundation / Benevity

Ms. Cassy Ammen

Anstey Hodge Advertising Group

Mr. Andrew S. Arbury, III

Mr. Philip Argabright

Ms. Ann Armstrong

Ms. Nancy Armstrong

Mr. Colin Arnold

Mrs. Courtney Ashby

Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Ashwell

Ms. Mandy Atkinson

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Aukward

Ms. Patricia Austin

Ms. Lori Baisden

Ms. Suzanne Baker

Mr. & Mrs. D. Stan Barnhill

Ms. Mary Baron

Dr. and Mrs. Vincent T. Basile

Mr. Dustin Bays

Mr. Rodney Beale

Ms. Anna Beard

Ms. Suzanne Bell

Ms. Alicia Besenyei

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Beury

Ms. Kathy Bibb

Mr. Lawrence Bland

Ms. Cynthia Blevins

Mr. Scott Bloebaum

Ms. Lisa Boggess

Reverend Bronwen Boswell

Dr. and Mrs. John Bouldin

Ms. Victoria Braaten

Mr. Joseph Brabant

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bradshaw, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Dale R. Branham

Ms. Mary Brewer

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Bringewatt

Mrs. Donna D. Brogan

Ms. Blanche Brower

Mr. James Brumfield

Ms. HelenRuth Burch

Mr. and Mrs. Webb Burns

Mr. and Mrs. John Busher

Teri Byers

Ms. Holly Cannon

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Carlin

Ms. Katherine Carpenter

Mr. David Carpenter

Mrs. Jaclyn Carter

Ms. Sue Cathcart

Ms. Brenda F. Chapman

Ms. Cynthia Chappelka

Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Clemmer, Jr.

Ms. Elizabeth Cline

Mr. William Colbert

Mr. Thomas Conlee

Mrs. Angela Corn

Mr. and Mrs. James G. Cosby

Mrs. Jane Coulter

Frankie Courtemanche

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Cribbs

Mr. Steve Cronemeyer and Mrs. Kathryn Vanness

Dr. Erin Cruise

Ms. Catherine Cummins

Ms. Hope Cupit

Mr. and Mrs. Declan F. Daly

Ms. Debbie Dangerfield

Mr. and Mrs. Russel M. Danstrom

Mr. Joseph B. Dashiell

Ms. Margaret Davies

Ms. Janet Davis

Ms. Nancy Deemer

Ms. Janie Dowdy

Dr. and Mrs. F. Joseph Duckwall

Dr. Elizabeth H. Duckworth & Mr. John M. Duckworth

Rebecca Dunkenberger

Ms. Kay Dunkley

Ms. Leigh E. Dymond

Mr. Charles L. Echols Jr.

Ms. Melvina Edwards

Mr. Bradley Edwards

Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Ellett

Ms. Barbara T. Epperly

J.D. and G.W. Eure

Ms. Diana Fain

Dr. and Mrs. Newell R. Falkinburg

Ms. Jenny Falvey-Purviance

Colleen Farmer

Mrs. Jane Farmer

Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Fassie

Mrs. Janet Faulkner

Ms. Elizabeth Ferguson

Ms. Carrie Ferrel

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael E. Ferris

Ms. Karla Fields

Mr. Andrea Fillbrunn

Mr. Charlie Finesilver

Mr. and Mrs. Broaddus C. Fitzpatrick

Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Fitzpatrick

Ms. Shirley W. Fletcher

Ms. Lynn Fryer

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Fuller

Mr. and Mrs. Harford W. Gardner

Dr. Christina Gardner

Mrs. Jennifer Gibbs

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goodpasture

Mr. Dean Grady

Ms. Julie Graham

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Grant

Ms. Wanda Green

Ms. Shannon Green

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Greer

Mrs. Diana Hackett

Dr. & Mrs. J. Bruce Hagadorn

Ms. Marie Hall

Ms. Amanda Harrison

Dr. & Mrs. Geoffrey Harter

Mr. Jerry Hartman

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Harvey

Ms. Katherine Havener

Mrs. Barbara Hawkins

Ms. Ann Hawley

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes

Ms. Thelma T. Haynesworth *

Ms. Terri Haywood

Mr. Paul Heinmiller

Ms. Paula T. Hemberger

Ms. Brandie Henderson

Ms. Mariana Hermosilla

Mr. James Hickerson

Ms. Jessica Hilbish

Mr. Frank F. Hill, Jr.

Mr. Nelson Hill

Mr. Robert Hiltonsmith

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hoagland

Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Hodgson

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Holdgreve

Mr. Ray Hollowell

Mr. Mansell Hopkins

Mr. Matthew Horwatt

Dr. Chris Howard

Ms. Julie Hunsaker

Dr. David Hunt and Mrs. Ellen Aiken

Ms. Sylvia Hutto

Mr. Robert Iseminger Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. John Jackson

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Janoschka

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jarrett

Ms. Ann Jennings

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Jernigan Jr.

