March 8, 2006 -- The ASU Theatre is proud to announce the cast of the upcoming production of the Rodgers and Hart musical, “The Boys from Syracuse,” opening Friday, April 7, on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Twins! More Twins! Women – chased and chaste! The first musical ever adapted from a William Shakespeare play remains the most madcap musical farce ever to animate the stage. Perplexed wives, disgruntled courtesans, mistaken twins and outraged constables make up the cast of this award winning Rodgers and Hart classic.

The ASU Theatre production of “The Boys from Syracuse” is under the stage direction of John O’Connell, associate professor of theatre. Assistant director is Summer Allen from Springdale, a senior theatre major. Music and conducting will be under the direction of Matt Carey, assistant professor of music.

Scenic and lighting design will be under the direction of Jeff McLaughlin, assistant professor of theatre. Kelly Schaefer, assistant professor of theatre, will serve as costume designer. Stacy Alley, assistant professor of theatre, will serve as choreographer. Stage management duties for the production have been assigned to Misty Clark from Jonesboro, a senior theatre major. Assistant stage manager is Ashlee Wiseman from Searcy, a junior theatre major. Laura Perkins from Memphis, Tenn., a graduate theatre major, will serve as the dance captain.

The cast includes Kyle Hamsher from Jacksonville, a junior theatre major, as Antipholus of Syracuse; Ross Willett from Jonesboro, a junior theatre major, as Dromio of Syracuse; Paul Harrell from Jonesboro, a junior theatre major, as Antipholus of Ephesus; William Rowland from Jacksonville, a junior theatre major, as Dromio of Ephesus; Micah Allen from Malden, Mo., a graduate vocal music major, as Adriana; Stacy Olm from North Little Rock, a senior journalism major, as Luciana; Lisa Gray from Brookland, a junior vocal performance major, as Luce; Jim Williams from Jonesboro, as Aegean; Chad Bell from Little Rock, a freshman business administration major, as the Sergeant; Carl Heyl from Jonesboro, a sophomore theatre major, as the Tailor; Josh Wilcoxson from Kennett, Mo., a junior music major, as the Apprentice; Marc Sexton from Jonesboro, a junior vocal music major, as the Duke; Willie Sullivan from Jonesboro, a vocal music education major, as the Corporal; Ashleigh Green from Whitehall, a junior nursing major, as the Courtesan; Brandon Doty from Jonesboro, a junior theatre major, as Angelo; Ben Gibson from Jacksonville, a freshman theatre major, as Merchant S/Sorcerer; Whitney Elliott from Magnolia, a sophomore theatre major, as Fatima; Summer Allen from Springdale, a senior theatre major, as Emilia; and Justin Jones from Helena, a senior philosophy major, as Merchant E.

Maids are played by: Mary Claire DePriest from Jonesboro, a senior theatre major; Sophia Barrett from Jonesboro, a junior theatre major; and Haley Grisham from Sherwood, a freshman theatre major.

Courtesans are played by: Tonya Rogers from Springdale, a senior theatre major; Monika Grundy from Memphis, a junior broadcast journalism major; Brook Scalzo from Memphis, a senior theatre major; and Amanda LaRue from Heber Springs, a freshman theatre major.

The Policemen are played by: Josh Wilcoxson from Kennett, a junior music major; Justin Jones from Helena, a senior philosophy major; Chad Bell from Little Rock, a freshman business administration major; Brandon Doty from Jonesboro, a junior theatre major; Ben Gibson from Jacksonville, a freshman theatre major; and William Rowland from Jacksonville, a senior theatre major.

“The Boys from Syracuse” will be performed at Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 11, and 12, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, April 9, at 2 p.m.

A “meet the company” dessert reception will follow the April 7 opening night performance. Tickets may be purchased (reserved seating, in advance) at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center or by calling 972-ASU1. Tickets are also available online at tickets.astate.edu.

Reserved seating tickets (if available) may be purchased at the door on the evening of the performance. Ticket prices are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Advance reservations are highly recommended. This play is suitable for family audiences. However, children under six years old are not admitted in the ASU Theatre. Please arrive early, as latecomers will not be seated until intermission.