SUMMER MUSICAL ENTERPRISE
Past Productions

The Music Man - August 1992

This initial show provided a great vehicle for the talent of the community and started with a sold-out opening night with a special appearance by the Highty Tighties under the direction of Major George McNeill for the final scene and bows. If you are familiar with the show, all of the boys band members play the “Minuet in G” proving that Harold Hill’s “Think System” really works after all. As the orchestra swelled for the end of the scene, and the curtain closed, the Highty Tighties came in from all of the theatre entrances and after a drum roll from the pit, played “76 Trombones” along with the pit orchestra. This brought the audience to its feet for a prolonged standing ovation. This was a auspicious beginning to this organization.

Oklahoma! - August 1993

The second year brought the famous team of Rogers & Hammerstein to the New River Valley stage. The production was very successful and well-received by the public. It also brought changes to the organization. In 1993, the organization moved from under the umbrella of the New River Arts Council and became incorporated as the Summer Musical Enterprise (SME). The By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation are still in use today. Sets, some costumes and some props were again rented from Weber-Prianti Productions in Delaware, keeping the yearly overhead costs to a minimum.

Logo by Tom Butterfield

Mame - August 1994

The third year brought several changes to the operations of the organization. The rental of sets and costumes was discontinued and all of the sets costumes and props were created in-house. Disappointing ticket sales and the steep learning curve of technical issues made this a challenging year for SME. Otherwise, the show had some very memorable performances to match the enduring quality of the music

Fiddler on the Roof - August 1995

Year four brought two talents of our community to the leading roles of Fiddler. Steve Brown and Clare Fisher-Davies provided solid performances that deeply satisfied the capacity crowds. Simple, fragmented sets worked very effectively as a backdrop for this deeply moving production.

Logo by Tom Butterfield

South Pacific - August 1996

Year five again brought Rogers & Hammerstein to the stage. The show was a great crowd-pleaser and highlighted an outstanding men’s chorus that brought the house down. This was the last year that the show was performed at both Haymarket and Preston Theatres.

Wizard of Oz - August 1997

Year six was the first children-centric show produced by SME. This year was also different because SME was unable to work out the arrangement with Radford University and performances in Preston Auditorium were curtailed. Although it meant that there was no grueling move to Preston Auditorium half-way through the run, it also meant that not having the larger seating capacity of Preston would be a potential problem. Two additional shows were added to the run in Haymarket Theatre to help compensate for the missed seating space from the Preston Auditorium. The show featured dozens of children and a flying monkeys and high-flying balloon to whisk the Wizard away.

Logo by Tom Butterfield

Sound of Music - August 1998

Year seven again brought Rogers & Hammerstein to the stage with mixed results. The shows were well-received on one hand, but failed to draw the number of expected patrons on the other. The show also featured a large two-story unit set that was affectionally known as “Titanic.”

Prisoner of Zenda - August 1999

Year eight was a real stretch for SME by producing a new show by local playright/composer Steve Brown. The show was based on a well-known novel that spawned a half-dozen films over the years. The musical was quite faithful to the story and produced several very entertaining moments and many fine melodies. There were also rousing dance numbers and a real sword fight. As expected, the turnout was weak, largely due to the unknown title.

Logo by Tom Butterfield

Annie Get Your Gun - August 2000

Year nine brought a much better attendance to the theatre with another wellknown show fresh out of revival on Broadway. This was the first year, since “Oklahoma!” that the organization rented set pieces. A few backdrops were rented to provide professional looks to several of the scenes. The show was successful from both the artistic and financial perspectives.

Annie - August 2001

Year ten provided the second children’s vehicle for SME and what a job these children did! The lead character of Annie was double cast (a first for SME) and provided a an opportunity for two youngsters to get this great experience. The role of Sandy (the dog) was also double cast, but by the dress rehearsals, only one dog was used. As expected, the show drew large audiences (with several sell-outs) and through the hard work of the orphan girls, and the two Annies, was extremely well received. This show lived up to the old adage about being on stage with kids and animals.

Guys and Dolls - August 2002

Year eleven, the number of performances were reduced to eight (8). An early football game made it necessary to move the final Sunday performance to the preceeding Wednesday. another small problem ensued on the first Saturday performance as the air conditioning broke in Squires making it a very “hot” performance. The show was also hampered by the changing music director as Scott Cohen left the show a week before opening to take a new job in the mid-west. Dean Chiapetto came in at the last moment to help everything come together. This show was very well-received by the audience and provided a number of memorable moments.

The King and I - August 2003

Year twelve, The King and I provided a wonderful performance for the senses, with lush costumes and sets matched with great music (both voices and orchestra). The massive pillars on-stage set the tone for the production with a grand production with grand results. The large cast was well received with standing ovations every night.

Logo by Dianne Hearn

Logo by Dianne Hearn

My Fair Lady - August 2004

Not to follow conventional wisdom, year thirteen was anything but unlucky. The production again provided a great vehicle for the local performers to stage a spirited performance of the George Bernard Shaw classic. Lively dances with the quick-fire banter was a true crowd-pleaser. Standing ovations were the norm with this outstanding cast. The sets created a vivid backdrop for the show and included a grand staircase to match the wonderful costumes. The orchestra was wonderful under first-time musical conductor, Robert McDuffie.

Oliver! - August 2005

The Dickens story about the homeless waif in England provided another opportunity for a large cast of youngsters (close to 50!). A very strong and seasoned cast together with an experienced group of directors and designers gave a wonderful air of excitement to the production. This prodction was also a great success from the front of house with two sold out nights and the highest total attendance in several years.

Logo by Melanie Hearn

Shakespeare Caricature Courtesy of Paul Forde

Kiss Me, Kate - August 2006

This clever Cole Porter musical was the choice for the fifteenth season. The 1999 revival version of the show was produced.

Bye Bye Birdie - August 2007

Logo by Melanie Hearn

Anything Goes - August 2008

The seasoned cast of this production provided stellar performances in all of the main roles that provided an exceptionally strong show. The on-stage chemistry was quite extraordinary and kept the show moving at a fast-pace. The cast excelled in all aspects of the show providing excellent physical humor, dancing skill, great timing, and of course, vocal ability.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - August 2009

This production opened to standing ovations that lasted throughout the run with a sell-out for the final performance. The on-stage energy was infectious and numerous folks came back to see the show several times.

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