Marcia and Lewis Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Pegram Johnson, III

Drs. Cynda and Bruce Johnson

Drs. James and Janet Johnson

Ms. Eleanor Jones

Mr. Jonathan Thomas & Ms. Jennifer Juul

Dr. and Mrs. James A. Kelly

Mr. Bain Key

Ms. Layla Khoury-Hanold

Mr. David Kibler

Dr. Kristin Kirk

Ms. Kathy Kiser

Ms. Susan Kramer

Mr. Kurt Kreider

Kroger

Dr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Kunkle

Ms. Kelly Kuykendall

Ms. Paula Laag

Ms. Jane Labanz

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Laughon

Dr. Katherine Liebesny

LinDor Arts

Ms. Sue Lindsey

Mrs. Ellen Linkenhoker

Ms. Amanda Lockridge

Dr. Rob Logan

Ms. Katelyn Ludlow

Mr. and Mrs. Pat Maddox

Mr. James Mansfield

Mr. David Marchette

Ms. Tara A. Marciniak

Mr. Gene H. Marrano

Ms. Martha L. Martin

Ms. Nan Coleman and Mr. James B. Massey *

Ms. Anne Mastin

Ms. Nancy Mastry

Ms Melissa Palmer

Ms. Lee B. McBride and Ms. Katherine M. Rakes

Mr. Jeffrey McClintock

Ms. Victoria McClure

Ms. Marian McConnell

Mrs. Maston R. McCorkle, Jr.

Ms. Susan McCoy

Ms. Amber McLoney

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McMahon

Dr. and Mrs. Robert McNamara

Mr. Ross Meecham

Paul and Robert Metz

Ms. Elizabeth Midkiff

Mr. Brian Milam

Mr. Jeffrey Miller

Mr. Patrick Miller

Mrs. Kristin Mirenda

Ms. Donna L. Mitchell

Mrs. Forrest Moore

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen F. Moore

Megan Moore

Ms. Helena Moreno

Mr. and Mrs. George Morris

Ms Katherine Mortara

Ms. Elizabeth M. Mory

Mr. and Mrs. Gus Moysakis

Mr. Broderick Munsey

Mrs. Cynthia Musgrove

Mr. Robert Myers

Ms. Cheryl Myers

Mr. Kenneth W. Nagele

Ms. Rhonda Neely

Mr. and Mrs. John Nicklo

Dr. and Mrs. James R. Niederlehner

Ms. Connie Nipper

Ms. Betsy Nixon

Mrs. Rochelle S. Nolan

Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Nordt, III *

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip C. North

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald B. Overstreet

Ms. Heather M. Pace

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Page Jr.

Ms. Teresa Parmer

Ms. Dale Parris

Mr. & Mrs. John C. Parrott, II

Ms. Jessica Partin

Mr. Jeffrey Pasciak

Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Pasternak

Dr. & Mrs. Mark Patterson

Judge Richard C Pattisall Retired & Mary H Pattisall

Mr. Danny Paul

Paypal Giving Fund

Ms. Barbara Pendergrass

Mrs. Amy Peterson

Ms. Joan K. Petrus

Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Phillips

Mr. Christopher Pierce

Mr. Donald Poe

Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Porter

Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Powell

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pratt

Mr. & Mrs. Alton B. Prillaman

Mr. and Mrs. Norman A. Prince

Ms. Elizabeth Proch

Dianne & Nick Prout

Mr. Len Rausch

Dr. and Mrs. Wayne G. Reilly

Ms. Stephanie M. Reynolds

Ms. Judith Reynolds

Mr. and Mrs. Curt Richert

Father Neal Roberts

Mr. and Dr. Robert Robillard

Mr. Marty Robinette

Ms. Jessica Rodriguez-Privett

Mr. Paul Romeo

Mr. and Mrs. Mickey E. Ross Jr.

Mr. Carl Milton Rowan

Ms. Mary Russell

Mr. and Mrs. Walton I. Rutherfoord

Ms. Ellen Ryan

Mr. Anthony Saldo

Ms. Margie Sanders

Jill Sandidge

Mr. Jason Saunders

Mr. Carter Schaeffer

Ms. Winter Schassberger

Ms. Brynn Scozzari

Ms. Tambria Scruggs-Duncan

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Selvey

Mr. James W. Settle

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick N. Shaffner

Ms. Beth Shelly

Ms. Karen Shelor

Mr. John J. Sheridan

Ms. Alison Sherman

Ms. Sharon Shirey

Mr. Chuck Silverman

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Sink

Ms. Karen Skeens

Ms. Diane T. Smith

Ms. Mary J. Snedegar

Mr Michael P Snow

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Snyder

Ms. Terry Southerington

Mrs. Jennifer Sowers

Mr. Steve Spencer

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Stapleton

Ms. Diane Stavola

Ms. Donna Stclair

Mr. Michael Stentz

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce C. Stockburger, Esq.

Ms. Kristie Streng & Ms. Jennifer Streng

The Honorable Diane M. Strickland

Ms. Kathy Surbaugh

Ms. Angela Swain

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Symonds

Ms. Christy Taggart

Ms. Betty G. Tate

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Temple, III

Mrs. Mary Lou Temple

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thompson

Dr. James Thompson

Mr. Craig Thompson

Ms. Elaine Thor

Ms. Anne T. Tiffany

Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Timmermann

Mr. and Mrs. David Todd

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Toone

Ms. Emily Trapnell

Will Trinkle and Juan Granados

Ms. Lynda Tubridy

Ms. Ann Penny Tully

Mr. and Dr. Christopher R. Turnbull

Mr. Joseph Urich

Mr. Robert Vernon

Ms. Madeline Viar

Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Vietmeier

Ms. Julie Villier

Mr. and Mrs. Clark S. Wade

Mrs. Lilburn E. Ward, III

Hugh and Jaye Harvey Wellons

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Wells

Mr. Carl Wenner

Ms. Rebecca Wessinger

Ms. Judy West

Mr. Roger West

Ms. Carol Wetmiller

Ms. Rebecca Whaley

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Whittle

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Wiegard

Maxwell and Patricia Wiegard *

Ms. Heather Wiggins

Ms. Emily D. Wilhelm

Mr. Kirk D. Williams

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Willis

Mr. and Mrs. J. David Wine

Mrs. Hayley Woerner

Mr. Randall Woodford

Mr. George Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Allan P. Wulff

Mr. Michael Yager

Mr. Wesley Young

Tributes

Performers

(in alphabetical order)

