Latest News
ROCKET BOYS returns to Nightly from July 8th - 23rd Special events with DON'T MISS IT!
THEATRE WEST VIRGINIA
Tickets at TheatreWestVirginia.org
HOMER HICKAM
Melissa Van Der Schyff
Broadway Performer Melissa Van Der Scyhff sings
" Why Stay" in the Legacy Threatres' 2015 production of Rocket Boys the Musical.
Watch the Video >>
Read the Review >>
Meet the Cast
The Stars are out!
John Doe
Jane Doe
John Doe
Jane Doe
John Doe
Jane Doe
Rocket Boys Ensamble
Male Ensemble Chase Steven Anderson (Miner) Cheerleaders Kelly Wilson Teen Ensemble Chris Copelan Youth of Coalwood Morgan Miller
Joshua Brook (Miner)
Dakota Kuykendall (Miner)
Robbie Kirkland (Bill Bolt)
Paul Gourdeau (John "Eye" Blevin")
Kaley Bunce
Ann Marie Meeker
Catherine Cervone
Lily Ramos
Elizabeth Wilson
Alex Huff
Ethan Schindewolf
The Story of The Rocket Boys
From the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir that inspired the film October Sky, Rocket Boys is a uniquely American tale — a powerful, luminous story of coming of age at the dawn of the 1960s, of a mother's love and a father's fears, of a group of young men who dreamed of launching rockets into outer space … and of those who made their dreams come true.
NASA engineer Homer Hickam's original book, upon which this musical is based, is a vivid portrait of the harsh West Virginia mining town of his youth, evoking a time of innocence and promise, when anything was possible, even in a company town that swallowed its men alive.
Teenager Homer "Sonny" Hickam, inspired by Werner von Braun and his Cape Canaveral team, decided in 1957 to build his own rockets. They were his ticket out of Coalwood, West Virginia, a mining town that everyone knew was dying — everyone except Sonny's father, the mine superintendent and a company man so dedicated that his family rarely saw him. Sonny's smart, iconoclastic mother wanted her son to become something more than a miner and, along with a female science teacher, encouraged the efforts of his grandiosely named Big Creek Missile Agency.
Hickam is candid about the deep disagreements and tensions in his parents' marriage, even as he movingly depicts their quiet loyalty to each other. The portrait of his ultimately successful campaign to win his aloof father's respect is equally affecting. A story of growing up and getting out, of romance and loss, Homer Hickam's memoir is a chronicle of triumph, and as the show's creative team says, "it just sings".
"…one of the nation's most promising musicals… a timeless theme of a young man in search of his father's attention… dialogue, even song lyrics, coming directly from the author's words… this year's TWV production is fresh, with the addition of some new songs and/or lyrics to the show's already acclaimed score… it would hard to pick a favorite among the musical numbers! …The perfect extension of Hickam's work… sure to inspire kids everywhere, as well as exhilarating even the hardest of adult hearts." - John Blankenship - Review, The Register-Herald
"Rocket Boys pulls you into the action and quickly invests you in the characters with a passion rarely seen… punctuated with bright and intelligent humor… No character here is a 'throwaway' secondary role… each song is memorable… Rockets Boys makes science fun, human, and…cool. I have no doubt at all that it will premiere and succeed!" - Jennifer Gunnel, The New York Review of Science Fiction
"The opening number, aptly titled 'Coalwood', has lyrics so perfect they must be heard to be believed… composer/lyricists Diana Belkowski and Dan Tramon give us lyrics that mean something, lyrics that advance the plot… set to a score that sticks with you long after you leave the theater… Lessons are learned throughout the course of Rocket Boys The Musical… about integrity, morality and, yes, 'All Kinds of Love'." - Dreama Denver, WGAG 93.1 FM - West Virginia
"Rocket Boys is simply great theater, with a tremendous message… To be offered the opportunity to produce this show… is a chance of a lifetime and an extreme honor." - Marina Hunley-Graham, Artistic Director, Theatre West Virginia
"…A beautiful piece of work that touches the power of the individual and the majesty of the universal in the same gesture…" - John Yurick, Composer / Arranger - Theatre West Virginia, West Virginia Dance Co.
