By Felley Lawson 
OBU News Bureau

ARKADELPHIA — The Department of Theatre Arts at Ouachita Baptist University will present “Tanglewood,” a musical written and directed by senior Sammy Campione, from Feb. 16-21 in Verser Theatre, 409 Ouachita Street.  

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 16-17; Saturday, Feb. 19; and Monday, Feb. 21. A matinee is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2:30 p.m. 

“Tanglewood” was selected for the department’s annual Muse Project, which allows students majoring in theatre, musical theatre or theatre education to create works based on what most inspires them and then bring those works to the stage. 

“This year, in ‘Tanglewood’ we have a student written, composed and directed musical that also showcases student designers, technicians and performers,” said Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts at Ouachita. “The Muse Project slot is a great place for Ouachita students to do applied creative work in theatre that goes above usual undergraduate work and features a fully-produced performance of their work supported by the entire department. These projects give the selected students a chance to collaborate in a professional mode in their field while still having the support of an educational framework.  

“These Muse Projects also create a popular slot in our season with strong audience attendance, because the students involved in creating it are creating work that is directly related to their and their fellow Ouachita students’ concerns and ideas; our other productions are instead looking at a broad range of educational opportunity for students studying theatre,” he added. “The Muse Project is experiential learning in theatre arts with the bonus of creating strong connective art works for our campus.” 

Campione, a musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas, said that “Tanglewood” was born from an idea he had for a song about three years ago; the song itself would evolve into “Fairytales,” the show’s opening number. Campione describes “Tanglewood” as a colorful, whimsical story that takes place in a forest populated with animals who demonstrate “what can be accomplished through the strength of a community that stands up together to confront an uncomfortable truth.” 

“It’s been everything I possibly could have asked for, working on this show with all these passionate people bringing their talents to it,” Campione said. “There are really no words to describe the fulfillment and joy it brings.” 

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at the Ouachita Box Office. Students who present their Ouachita ID upon purchase will receive one free ticket. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5555. 

CAST:

• Cordell Hufstedler, a junior vocal music performance major from Thayer, Mo., as Kip
• Maddy Moore, a sophomore musical theatre and theatre arts double major from Mesquite, Texas, as Cassie
• Noah Warford, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock as Ferdinand Uspergis Cordante III
• Kenzie Burks, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Beebe as Windy
• Sarah Wagner, a freshman graphic design major from Alexander as Credence/Abomination
• Halle Jones, a sophomore musical theatre major from Fort Worth, Texas, as Pyke
• Isabella Owen, a senior musical theatre major from Jonesboro as Ridley
• Savannah Staggs, a sophomore speech/theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock as Finnegan
• Logan Babel, a freshman worship arts major from Beebe as Bron/Abomination
• Julia Letcher, a junior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as Rhandi Owlsworth;
• Kenna Handy, a senior musical theatre major from Texarkana as Rhonda Owlsworth
• AnnaMarie Cobb, a freshman music/choral education major from Arkadelphia as understudy for Rhandi Owlsworth, Rhonda Owlsworth and Uncle Toby
• Kinder Hinrichs, a sophomore theatre arts major from Harrison as Uncle Toby
• Kailey May, a sophomore musical theatre major from Russellville as Frankie/Pompadour 2 and understudy for Credence/Abomination
• Mac Ricks, a freshman musical theatre major from Carlisle as Max Pondamingo/Vinnie/Abomination/Pompadour 4
• Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, as Betsy Pondamingo/Lou/Abomination/Pompadour 3
• Amaya Hardin, a freshman musical theatre major from Maumelle as the Gardener
• Kinsey Potts, a senior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas, as Venonna
• Marion Webb, a junior theatre arts and secondary education double major from Austin, Texas, as Venonna’s Pet and understudy for Betsy Pondamingo/Lou/Abomination/Pompadour 3