Tara Andújar

Ensemble

Ben Armstrong

Swing/Ensemble

Ashlinn Blevins

Ensemble

Danny Borba

Jesus and Ensemble

Coleman David Campbell

Chadd

Tyler Cramer

Ensemble (Hockey Fan Goon 2, Hotel Guest, Insurance Salesperson, Wedding Guest, Investor 1)

AnnElese Galleo

Ensemble/ Associate Choreographer

Parker Joh

Hockey Fan Goon 1, Hotel Guest, Tony Jaffe, Insurance Salesperson, wedding guest/Lawyer dude

Felicia Martis

Rachel

Jeffrey McGullion

JD, Ensemble

Haley Mizelle

Ensemble/Tammy U.S.

Prince Parker

Jamal/Ted

Selena Robinson

Marley

Elliott Smith

Brick

Ariana Valdes

Tammy

Michael Walker

Tully

Setting

A run down hotel on a small island in the Caribbean.

There will be a 15-minute intermission.

NOTE TO AUDIENCE:

The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Songs & Scenes

Act I

License to Chill

Tully, Company

Fins

Rachel, Tammy, Chadd, Goons, Ensemble

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

Tully, Brick, J.D., Tammy, Company

Ragtop Day

Brick, Tammy, Tully, Rachel

It’s My Job

Rachel

Why Don't We Get Drunk

J.D., Ensemble

Three Chords

Tully, Rachel

We Are the People Our Parents Warned Us About/The Natives Are Restless

Brick, Tammy

Son of a Son of a Sailor

Tully, Rachel

My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I Don't Love Jesus

Marley, Jamal, JD, Ensemble

Medley: Coconut Telegraph/Last Mango in Paris/Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Company

Margaritaville

Tully, Brick, Company

Act II

Volcano

Jamal, Ensemble

Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit

Brick, Tully, J.D.

He Went To Paris

Tully, Brick, J.D.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Brick, Tammy, Ensemble

Tin Cup Chalice

Tully, Ensemble

Love and Luck

Tully, Rachel, Ensemble

Come Monday

Tully, Rachel

A Pirate Looks at Forty

Company

One Particular Harbor

Company

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

“Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an International organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

Production Staff

Producing Artistic Director

Ginger Poole

Director/Choreographer

Héctor Flores Jr.

Associate Choreographer

AnnElese Galleo

Music Director

Sam Saint Ours

Production Stage Manager

Bill Muñoz*

Assistant Stage Manager

Erin Markham*

Assistant Stage Manager Sub

Kailey Absher*

Scenic Designer

Jimmy Ray Ward

Lighting Designer

Bill Webb

Props Designers

Ginger Poole Matt Shields

Costume Designer

Marissa Danielle Duricko

Sound Designer/Operator

Savannah Woodruff

Technical Director

Matt Shields

Spot Operator 1

Ches Devlin

Spot Operator 2

Spencer Wade

Wardrobe

Sydney Poole Trenten Woods

Run Crew

Samuel Wood

Carpenter

Trenten Woods

Master Carpenter

Joey Neighbors

Venue Staff

School Administration Staff

Producing Artistic Director

Ginger Poole

Business Manager

Larry Kufel

Director of Development

John Levin

Director of Production

Matt Shields

Director of Education

Francesca Reilly

Creative Director of Marketing

Chris Tucker Ian Ridgeway

ATD/Lighting & Sound Supervisor

Savannah Woodruff

Carpenter

Trenten Woods

Conservatory Music Director

Bethany Costello

Master Carpenter

Joey Neighbors

Producing Artistic Director

Ginger Poole

Business Manager

Larry Kufel

Director of Development

John Levin

Director of Production

Matt Shields

Director of Education

Francesca Reilly

Conservatory Music Director

Bethany Costello

ATD/Lighting & Sound Supervisor

Savannah Woodruff

Carpenter

Trenten Woods

Master Carpenter

Joey Neighbors

Creative Director of Marketing

Chris Tucker Ian Ridgeway

Musicians

Keys/Conductor

Sam Saint Ours

Guitar

Mike Havens

Bass

Jeff Hoffman

Reeds

Teresa Hedrick

Drums

JT Fauber

Drums Sub

Peyton Gentry

2024 Board of Directors

President

William L. Lee

Vice President

Doris Rogers

Secretary

Amy Bridge

Treasurer

David Allen

Board Members

David Allen, Amy Bridge, Kerry Edmunds, Lauren Ellerman, Linda Garbee, Robyn Hakanson, Larry Kufel, Anthony LaMantia, Cynthia Lawrence*, Beverly Learman, William L. Lee, Elizabeth Rice Martin, Laura McKeage, J. Lee Osborne, Doris Rogers, Edward Smith, Judy Tenzer, Will Trinkle*, Armida Valles-Klute, Sherrene Wells, Maxwell Wiegard *Past President Board of Directors