"Rocket Boys is simply great theater, with a tremendous message… To be offered the opportunity to produce this show… is a chance of a lifetime and an extreme honor." - Marina Hunley-Graham, Artistic Director, Theatre West Virginia
Homer Hickam - (Book)
Homer Hickam is probably best known for his # 1 New York Times best-selling memoir "Rocket Boys". The work is studied in many American and international school systems, and was the basis for the popular Hollywood film "October Sky." Now "Rocket Boys" has gone from the page to the stage, with the author himself part of the Creative Team.
Hickam also has legions of fans for his "Josh Thurlow" historical fiction series, plus his many other books (18 NY Times bestsellers!) Winner of the prestigious University of Alabama's Clarence Cason Award and the Appalachian Heritage Writer's Award for his memoirs and fiction, his many other writing awards include an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Marshall University. Mr. Hickam, a Vietnam combat veteran, has also been a coal miner, scuba instructor, NASA engineer, and an avid amateur paleontologist.
While working on his writing career, Mr. Hickam was employed as an engineer for the U.S. Army Missile Command from 1971 to 1981 assigned to Huntsville, Alabama, and Germany. He began employment with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Marshall Space Flight Center in 1981 as an aerospace engineer. During his NASA career, Mr. Hickam worked in spacecraft design and crew training. His specialties at NASA included training astronauts on science payloads, and extravehicular activities (EVA). He also trained astronaut crews for many Spacelab and Space Shuttle missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope deployment mission, the first two Hubble repair missions, Spacelab-J (the first Japanese astronauts), and the Solar Max repair mission. Prior to his retirement in 1998, Mr. Hickam was the Payload Training Manager for the International Space Station Program.
Mr. Hickam is married to Linda Terry Hickam, an artist and his first editor and assistant. They love their cats and share their time between homes in Alabama and the Virgin Islands.
Diana Belkowski - (Composer/Lyricist/Choral Arrangements)
Rocket Boys held its NY industry-read June 2010 with a cast of Broadway pros under the esteemed Musical Direction of Joe Baker. It had its full staged reading premiere in Huntsville, AL ("Rocket City") in 2008, and also won ANMT's Search for New Musical Voices that year. In 2011 the beautiful 1260-seat Theatre West Virginia hosted Rocket Boys for its "official" World Premiere, followed by three more runs there in 2012, 2013 and 2018, after the theatre re-opened under new management. Rocket Boys then enjoyed a month's professional development and run at The Legacy Theatre in Atlanta in the spring of 2015. It returns this summer of 2022 as an official State Historical, and the only stage version to bear native son Homer Hickam's name and approval.
With Rocket Boys and Flyer, Diana and her co-composer Dan Tramon became two-time (consecutive-year, unprecedented) winners of the ASCAP/Disney Musical Theatre Award. Diana is also a grad of the BMI Lehman–Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and a recipient of two Billboard Music Awards for work in musical theatre and Contemporary Christian music.
A Juilliard alumnus, Diana has traveled nationwide as a member of the Presidential Arts Committee, and has written material for both presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. A long-time Director of Sacred Music, she has extensively written for both children and adult choirs, and won numerous awards as a classical pianist during childhood. Other solo compositions include Clarissa (Circle Rep Theatre), a 50-song educational series for Random House and TV theme and credit music.
Diana is delighted to have taken part in setting Homer Hickam's life-story to music and stage, and hopes the score will also serve to inspire, as Mr. Hickam has inspired millions to overcome circumstances and ALWAYS "aim high!"
Dan Tramon (Composer/Lyricist/Orchestrations)
Dan Tramon has been involved in New York musical theater for most of his life. A Juilliard Prep graduate (piano), he gave recitals in Lincoln Center and sang many boy soprano roles at the Met. He then attended Columbia University, where he co-wrote and performed in the famed Varsity Shows, Rodgers and Hammerstein's original stomping grounds. After studies at the Institute of Audio Research, he began working for Broadway productions, eventually becoming one of the most sought-after Sound Engineers in NY theatre.
