By Staff
Special to The Star
Feb. 4, 2001
Travel back in time when service stations meant service with a smile and coffee was poured in bottomless cups when you see the next MCC Arts &Letters Series Production, "Pump Boys and Dinettes."
MCC's Theatre Department will present this musical that meanders down Highway 57 on Thursday through Saturday in the MCC Theater. The Tony winner for best Broadway musical in 1982 is a high-octane musical revue.
With upbeat songs such as "Highway 57," "Drinking Shoes" and "No Holds Barred," this entertaining show has played to capacity audiences at colleges and universities around the country.
Through a mixture of humor and pathos, the characters tell their story of the ups and downs of running a gas (pump) station and a dinette in Tennessee.
The music ranges from country to rock n' roll to swing to bluegrass to gospel.
Six roles make up the title cast; Jackson, L.M., Eddie and Jim are the pump boys; the dinettes are two sisters, Prudie and Rhetta Cupp who run the Double Cup Dinette.
Performing as Jim will be Andrew Webb. Webb, a sophomore from Stonewall, is studying music performance. Ryan B. Farmer of Quitman, is a freshman studying in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Scott Brinkley, a sophomore theater major is from Meridian will be playing Eddie. Anson F. Norwood will play Jackson. He is studying art therapy.
Rounding out the cast are Karen Turner of Meridian and Stephanie Hyche of Livingston as the sisters Prudie and Rhetta. Julie Kennedy portrays Mona.
Carol Merrill will serve as choreographer, Bob Hermetz as vocal coach and Carey Smith will head up the band with Wayne McInnis as pianist, Dr. Hermetz as the band's bass player and Stix Shadwick on drums and vocal backups.
Production staffers include Bill Green, Wayne Hall and Ashish Sahu, lights; and Adam Whitaker, stage manager.
The production will run through Saturday as part of the MCC Arts and Letters Series.
Call Michele Thames at 484-8696 for ticket information.