Student Advisory Board

A Message from the Director

Jimmy Buffet is a global icon who has a legacy that spans generations. What I love most about him was his sincere want and need to create his own paradise. All he ever wanted was to play music and make enough money to own a small boat. What he left us with was so much more: A catalogue of music spanning several decades and a brand/franchise worth hundreds of millions of dollars in Hotels, Retirement homes, restaurants, merchandise, LandShark and a Broadway Musical! He was a humanitarian and it has been an honor to lift up and build our story around his music. His cheeky humor, lively personality and love for life & humankind is sewn into every note, word and dance step of this production of Escape to Margaritaville here at Mill Mountain Theatre. It’s been a dream because working here and on this piece has felt like party and we are so glad you’ve decided to join us. We hope you brought “License to Chill” and that your ready to clap those “Fins” because it’s “Five O’clock Somewhere” and time to be “…wastin’ away again in Margaritaville”. We hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed making it. Cheers!

Abrazos,

Héctor Flores Jr.

Ps. Has anyone found my lost shaker of salt?

Emergency

In case of emergency, please exit the doors in which you entered. Thank you.

For Your Safety*

*Please be careful if you need to leave your seat any time during the performance. We will have performers entering and exiting the house throughout the show.

Cast

Creatives

Meet the Cast

Tara Andújar

*

Ensemble

(

U/S Rachel/Marley

)

Pronouns:

she/her

Tara Andujar is a native New Yorker who is delighted to be making her debut at Mill Mountain Theater. Credits include Ephiny in Xena: Warrior Musical with Lucier & Rose, Esmerelda in 54 Below's Radio 54.1: A Little Bit of Halloween, and various short films soon to be released. She has a certificate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Musical Theatre and has also trained at the Summer Conservatory at Stella Adler. Thank you to my beautiful family, friends, and God who have always supported me to be a disciple of my hopes and dreams!

Ben Armstrong

*

Swing/Ensemble

(

)

Pronouns:

He/Him

Ben Armstrong is excited to be returning to Mill Mountain Theatre. His favorite credits include: Cinderella (Prince Topher), The Secret Garden (Dickon), The Addams Family (Lucas Beineke), at Virginia Children's Theatre. High School Musical (Chad Danforth), Matilda The Musical (Doctor/Ensemble), You may also remember Ben from “Best of Broadway” where he was a featured vocalist here at MMT. Ben was the 2021 Sarabeth Hammond Scholarship recipient at Virginia Children's Theatre. He is also apart of conservatory here at MMT. Ben would like to thank his mom, the cast, and the entire Mill Mountain Theatre staff for their continued love and support.

Ashlinn Blevins

*

Ensemble

(

Swing

)

Pronouns:

She/Her

Ashlinn Blevins is a singer, actor, and dancer who has been lighting up the theatre scene since she was eight years old. Some of her favorite credits include: Katherine Plumber (Newsies), Sebastian (The Little Mermaid), Silly Girl (Beauty And The Beast) and Ensemble/Swing (Elf, the Musical). Ashlinn recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, where she studied musical theatre. She is so excited to bring Jimmy Buffett to the Roanoke valley and hopes that this musical can show you what having fun is all about!

Danny Borba

*

Jesus and Ensemble

(

)

Pronouns:

He/him

DANNY BORBA (he/him/el) is an actor, singer, and dancer based in New York City. He has recently appeared in Bright Star and Stellaluna and Other Tales at Mill Mountain Theater and finished performing as El Mountain Lion with the National Tour of El Otro Oz produced by TheaterWorks. He is a recent graduate of the Actor Training Program at the University of Utah. He was also seen in the Ensemble of Elf, The Musical at Pioneer Theater and also as Frog in A Year With Frog and Toad and Ryker in Cabaret & Down the Rabbit Hole, both at Salt Lake Acting Company. Past credits also include the Ensemble in Aftershock (Plan-B Theatre) and Henry V in King of France in Henry V and the musical Songs for a New World (University of Utah). He has also recently been working on the TV show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. He is represented by Act One Management in New York and Talent Management Group in Utah. He thanks his family and friends and God for their ongoing support.

Coleman David Campbell

JD, Ensemble

Meet the Team

Héctor Flores Jr.

*

Director & Choreographer

(

)

Pronouns:

He/Him

Héctor Flores Jr. who is a Queer, Puerto Rican theatre professional based in NYC. He is thrilled to be back for his fourth show with Mill Mountain Theatre and even more excited to be part of the 60th Anniversary Season kickoff on the Trinkle MainStage. Previous creative team credits include, In The Heights (MMT/Oregon Cabaret Theatre/ PA Shakespeare Festival), Matilda (MMT) Xena Warrior Musical (Off-Broadway), Sueños: Our American Musical (NewYorkTheatreBarn) and Westside Story (Flatrock Playhouse) just to name a few. He’s performed on stages across America in shows like On Your Feet (Gateway Playhouse / Prather Entertainment), Mama Mia! (Flatrock Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (St. Petersburg Opera), Urinetown (FIPAP), Ghost: The Musical (Lake Dillon Theatre Co.), Sister Act (Lake Dillon Theatre Co./ Westchester Broadway Theatre), Sol of El Barrio (Jacob’s Pillow & Off Broadway) and the U.S. Spanish language premiere of In The Heights (Gala Hispanic Theatre). Flores has also been seen dancing on TV in episodes of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and can be spotted in the Club scene of the In The Heights movie. Héctor spent 5 years dancing with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio franchise where he won a world title and several top 3 places at the Fred Astaire World Ballroom Championships in 2016. He is the president and co-founder of Theatre Barn Records - a branch of New York Theatre Barn: an incubatory home for original culture shifting musicals, which recently released albums for Sueños Our American Musical and Xena Warrior Musical now available wherever you stream music. You can follow @HectorFloresJr35 and/or @NewYorkTheatreBarn on instagram for more info and the latest news on the musicals of tomorrow. Special thanks to my partner in work and in life, Joe Barros, for stepping in and sprinkling his magic on this production.