Along with collaborator Diana Belkowski, Dan enjoyed the honor of two ASCAP/Disney Musical Theater Workshop Awards, for their musicals Flyer (the story of the Wright Brothers) and Rocket Boys, based on the Homer Hickam's beloved #1 bestseller. He and Diana are also alumni of the by-invitation-only BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.
Dan has served as Broadway Sound engineer most recently for the entire run of Kinky Boots, and in the same capacity for countless other B'way productions, such as In The Heights, Sister Act, Catch Me If You Can, Bonnie & Clyde, Billy Joel's Movin' Out, Dolly Parton's 9 To 5, Phil Collins/Disney's Tarzan, Swing, The Life, and many others. He was Associate Sound Designer for Broadway's The Will Rogers Follies and Victor/Victoria. Dan served as Music Programmer for Paul Simon's Capeman, and Broadway's How To Succeed, Cats, and Beauty and The Beast. He orchestrated and performed digital music for Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Westbeth Theatre in NY. Dan also composed the pre-show music for The Rocky Horror Show on Broadway, and a score for a regional adaptation of Moliere's The Miser.
Carl Anthony Tramon - (Co-Book; Sonny)
Three-time, twice Tony-nominated Broadway producer Carl Anthony Tramon grew up with the stage under his feet since age three. He is currently Director of the prestigious ATNY (Actors Technique New York) School, which now has affiliate studios in Tenafly and Ridgewood NJ. As an actor: Broadway, National Tours and Equity Regional productions include Fame, the Musical; Amadeus (as Mozart); What Makes Sammy Run (title role); Peter Pan (w/Sandy Duncan); Gypsy (w/Angela Lansbury); Rags (directed by Stephen Schwartz); and many others. Carl received the coveted Best Actor award nomination by the Broadway League.
Directorial and/or Co-Book credits include: Rocket Boys (New York City, Theatre West Virginia, Huntsville, AL, and ASCAP Disney Workshop, NY); Einstein's Breakfast (Delaware PAC); Plain Beautiful (Freeman Stage, DE); Coconut Road (World Premiere, Delaware PAC); Fame, the Musical (Bardavon Opera House, NY); The Jeweler's Shop (Carnegie Hall & The United Nations, NY). Carl's most recent Broadway Producing credits include the original Broadway production of "Matilda", the Tony-nominated hit "Be More Chill", and the current hit "Mr. Saturday Night" with Billy Crystal (5 Tony nominations).
Original Cast albums include: Fame, the Musical; What Makes Sammy Run; Coconut Road; Rocket Boys, The Musical; and the albums of Bill Solly: Let Me Give You a Lift and I Could Fall in Love, the latter of which earned Carl critical acclaim. Carl's childhood TV credits include over 50 national commercials and many recurring and regular roles on sitcoms, soaps, Saturday children's shows and special appearances (Saturday Night Live. etc).
