ELLISVILLE – The show will go on at Jones College! Despite renovations to the M.P. Bush Auditorium, Dean of the College of Art, Music and Performance, Bruce Smith, created the unique, compilation of Broadway show hits as director and producer of the show he titled, “STARCROSSED: A Musical Revue.”
“We didn’t want to cancel our spring musical so we decided to do a musical revue,” explained Smith. “We have a lot of students with different talents, so we chose a series of songs about star crossed lovers from different Broadway musicals and created our own musical revue. It has a lot of my personal favorites, which are also fan favorites.”
Because of limited seating on the auditorium backstage, there will only be two performances, Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the general public and free for Jones College employees and students with current Jones College ID. However, Smith stressed, all tickets must be reserved prior to the show.
“There will only be about 250-300 seats available each night. Therefore, reservations must be made by emailing, paula.harrison@jcjc.edu between Monday, March 20, and Friday, March 24. In the email, please share your name and number of tickets needed, and which performance you plan to attend,” said Smith.
The musical revue features a mix of solos, duets, and group numbers with some performances including the theatrical scene prior to the featured song. Smith said there are female duets about being in love with the same man, therapeutic moments where couples are fighting, to a scene from Tina Turner’s musical.
“I can’t think of a more star crossed love than Ike and Tina Turner!” Smith noted. “We’re excited to bring a variety of performances including something never done before at Jones, having the choir featured singing a seven-and-a-half-minute medley of songs from the Westside Story for the finale of the show.”
JC Freshman, KeShon Hicks of Laurel, has enjoyed performing in several shows on the Northeast Jones High School stage. At Jones, he is featured with freshmen Aliyah Watts of Columbia and Eli Carter from Collins, in the song about a love triangle, “Make Me Happy” from The Wild Party. Also, Hicks and RicShawn Fair of Ellisville perform with Abby Nix of Ellisville in her featured solo, “Always True to You in My Fashion” from Kiss Me Kate, before they join the choir for the finale.
“I love to perform for anybody and in any situation. Having everybody, including the choir, come together is just amazing! I love it and I’m excited about how Mr. Smith put this show together,” said Hicks.
Sophomore, Matt Taylor of Richland was in JC’s spring musical last year and sings in all three JC choirs. He shared, being in a musical revue is a new experience for him that he has been enjoying.
“I have a duet with my girlfriend, Mackenzie Lacy called ‘Therapy’ from the Broadway show, Tick Tick Boom, which is about an argument between a couple over little stuff. It’s funny because it’s happened in real life before!” Taylor laughed. “This revue is going to be really good!”
Veteran of the JC stage, Mackenzie Goleman of Moselle also enjoys being in this smaller production for academic reasons. She sings the solo, “U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D” from the Broadway show, Starlight Express.
“I like doing this show because it has allowed me to focus more on my studies. Last spring, we spent two to three hours every day on the show compared to the six hours or so a week this spring,” said Goleman.
“I think this show is really fun, but it also lets the students explore numerous different musicals and do character studies on so many different characters,” Smith said. “When it’s all said and done, they’ve had more growth than they realize. It’s truly the best of both worlds.”
JC freshman from Ellisville, Susannah Walters and professional choreographer, Brett Barnes choreographed the performances for the cast of about 25 performers. Dr. Victoria Johnson, piano faculty at JC and Michelle Howells will share the keyboard parts throughout the show, with JC guitar faculty, Dr. Michael Boyd also performing. Sound and lighting was designed by Jacob Arnold.
Some of the stories about the star-crossed lovers may take the audience on a journey that is rated “PG,” with various stories including laughter to turmoil and love and death. Check the Jones College Arts, Music, and Performance website and social media pages for details prior to the performance. For more information about the Jones College Arts, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.
Cast of STARCROSSED: A Musical Revue
Karoline Ayers, Laurel
Cayden Bellanger, Franklinton Louisiana
Wesley Carmichael, Ellisville
Eli Carter, Collins
Antarian Chapman, Hebron
Natalie Dewitt, Laurel
Ricshawn Fair, Ellisville
Virginia Fortenberry, New Hebron
Mackenzie Golemon, Moselle
Gracee Green, Laurel
KeShon Hicks, Laurel
Mackenzie Lacy, Pass Christian
Bri Lee, Ellisville
Abby Nix, Ellisville
Jalen Poindexter, Jackson
Annaleigh Ragsdale, Mize
Nicholas Singleterry, Oak Grove
Isaiah Spradley, Soso
Matthew Taylor, Richland
Abby Thrash, Laurel
Seth Walker, Calhoun
Daygen Warren, Laurel
Aliyah Watts, Columbia