Ginger Poole

*

Producing Artistic Director

(

Director/Choreographer

)

Pronouns:

She/Her

Ginger Poole is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and an Associate member of the
Stage Directors and Choreographers Union. She has studied, taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S. She has worked in GA, HI, FL, MS, SC and VA with, Theatre in the Square, The Alliance City Series, Theatre Gael, Synchronicity Performance Group-GA, Mill Mountain Theatre-VA and SC Children’s Theatre. Originally from Atlanta, she has worked with the N.F.L. and The Atlanta Falcons as their director and choreographer and The Atlanta Opera.

Prior to coming to Mill Mountain Theatre, she was based out of North Carolina where she has worked with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, in over 25 productions. She was a part of the Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse for 5 years where she taught for their Apprentice Companies and their Conservatory Program in Acting, Dance, and Musical Theatre.

Ginger has taught at The University of Southern Mississippi, Western Carolina University, William Carey College, Mississippi University for Women, and currently teaches at Hollins University.

Assistant Stage Manager

*

*

Persussion

(

)

Pronouns:

He/him

J.T. has been playing drums at Mill Mountain since 2008. His favorite show was "My Son Pinocchio" which included his wife Rachel on piano and both kids, Kyle and Caroline, on stage. Early in his career J.T. performed in the country show at Kings Dominion and on the La Boheme cruise ship. Currently he plays with The Boogie Kings, a ragtime / dixieland group that has been together since 1986. He also plays with the 1st Baptist Roanoke orchestra, The Winds of the Blue Ridge, and the Let's Dance big band. J.T. is the owner of Sun Tan City and Buff City Soap, both supporters of Mill Mountain Theatre.

Peyton Gentry

*

Drums Sub

(

)

Pronouns:

Peyton Gentry returns to Mill Mountain Theatre for Elf the Musical after performing Jersey Boys and Bright Star alongside JT Fauber. Peyton is a current grad student at Virginia Tech completing a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Last spring he completed his undergrad with a Bachelor of Arts with a dual focus in both Music Education and Percussion Performance. Peyton is an active performer in the Blacksburg and Roanoke areas performing with groups such as the Roanoke Opera, Mill Mountain Theatre, Celtic Steel, and Winds of the Blue Ridge. Peyton has competed in PASIC’s International Percussion Ensemble Competition placing 3rd and 4th place on separate occasions. After graduating, Peyton plans to teach middle school, elementary, or high school music and to stay in the area to continue performing.

Michael Havens

*

Guitar

(

)

Pronouns:

Mr.

Mike Havens is a Roanoke native and has been involved in music and playing guitar since age 12. He studied classical guitar performance at Radford University and at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
He is currently teaching guitar studies and audio production at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke.
Mike also performs regularly as a guest guitarist for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and guitar (and bassist) for Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Theater.

Teresa Hedrick

*

Woodwinds

(

)

Pronouns:

she/her

Teresa is marking her 55th show in the MMT pit, and has played for Hollins Univ. Theatre Dept. and Columbia, SC’s Town Theatre and Workshop Theatre. She was a member of the Dennis Reaser and Roanoke Jazz Orchestras, founded Star City Swing, and is in the Sway Katz. She has performed extensively including concerts with Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Shirley Jones and Maureen McGovern. Teresa teaches at Hollins U, Roanoke College, and Hedrick Music Studios.

Jeff Hofmann

*

Bass

(

)

Pronouns:

He, him

Jeff Hofmann, Musician - Upright and Electric bass and Photographer

An appreciator of all music genres, Jeff began his formal study of bass at Roanoke College under the direction of Alan Weinstein, Assistant Professor of Cello and Bass at Roanoke College/Virginia Tech and a member of the Kandinsky Trio. Jeff currently teaches bass at Hollins University.

Jeff has committed countless hours to his craft and has played in bands covering jazz, gypsy jazz, blues, funk, pop, Latin, Americana, 80s, and more. His passion for folk and cultural music of different eras and geographic regions drives his desire to possess a deeper understanding of music and its subtle nuances. Prompted by his desire to educate through music, Jeff created Unison Foundation in 2004 to support artists and musicians in southwestern Virginia through performances, workshops, and free promotion.

He managed and performed with four music groups who were registered with the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Additionally, he was invited to participate in the 37th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. His bass work has appeared on more than 60 albums, as well as television and movie soundtracks, and musical productions.

Highlights for him include a film entitled “Down in the Old Belt: Voices from the Tobacco South”, commission work for an animated trailer featured at the historic Grandin Theatre in Roanoke, VA. Additional films include “The Joneses” (David Duchovny, Demi Moore), “Baby Baby Baby” (Kelsey Grammar, Bradley Cooper, William Shatner, Cloris Leachman), as well as the pilot episode of Showtime’s “Homeland”.

