Theatre to Present Musical Comedy 'Head over Heels,' April 21-24
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University's Department of Theatre will close its 2021-2022 season with "Head over Heels." The original book is by Jeff Whitty, and adaptations made by James Macgruder with music and lyrics by The Go-Gos.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 21-23, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24. Performances will take place in the Drama Theater, off the Grand Hall of Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr.
"Head over Heels" a bold new musical comedy, is laugh-out-loud love story set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-female rock band The Go-Gos, including the hit songs "We Got the Beat," "Our Lips Are Sealed," "Vacation," Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth" and "Mad About You."
A hilarious, exuberant celebration of love, "Head over Heels" follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction — only to discover the key to their realm's survival lies within each of their hearts.
The cast includes theatre majors Christian Armstrong of Russellville, as King Basilius; Kylah Hood of Jonesboro, as Queen Gynecia; Skyla Conger of Haskell, as Princess Pamela; Madison Stewart of Trumann, as Princess Philoclea; Alex Jones of Russellville, as Musidorus; Michael Joseph of Van Buren, as Pythio; Jon Clark of Batesville, as Dametas; Emma Bryant of Siloam Springs, as Mopsa.
In addition, the ensemble includes theatre majors Julie Barnett of Crossett; Kori Denison of Batesville; Kaito Ito of Tokyo, Japan; Emily Provence of Searcy; Tyler Jones of Beebe; Hitomi Naoi of Chiba, Japan; and Gavin Wilson of Berryville.
The show is directed by Virginia Hirsch, instructor of theatre in acting and directing. Trey Moore, a theatre major from Batesville, serves as the assistant director.
Dr. Kristen Sullivan, collaborative voice instructor in music and theatre, serves as the music director. Assistant professor of theatre and dance Brianna Larson serves as the choreographer, with strategic communications major Anna Handloser of Sheridan as the assistant choreographer.
Jeff McLaughlin, associate professor of theatre, serves as the scenic designer and technical director. Associate professor of theatre Claire Abernathy serves as costume designer with theatre major Kit Castellan of Poplar Bluff, Mo., as the assistant costume designer.
Caisa Sanburg, assistant professor of theatre, serves as the lighting and sound designer. The properties managers include theatre majors Orion Hulsey of Heber Springs, and Alec Lazarini of Memphis.
The stage manager is theatre major Grace Dial of Paragould. Jake Clontz, a political science major from Leicester, N.C., serves as assistant stage manager. Theatre major Sami Lynn Miller of Anchorage, Alaska, also serves as assistant stage manager. Haley Reed, a theatre major from Bay, serves as an assistant stage manager and the light board operator.
The soundboard operator is theatre major Alli Peavy of Memphis. The wardrobe team includes theatre majors Destiny Johnson of Cabot and Allie Jones of Jonesboro. Theatre majors Norah Wilborn of Jonesboro, and Baylor McElhaney of Benton are the stage crew.
The house manager is Marie B. Kazyak, a theatre minor from Manila. Hayley Murry, a theatre major from Beebe, serves as the documentarian and publicist.
Conductor/pianist Emily Jenkins leads the band. Alex Ditto will play guitar with Jack Ezell on bass guitar and Calvin Rawlings on drums.
The closed-captioning team includes Miraya Gerardo-Munguia, a theatre major from Searcy, and Fernanda Posadas, a theatre major from Sherwood. The Spanish translation team is led by Tatsiana Chaiko, instructor of Spanish. It includes Rachel Wilson of Marion, Nicholas Davis of Lake City, Karen Reyes of Senath, Mo., Angelly Sanchez of Bryant, and Jean-Marc Scorea of Willemstad, Curaçao.
Tickets for "Head over Heels" can be purchased 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the A-State Box Office at First National Bank Arena or by calling (870) 972-ASU1. Tickets can also be purchased online at AState.edu/tickets. Prices are $12 for seniors, children, and A-State staff/faculty and $17 for the general public. A-State student tickets are free at the box office with a student ID.