Atlanta's Legacy Theatre Presents April 17 - May 10, 2015 Cast2015 - The Legacy Theatre
Rocket Boys the Musical
Sonny Hickam ................................................................ Jeremy Varner Homer Hickam Sr ............................................. Stephen Mitchell Brown Elsie Hickam ...................................................... Melissa van der Schyff Roy Lee Cooke ........................................................ Griffeth Whitehurst Wash O'Dell ....................................................................... Jared Brodie Quentin Wilson ............................................................ Justin Thompson Miss Frieda Riley ............................................................ Jordan Godwin Basil Oglethorpe/Mr. Turner ............................. Chase Steven Anderson Dorothy Plunk ............................................................ Alexandra Duncan Vanlentine Carmina .......................................................... Julissa Sabino Jim Hickam/Ensemble ....................................................... Joshua Brook Bill Bolt/Ensemble .......................................................... Robbie Kirkland Ike Bykovski/Ensemble ................. ......................................... Bert Lyons John Lassiter/Policeman/Judge #2/Ensemble ........... Dakota Kuykendall John "Eye" Blevin/Buck/Ensemble ................................... Paul Gourdeau Fence Wife #1/Judge #1/Ensemble .................................. Tara Chiusano Fence Wife #2/Ensemble ................................................ Katie Patterson Fence Wife #3/Mrs. Bykovski/Ensemble ............................... Amy Alford Fence Wife #4/Ensemble ................................................ Mandy Mitchell
Male Ensemble Chase Steven Anderson (Miner) Cheerleaders Kelly Wilson Teen Ensemble Chris Copelan Youth of Coalwood Morgan Miller Ethan Schindewolf
Joshua Brook (Miner)
Dakota Kuykendall (Miner)
Robbie Kirkland (Bill Bolt)
Paul Gourdeau (John "Eye" Blevin")
Kaley Bunce
Ann Marie Meeker
Catherine Cervone
Lily Ramos
Elizabeth Wilson
Alex Huff
Brighter Sky Productions ROCKET BOYS August 10th & 11th 2015 Book By2015 - New York Industry Reading
in association with Aaron Grant Theatrical, Inc
presents an Industry Reading of the musical:
Ripley-Grier Studios
520 Eighth Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Homer Hickam Jr. & Carl Anthony Tramon
Music & Lyrics by
Dan Tramon & Diana Belkowski
Homer Hickam ................................................................ Burke Moses* Elsie Hickam .................................................. Melissa Van Der Schyff* Basil Ogelthorpe / Mr. Turner ................................. Robert Picardo* John "Eye" Blevin ............................................................ Charles Gray* Dorothy Plunk ...................................................... Ashley Kate Adams* Valentine .............................................................................. Remy Zaken* Homer "Sonny" Hickam Jr. ........................... Carl Anthony Tramon* Quentin ............................................................................... Olli Haaskivi* Washington "Wash" O'Dell ........................................ Eean Cochran* Roy Lee ............................................................................... Eli Schneider* Miss Riley ............................................................................ Rylee Doiron* John Lassiter / Ensemble .............................................. Richard Barth* Ike Bykovsk i/ Ensemble ...................................... Victor Hernandez* Jim Hickam / Ensemble .............................................. Brett Benowitz* Buck / Bill Bolt / Ensemble ............................................... Eddie Egan*
Ensemble Laura Darrell, Kimberly Faye Greenberg, Kelly Lamor Wilson, Kaley Bunce * Member of Actors' Equity Association Director - Adam Fitzgerald Musical Director - Joseph Baker Musicians Susan Aquila,Violin / Steven Benson: Elec & Acoustic Guitar / Banjo / Mandolin Special Thanks To: Legal Representation: Casting: Daryl Eisenberg, CSA - Daryl Eisenberg Casting
General Manager - Aaron Grant Theatrical Inc.
Asst Musical Dir - Charles Santoro
Production Stage Manager - Stephen Emerson
Production Counsel - Mark Sendroff and Jason Baruch
Charles Santoro, Piano / Assistant Music Director
Marsha Edelman, Esther Goodhart, Homer Hickam, Stephen Emerson, Sendroff & Baruch, Esq.