Having performed internationally and with more than 30 years of experience producing and performing on the instrument, Jeff brings a wealth of wisdom to anyone seeking to expand their knowledge about the bass.

Sydney Poole

*

Associate Costume Designer/Wardrobe/Stitcher

(

)

Pronouns:

She/Her

Sydney B. Poole (Associate Costume Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor) recently celebrated her for first anniversary with Mill Mountain Theatre and is overjoyed to get to be a part of this amazing company. While in the fourth grade Sydney was inspired by her High schools musical production and eventually fell in love with the art form as she became more involved with her high school theatre dept. She’s since received her B.S. from Radford University in Theatre with a focus in Costume design and construction and a minor in Peace Studies. During her time at MMT she’s had a hand in Holiday Inn, Jersey Boys, Matilda, Elf and Escape to Margaritaville. She’s grateful to have found an artistic and creative family at MMT and would like to thank Ginger, Matt, and Héctor for believing in her. Along with her mom for always encouraging her to follow her passion. She is excited to keep making more magic with and for the city and artists of Roanoke.

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2021 National Touring Cast

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Don’t let the evening end when the curtain comes down. With The Marquee Local, you can find the perfect place for a pre-show snack, an evening meal, or a post-show cocktail. Enjoy exclusive deals from our local partners as you catch up, discuss the show, and create memories to last a lifetime.

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Fortunato

Italian

104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Fortunato

Italian

104 Kirk Ave SW

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roanoke, Virginia, Fortunato is the region's only traditional Italian kitchen & Neapolitan style pizzeria.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Martin's

Tavern

413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Martin's

Tavern

413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio. ‍

Marquee Deal!

The Hangry Bulldog

Burgers and Bratwurst

32 Market Square SE #134 inside.

We are a family-orientated business who enjoy sharing our culinary combinations! Get 15% off when you show your ticket stub from any Mill Mountain show!

The Hangry Bulldog

Burgers and Bratwurst

32 Market Square SE #134 inside.

We are a family-orientated business who enjoy sharing our culinary combinations! Get 15% off when you show your ticket stub from any Mill Mountain show!

Marquee Deal!

Get 15% off your meal when you show your ticket stub or ticket from your phone for any Mill Mountain Theatre production.

The Pine Room

American

110 Shenandoah Ave NE

From the snack n' share options and hearth flatbreads to the farmland offerings and signature items, The Pine Room features American Rustic cuisine that presents simplistic, sustainable, and high-quality ingredients in an inviting presentation.

The Pine Room

American

110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

The Regency Room

American

110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

The Regency Room

American

110 Shenandoah Ave NE

Enjoy dining al fresco! Spring is here and it's patio season! The Regency Room and The Pine Room Pub are the perfect place to enjoy dinner or drinks on the patio with spring in the air!

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood

108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

Awful Arthur's‍

Seafood

108 Campbell Ave SE

Modern tavern offering varied seafood, bar bites & a raw bar plus sports on TV & live music.

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Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub

107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

Corned Beef & Co‍

Gastropub

107 S Jefferson St

Sports bar serves sandwiches & pub grub in expansive digs equipped with pool tables & countless TVs.

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Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue

19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Crescent City Bourbon and Barbecue

Barbecue

19 Salem Ave SE

The smoked meat is made with care and passion in a stick burner smoker and indoor wood burning smoker.

Marquee Deal!

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger

210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint

Hamburger

210B Market St SE

Bar chain serving creative burgers & a lengthy list of beers in a casual, funky space.

Marquee Deal!

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian

118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Indian

118A Campbell Ave SE

Indian classics & all-you-can-eat buffet lunches, served in a low-key traditional dining room.

Marquee Deal!

Wasabi's

Japanese

214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

Wasabi's

Japanese

214 Market St SE

Casual Japanese restaurant offering a large sushi menu, plus maki, traditional entrees & bento.

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Raise a Glass

Sidecar

Tavern

413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Sidecar

Tavern

413 1st St SW

Casual dining on burgers, BBQ & other bar food in an open tavern setting with live music & a patio.

Marquee Deal!

Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European

411 1st St SW

The food menu features traditional European foods like handmade sausages in traditional German, Polish, and English styles, as well as Belgian hand-cut fries, mussels, steak frites, and Polish pierogies.

Three Notch'd Brewing Co.

European

411 1st St SW

Marquee Deal!

‍Have a group ticket? Show your MMT Ticket stub to receive 10% off your meal! Valid for one-time use only at participating restaurants.

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub

523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Twisted Track Brewpub

Pub

523 Shenandoah Ave NW

In addition to hand crafted beer, we offer pub fare with yet another twist and a selection of wines, ciders and soft drinks – something for everyone.‍

Marquee Deal!

Marquee Deal!

While You Wait

With the help of our friends at Theatrely.com, Marquee Digital has you covered with exclusive content while you wait for the curtain to rise.

Theatrely News

EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon

Theatrely News

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT

Theatrely News

"Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes"

EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon

By: Maia Penzer

14 July 2023

Finally, summer has arrived, which can only mean one thing: it's time for camp! Theater Camp, that is. Theatrely has a sneak peak at the new film which hits select theaters today.

