The play requires boys--which the private girls school doesn't have--so Davenport approaches Coach Rick, the Riverside High School coach with a 22-game losing streak and an uncertain future. This losing team wears pink football shirts and calls themselves the Salmons (...last night's game caused the Aztecs' to have a fish fry.) In return for helping his team with new equipment and uniforms to reverse the streak, the coach agrees to provide the needed players for the play. As one player laments: "..the pop culture is disgusting...at least we have football."
A cast of wacky characters enter the scene from the girls school and football team. Mira,a prima ballerina who defected from the Soviet Union in 1962, is in charge of directing the school's musical. While rehearsing, she becomes interested in football as the Riverside team begins winning.
The play, romance, and game all culminate with the State Football Championship and the musical ending up the same weekend. Manningham isn't pleased, and it looks like everything's falling apart. But, in true musical theater tradition, the good guys save the day at the last moment. Come see the show to see how it all works out.
This 3-hour show is high energy with great original music (some rap, ballet, tap, gospel, pop) by Gimenez. Most of the cast is made up of talented high school and college-age kids. Gimenez has done an outstanding job of showcasing the different skills of the cast. Overall, though, I have to say that Tina Wassell's portrayal of the quirky school secretary, Cindy Oglethorpe, is priceless. Her performance along with the great music is worth the price of admission.
Another thing that sets this musical apart from others is the local and modern references: "like Calhoun is a real college anyway...", "this place is real friendly...one snowflake and the whole place shuts down..." Bear Bryant, Britney Spears and even a quote from Bill Clinton. There is a whole scene where the teenagers and adults are emailing back and forth, just like in real life.
Cast List:
Dee Dee Davenport -- Dana Summers
Coach Rick Jackson -- Rick Niedermeyer
Coach Tommy Mullins -- Larry Frakes
Coach Pettit -- Craig Reinhart
Mira -- Ellen Williams
Cindy Oglethorpe -- Tina Wassell
Mrs. Singleton -- Terry Frakes
Announcer -- Steve Kriepe
Mrs. Stanford -- Ramona Kriepe
The Lavinia Girls :
Monica Manningham -- Jenna Summers
Whitney -- Alexis Reinhart
Ryan -- Ryan Roddy
Courtney -- Christian Gunner
Yim Han -- Luz Ladrillono
Tiara Sims -- Holly Dale
Andrea -- Cara Smith
Ana -- Anelisse Padron
Sarah -- Sara Kreipe
Rachel -- Harper Niedermeyer
Stephanie (Whitney's sister) --Stephanie Sims
Tonya (Diva dancer)-- Erica Carr
The Riverside Boys:
Jeff Larson -- Josh Jones
Subway (Michael Duarte) -- James Lombardino
Deep Freeze -- Andy Cayse
Tank Tanner --Adam Gimenez
Markice -- Marques Bryant
Download (Ben Stanford) --Reuben James
Heath -- Joel Kreipe
Brandon -- Seth Roddy
Chorus:
Michaela Brown
Evan Corder
Danielle Hurst
Kristine Jackiw
Carly James
Alex Jordan
Daniel Kreipe
Christina Lindsay
Emily Lynn
Molly Lynn
Travis Obenhuber
Laura Maxwell
Sierra Riggs
Amber Simard
Ginger Simard
Andy Woloszyn
Performances for The Chorus Linebackers are July 23, 24, 29,30, 31 at 7:00 p.m., and July 24 and July 25 at 2:00 p.m. at Bob Jones High School in Madison. Michael Gimenez is the director, and Robin Dauma is Assistant Director. Tickets are reserved, and start at $18. Students and seniors receive a $2 discount. Groups of 15 or more may receive a 10% additional discount. Tickets may be purchased by calling 468-1632 or 468-1633. Ovation Arts accepts Visa and MasterCard, or you may mail a check and they will send you your tickets. Tickets are also available at Shaver's Books in Huntsville and Mulberry Street in Madison.
For more information about Ovation Arts, contact Michael Gimenez, Artistic Director, at 461-9631, email to ovationarts@knology.net or visit their website at www.ovationarts.net.
Chorus Linebackers Photos
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