Huntington College Theatre presents Side Show
FOR RELEASE: Sunday, October 14, 2001
Huntington, Ind. "Huntington College Theatre will present Side Show, a new dramatic musical, on the mainstage of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. on November 1, 2, and 3. The 1998 Broadway production opened to rave reviews and received several Tony Award nominations, said director Dr. Don Rainbow, professor of theatre arts at Huntington College. One reviewer described the show as 'a glimmering star of a musical that disturbs nearly as much as it dazzles viewers.'
Side Show is based on the real-life story of conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton. The Hilton twins began their careers in the side show and then went on to perform in vaudeville and film, including an appearance in the 1930's cult film, Freaks.
The Huntington College Theatre production of Side Show includes a cast of 40 student-actors, supported by a 15-piece orchestra. Musical direction is provided by Music Department chair Dr. Janice Fulbright. Prof. Mike Burnett is the scenic and lighting designer, and Prof. Paula Trimpey is the costume designer. Jason Johnson provides the choreography.
Dr. Don Rainbow received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at Huntington College, Rainbow taught at Christian liberal arts colleges in Minnesota and South Dakota where he established outstanding theatre programs. Rainbow's summer touring shows have presented high-energy musical revues to audiences across the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. Rainbow spent his last sabbatical leave working as a background actor in Hollywood, performing in over 50 films and television shows. He occasionally takes groups of students to Hollywood during the J-Term to study the film and television industry. Rainbow assisted the Christian Coalition in establishing the Los Angeles Film Studies Program. His special interest is the area of religion and theatre. He served for three years on the pastoral staff of a large church in southern California using theatre for worship and Christian education.
Tickets will go on sale to the public Wednesday, October 17, and cost $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. This show is intended for adult audiences and is not appropriate for children under the age of 12. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Merillat Centre Box Office at 359-4261.
Theatre performance and theatre design/technology are among nearly 50 academic concentrations available at Huntington College. US News and World Report ranks Huntington College among the best liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897, the four-year, Christian college is located on a contemporary campus in Huntington, Ind.
The cast for Side Show includes:
THE BOSS: Daniel Neil Olson, a freshman Theatre-Performance/Oral Communication double major from Shullsburg, Wis.
BUDDY FOSTER: Andrew Lawrence, a senior Math Education major from Huntington, Ind.
TERRY CONNOR: Ashley Fox, a sophomore U.S. History major from Roanoke, Ind.
DAISY HILTON: Leah Coon, a sophomore English Education major from Sand Creek, Mich.
VIOLET HILTON: Katie Harner, a senior Theatre-Performance major from Rockford, Mich.
JAKE: Steven Powell, a junior Sociology major from Huntington, Ind.
REPTILE MAN: John Woodruff, a junior Theatre-Performance major from Brookville, Ohio
BEARDED LADY: Justin Geiger, a sophomore Choral Education major from Huntington, Ind.
SNAKE LADY: Evelyn White, a junior Theatre-Performance/English double major from Knox, Ind.
FORTUNE TELLER: Natasha Gilgen, a junior Music major from Bluffton, Ind.
FAKIR: Phil Salazar, a junior English Education/Theatre-Performance double major from Adrian, Mich.
SHEIK: Adam Bouse, a sophomore Educational Ministries major from Anderson, Ind.
GEEK: Drew Wutke, a freshman Music major from Girard, Kan.
DOLLY DIMPLES: Jessica Abbott, a junior Elementary Education major from Roanoke, Ind.
6TH EXHIBIT/TATOO LADY: Julie Mierau, a senior Elementary Education major from Goshen, Ind.
EEKA: Elizabeth Swart, a sophomore English Education major from Harbert, Mich.
MONSTER BABY: Paco Michaelson, a sophomore undeclared major from Huntington, Ind.
HAREM GIRL: Sarah Stanek, a senior Theatre-Performance/Music double major from Indianapolis, Ind.
HAREM GIRL: Eva Swan, a senior Theatre-Performance major from Campbellsville, Ky.
HAREM GIRL: Erica Lewis, a freshman Psychology major from Phoenix, Ariz.
HAREM GIRL: Erica Helm, a junior Elementary Education major from Waynesboro, Pa.
HAREM GIRL: Kendra Brenneman, a freshman Music-Performance major from Spencerville, Ohio
ROUSTABOUT: Andy King, a freshman undeclared major from Columbia City, Ind.
ROUSTABOUT: Noah Varness, a freshman Theatre-Performance major from Morris, Ill.
ROUSTABOUT: Josh Scott, a freshman Theatre-Design/Technology major from Eagle, Wis.
ROUSTABOUT: Noah Mazaika, a freshman Theatre-Performance major from Mount Airy, Md.
ROUSTABOUT: Todd DeKruyter, a sophomore Bible/Religion major from Richland, Mich.
PATRON: Travis Bolinger, a sophomore Elementary Education major from Warren, Ind.
PATRON: Scott Grinstead, a sophomore Theatre-Performance major from Dunbar, W.V.
PATRON: Michael Szapkiew, a sophomore Broadcast Communication major from Lagrange, Ind.
PATRON: Spencer Owen, a freshman Oral Communication major from Rochester, Ill.
PATRON: Lindsey VanGelder, a junior English Education major from Berne, Ind.
PATRON: Katie Hultman, a junior Music major from Spring Arbor, Mich.
PATRON: Lori Merkle, a freshman Music-Performance major from Walton, Ky.
PATRON: Lisa Collar, a sophomore Elementary Education major from Adrian, Mich.
PATRON: Amy Cuthbert, a freshman Broadcast Communication major from Dowagiac, Mich.
PATRON: Jordan Hopper, a senior Art Education major from Huntington, Ind.
PATRON: Tai Mauney, a senior English major from Anderson, Ind.