The new original comedy starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon we guarantee will have you laughing non-stop. The AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, is attended by theater-loving children who must work hard to keep their beloved theater camp afloat after the founder, Joan, falls into a coma.

The film stars Ben Platt and Molly Gordon as Amos Klobuchar and Rebecca-Diane, respectively, as well as Noah Galvin as Glenn Wintrop, Jimmy Tatro as Troy Rubinsky, Patti Harrison as Caroline Krauss, Nathan Lee Graham as Clive DeWitt, Ayo Edebiri as Janet Walch, Owen Thiele as Gigi Charbonier, Caroline Aaron as Rita Cohen, Amy Sedaris as Joan Rubinsky, and Alan Kim as Alan Park.

Theater Camp was directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt. Music is by James McAlister and Mark Sonnenblick. On January 21, 2023, Theater Camp had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

You can purchase tickets to the new film from our friends at Hollywood.com here.

‍

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT

By: Kobi Kassal

29 May 2023

Actor Sean Hayes is what we in the biz call booked and blessed. On top of his Tony-nominated performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar, Hayes has partnered with Todd Milliner and Carlyn Greenwald for the release of their new YA novel Time Out.

Heralded by many as Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights, Time Out follows hometown basketball hero Barclay Elliot who decides to use a pep rally to come out to his school. When the response is not what he had hoped and the hostility continually growing, he turns to his best friend Amy who brings him to her voting rights group at school. There he finds Christopher and… you will just have to grab a copy and find out what happens next. Luckily for you, Time Out hits shelves on May 30 and to hold you over until then we have a special except from the book just for Theatrely:

The good thing about not being on the team the past two weeks has been that I’ve had time to start picking up shifts again at Beau’s diner and save up a little for college now that my scholarship dreams are over.

The bad part is it’s the perfect place to see how my actions at the pep rally have rotted the townspeople’s brains too.

During Amy’s very intense musical theater phase in middle school, her parents took her to New York City. And of course she came back home buzzing about Broadway and how beautiful the piss smell was and everything artsy people say about New York. But she also vividly described some diner she waited three hours to get into where the waitstaff would all perform songs for the customers as a way to practice for auditions. The regulars would have favorite staff members and stan them the way Amy stans all her emo musicians.

Working at Beau’s used to feel kind of like that, like I was part of a performance team I didn’t know I signed up for. The job started off pretty basic over the summer—I wanted to save up for basketball supplies, and Amy worked there and said it was boring ever since her e-girl coworker friend graduated. But I couldn’t get through a single lunch rush table without someone calling me over and wanting the inside scoop on the Wildcats and how we were preparing for the home opener, wanting me to sign an article in the paper or take a photo. Every friendly face just made the resolve grow inside me. People love and support the Wildcats; they would do the same for me.

Yeah, right.

Now just like school, customers have been glaring at me, making comments about letting everyone down, about being selfish, about my actions being “unfortunate,” and the tips have been essentially nonexistent. The Wildcats have been obliterated in half their games since I quit, carrying a 2–3 record when last year we were 5–0, and the comments make my feet feel like lead weights I have to drag through every shift.

Today is no different. It’s Thursday, the usual dinner rush at Beau’s, and I try to stay focused on the stress of balancing seven milkshakes on one platter. A group of regulars, some construction workers, keep loudly wondering why I won’t come back to the team while I refuse proper eye contact.

One of the guys looks up at me as I drop the bill off. “So, what’s the deal? Does being queer keep ya from physically being able to play?”

They all snicker as they pull out crumpled bills. I stuff my hands into my pockets, holding my tongue.

When they leave, I hold my breath as I take their bill.

Sure enough, no tip.

“What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath.

“Language,” Amy says as she glides past me, imitating the way Richard says it to her every shift, and adds, “even though they are dicks.” At least Amy’s been ranting about it every free chance she gets. It was one thing when the student body was being shitty about me leaving the team, but the town being like this is even more infuriating. She doesn’t understand how these fully grown adults can really care that much about high school basketball and thinks they need a new fucking hobby. I finally agree with her.

[She’s wearing red lipstick to go with her raccoon-adjacent eyeliner as she rushes off to prepare milkshakes for a pack of middle schoolers. I catch her mid–death glare as all three of the kids rotate in their chairs, making the old things squeal. My anger fades a bit as I can’t help but chuckle; Amy’s pissed-off reaction to Richard telling her to smile more was said raccoon makeup, and her tolerance for buffoonery has been at a negative five to start and declining fast.

I rest my arms on the counter and try not to look as exhausted as I feel.

“Excuse me!” an old lady screeches, making me jump.

Amy covers up a laugh as I head to the old lady and her husband’s table. They’ve got finished plates, full waters. Not sure what the problem is. Or I do, which is worse.

“Yes?” I say trying to suppress my annoyance.

“Could you be bothered to serve us?”

Only five more hours on shift. I have a break in three minutes. I’ll be with Devin at Georgia Tech tomorrow. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say, so careful to keep my words even, but I can feel my hands balling into fists. “What would you—?”

And suddenly Amy swoops in, dropping two mugs of coffee down. “Sorry about that, you two,” she says, her voice extra high. “The machine was conking out on us, but it’s fine now.”

Once the coffee is down, she hooks onto a chunk of my shirt, steering us back to the bar.

“Thanks,” I mutter, embarrassed to have forgotten something so basic. Again.

