The 2002 summer season staged two successful productions. First, the children's version of the "Wizard of Oz" and the area's first production of "State Fair". The season began with a "BANG" as lightning struck the theatre the morning after the first production of "the Wizard". The sound, lighting, and fire alarm systems were all knocked out. The next three productions of "The Wizard of Oz" had to be moved to the following week. This left only one week between the "Wizard of Oz" and the "State Fair" productions. So things were a little crowded, but everyone worked hard to get the job done and both shows came off great.
Cast
(in
order of appearance)
In Kansas:
Uncle Henry .......... Matt Howard, Benton
Aunt Em .......... Michelle Edwards, Benton
Dorothy Gale .......... Claire Speers, West Frankfort
Toto .......... Prissie Garavalia, Benton
Hunk .......... Trevor Girten, Benton
Hickory .......... Patrick Herman, Benton
Zeke .......... Andrew Cockrum, Benton
Miss Gulch .......... Lindsey Joplin, Benton
Professor Marvel .......... Dillon Heape, DuQuoinIn Munchkinland:
The Wicked Witch .......... Danielle Moore, Benton
Glinda, the Good Witch .......... .Anna-Kathryn Henderson, W.F
Mayor .......... Caleb Dehne, Benton
Coroner .......... Josh Kimball, Benton
Barrister .......... Jake Curry, Benton
City Council .......... Adrea Bames, Zeigler
.......................Hannah Weber, Mt. Vernon
.....................Lawrence O'Neill, CarbondaleThe Lullaby League:
Campbell Hunt, Marion ....... Alex Mandrell, Woodlawn
Jessa Hawkins, Ina.............. Maggie O'Neill, CarbondaleThe Lollipop Guild:
Thomas Weber, Mt. Vernon ......Zachary Hanson, Mt. Vernon
Nathaniel Ahlfeld, Benton........................ Ryan Teich, MarionCitizens of Munchkinland
Braci Dutton, Marion .............................Sarah Auxier, Benton
Will Beaty, Benton................................. Jensen Falker, Herrin
Jory Kee, Johnston City ......................Kaitlyn Talley, Benton
Christian Hoffman, Benton ...................Hannah Parke, Marion
Nickolas Hoffman, Benton ....................Tayler Cypin, Marion
Chrystal Brown, Ashley ..........................Sarah Teich, Marion
Haddon Henderson, West Frankfort
In the Land
of Oz:
The Crows: Amanda Teich, Marion......Lindsey
Joplin, Benton
Katie Furlow, Christopher...................Kathryn
Yeager, Marion
The Scarecrow
.......... Justin Kimball, Benton
The Tin Man .......... Dan Ford, Benton
The Lion .......... Blake Paxton, DuQuoin
Guard to Oz/Doorman .......... .Jonathan McCoy,
Benton
Nikko, the Head Monkey .......... Patrick Shelton,
Benton
The Wizard .......... David Auxier, Benton
Welcome to Oz
ensemble:
Sop. I - Lisa Garavalia, Benton.....Trista
Dutton, Marion
Kaitie Kee, Johnston City
Sop. II - Stephanie Reed, Marion....Cady Summers,
Benton
Katie Damron, Creal Springs
Alto - Whitney Sauerhage, Benton....Mallory Martin,
Benton
Michelle Edwards, Benton
Ozites &
Jitterbugs
Mark Weihe, Centralia...............Koady Smith,
Benton
Rosalind Whitley, Marion......Cody Cameron, Marion
Audrey Henderson, West Frankfort
State Fair
Cast of Characters
Abel Frake
.......... Tom Herman, Benton
Gus .......... Tyler Whitecotton, Mt. Vernon
Margy Frake .......... Taryn Herman, Benton
Melissa Frake .......... Pam Kimball, Benton
Wayne Frake .......... Ryan Akers, Marion
Dave Miller .......... Tom Vaughn, Mulkeytown
Eleanor .......... Jennifer Norman, Benton
Harry .......... James Cockrum, Benton
The Hoop-La Barker .......... Jon Breeden, Ewing
Emily Arden .......... Bethany Clyatt, Benton
The Amazing Stralenko .......... David Auxier, Benton
Vivian .......... Andrea Johnson, Marion
Jeanne .......... Melody Aiken, Benton
Pat Gilbert .......... Kyle Upchurch, Benton
Charlie .......... Eric Mecey, Benton
Hank Munson (quartet) .......... Matt Sanders, Marion
Lem (quartet) .......... Keith Pearson, Mt. Vernon
Clay (quartet) .......... Mike Hoffman, Benton
Violet .......... Cady Summers, Benton
The Chief of Police .......... Jim Hawklns, Ina
Judge Heppenstahl .......... Joe Kaak, Benton
Mrs, Edwin Metcalf .......... Julie Pearson, Mt.
Vernon
The Fairtones.
Darren Hutson, Sesser .......Michael Mormino, Benton
Michael Hager, Benton .......Nathan Perry, Mt. Vernon
Alsha Goessman, Sesser ..............Carly Lappin,
Sesser
Kayti Hall, Zelgler
Townspeople
Joelle Massie, Troy, IL .....Anna Dukes, Bluford
Miccah Lewis, Mt. Vernon......Susan Summers, Benton
Jessa Hawkins, Ina ......Sharon McKinney, Benton
Lauren Whiting, Benton ....Marianne Brugger, Benton
Jo Ann Girten, Valier .....Cindy Massie, Valier
Llndsey Joplin, Benton .....Jennifer Spann, West
Frankfort
Kayti Lewis, Mt, Vernon .....Patrick Herman, Benton