“Just keep it together, man,” she says. “Maybe you’d be better off with that creepy night shift where all the truckers and serial killers come in.”

Honestly, at least the serial killers wouldn’t care about my jump shot.

It’s a few minutes before my break, but clearly I need it. “I’ll be in the back room.”

Right before I can head that way though, someone straight-up bursts into the diner and rushes over to me at the bar. It’s a middle-aged dad type, sunburned skin, beer belly, and stained T-shirt.

“Pickup order?” I ask.

“You should be ashamed,” he sneers at me. He has a really strong Southern accent, but it’s not Georgian. “Think you’re so high and mighty, that nothing’ll ever affect you? My kid’ll never go to college because of you and your lifestyle. Fuck you, Barclay Ell—”

And before this man can finish cursing my name, Pat of all people runs in, wide-eyed in humiliation. “Jesus, Dad, please don’t—”

I pin my gaze on him, remembering how he cowered on the bench as Ostrowski went off, how he didn’t even try to approach me. “Don’t even bother,” I snap.

I shove a to-go bag into his dad’s arms, relieved it’s prepaid, and storm off to the break room.]

Amy finds me head in my arms a minute or two later. I look up, rubbing my eyes. “Please spare me the pity.”

She snorts and hands me a milkshake. Mint chocolate chip. “Wouldn’t dare.” She takes a seat and rolls her shoulders and neck, cracks sounding through the tiny room. “Do you want a distraction or a shoulder to cry on?”

For more information, and to purchase your copy of Time Out, click here.

‍

Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes

By: Kaitlyn Riggio

5 July 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020, Broadway veteran stage manager Richard Hester watched the nation’s anxiety unfold on social media.

“No one knew what the virus was going to do,” Hester said. Some people were “losing their minds in abject terror, and then there were some people who were completely denying the whole thing.”

For Hester, the reaction at times felt like something out of a movie. “It was like the Black Plague,” he said. “Some people thought it was going to be like that Monty Python sketch: ‘bring out your dead, bring out your dead.’”

While Hester was also unsure about how the virus would unfold, he felt that his “job as a stage manager is to naturally defuse drama.” Hester brought this approach off the stage and onto social media in the wake of the pandemic.

“I just sort of synthesized everything that was happening into what I thought was a manageable bite, so people could get it,” Hester said. This became a daily exercise for a year. Over two years after the beginning of the pandemic, Hester’s accounts are compiled in the book, Hold Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic. Released earlier this year, the book documents the events of the past two years, filtering national events and day-to-day occurrences through a stage manager’s eyes and storytelling.

When Hester started this project, he had no intention of writing a book. He was originally writing every day because there was nothing else to do. “I am somebody who needs a job or needs a structure,” Hester said.

Surprised to find that people began expecting his daily posts, he began publishing his daily writing to his followers through a Substack newsletter. As his following grew, Hester had to get used to writing for an audience. “I started second guessing myself a lot of the time,” Hester said. “It just sort of put a weird pressure on it.”

Hester said he got especially nervous before publishing posts in which he wrote about more personal topics. For example, some of his posts focused on his experiences growing up in South Africa while others centered on potentially divisive topics, such as the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite some of this discomfort, Hester’s more personal posts were often the ones that got the most response. The experience offered him a writing lesson. “I stopped worrying about the audience and just wrote what I wanted to write about,” Hester said. “All of that pressure that I think as artists we put on ourselves, I got used to it.”

One of Hester’s favorite anecdotes featured in the book centers on a woman who dances in Washington Square Park on a canvas, rain or shine. He said he was “mesmerized by her,” which inspired him to write about her. “It was literally snowing and she was barefoot on her canvas dancing, and that seems to me just a spectacularly beautiful metaphor for everything that we all try and do, and she was living that to the fullest.”

During the creation of Hold Please, Hester got the unique opportunity to reflect in-depth on the first year of the pandemic by looking back at his accounts. He realized that post people would not remember the details of the lockdown; people would “remember it as a gap in their lives, but they weren’t going to remember it beat by beat.”

“Reliving each of those moments made me realize just how full a year it was, even though none of us were doing anything outside,” he adds. “We were all on our couches.” Readers will use the book as a way to relive moments of the pandemic’s first year “without having to wallow in the misery of it,” he hopes.

“I talk about the misery of it, but that’s not the focus of what I wrote... it was about hope and moving forward,” Hester said. “In these times when everything is so difficult, we will figure out a way to get through and we will move forward.”

‍

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Mill Mountain Theatre-Trinkle Main Stage

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Meet the Cast

Tara Andújar

*

Ben Armstrong

*

Ashlinn Blevins

*

Danny Borba

*

Coleman David Campbell

*

Tyler Cramer

*

AnnElese Galleo

*

Parker Joh

*

Felicia Martis

*

Jeffrey McGullion

*

Haley Mizelle

*

Prince Parker

*

Selena Robinson

*

Elliott Smith

*

Ariana Valdes

*

Michael Walker

*

Meet the Team

Héctor Flores Jr.

*

Ginger Poole

*

Bill Muñoz

*

Sam Saint Ours

*

Erin Markham

*

Bill Webb

*

Spencer Wade

*

Kailey Absher

*

Jimmy Ray Ward

*

Matt Shields

*

Savannah Woodruff

*

Marissa Danielle Duricko

*

Ches Devlin

*

Samuel Wood

Pre-Show Snack or
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