Anne Tramon & Hy Chait, Antoinette & Roger Gangi
Show Representation: Abrams Artists Agency, NY
Theatre West Virginia presents August 15 - September 25, 2013 Grandview, West Virginia2013 - Theatre West Virginia (Re-Ignite Cast- Full Production)
Rocket Boys
Theatre West Virginia
Cliffside Amphitheater
Homer Hickam Sr.............................................Chris Bellinger Elsie Hickam.....................................................Katherine Yacko "Sonny" Hickam...............................................Tyler Hazard Jim Hickam......................................................Hayden Spaeth Roy Lee Cooke................................................Peter O'Neal Quentin Wilson................................................Phillip Schrimsher O'Dell Carroll...................................................Alex Bush Dorothy Plunk.................................................Allie Patton Valentine Carmina..........................................Anna Segatti Miss Frieda Riley............................................Kellyn Wooten Ike Bykovski...................................................Rocky Cooper Basil Ogelthorpe............................................Sean Carter John "Eye" Blevin..........................................Tommy Walker Mr. Turner......................................................Terry Evans Dr. John Lassiter............................................Ryan Schisler Buck...............................................................Cody Olson Bill Bolt...........................................................Michael SheehyCast
ENSEMBLE: Fence-Wives Nicki Shackleford, Tina Neese, Carolyn Glaude, Amy Rowland, Kacy Southerland, Laura Young Heathers...................Meghan Martin, Bethany Gardner Blair...........................Meghan Martin, Bethany Gardner Mr. Siers......................................................Brooks Cline Roy Lee Cooke............................................Peter O'Neal Sherman Siers...........................................Joseph Sibley Policeman.......................................................Dan Hasty Dugout DJ / Goon.......................................Andrew Adolf Emily Sue.......................................................Carrie Fisk Judges..............Ainsley Miller, Dan Hasty, Joseph Sibley Statler & Waldorfi........................Nick Yurick, Wes Milton Madi Bhey, Demiah Edwards, Erika Hakmiller, Curtis Johnson, UNDERSTUDIES: Rocky Cooper (Homer); PRODUCTION: Director: Carl Anthony Tramon Fight Captain - Chris Bellinger Fight Choreographer – Cliff Williams Production Company Manager / Casting Director - Annie Bellinger Stage Manager Apprentice - Kate Patton
Amanda Lanham, Nick Pelaccio, Nicki Shackleford (Dance Captain),
Caleb Waybright, Brandon Woods, Alice Yurick
Tina Neese (Elsie, Emily Sue);
Cody Olsen (Sonny, Jim);
Carrie Fisk (Miss Riley);
Hayden Spaeth (Roy Lee);
Brooks Cline (O'Dell, Basil Oglethorpe);
Joseph Sibley (Quentin);
Michael Sheehy (Bykovski);
Ryan Schisler (Blevin);
Nicki Shakleford (Dorothy);
Meghan Martin (Valentine);
Dan Hasty (Bill Bolt, Mr. Turner, Dr. Lassiter);
Jacob Vallroy (Buck);
Nick Pelaccio (Sherman Siers);
Caleb Waybright (DJ, Goon);
Laura Young (Heathers);
Ainsley Miller (Fencewives);
Andrew Adolf (Policeman, Statler, Waldorf);
Choreographer: Toneta Akers-Toler
Music Director: Teresa McCoy
Assistant Music Director: Pamela Wynne
Dance Captain – Nicole Shackleford
Costume Manager: Kayla Higby
Assistant Costumers - Libby Holland, Lily Parker
Stage Manager: Ali Simpson
Assistant Stage Manager: Melissa Starks
Master Electrician / Lighting / Production Coordinator: Joe Simpson
Technical Director / Sound Production: Charlie Lockridge
Assistant Technical Director - Stephen Trammell
Costume Assistant: Caroline Davis
Costume Assistant: Angela Post
Props Mistress - Sarah Halstead
Carpenter: Lucas Plum
Scenic Artist - Megan Hart
Electrician/Props: Madeline Sellers
Electrician - Joseph Fry
Nov. 15th-17th & Nov. 20th-23rd Fairmont, West Virginia2013 - Fairmont State University
Wallman Hall
Homer "Sonny" Hickam Jr ..................................... Kaleb Straley Homer Hickam Sr ..................................... Bubby Lewis Elsie Hickam .................................... Fran Kirk Jim Hickam .................................... Stephen Phillips Roy Lee Cooke .................................... Allen Ludwick O'Dell Carroll .................................... Rennes Carbaugh Quentin Wilson .................................... Tyler Kovar Dorothy Plunk .................................... Shannon Yost Miss Frieda Riley .................................... Leigh Ann Bolyard Ike Bykovski .................................... Brandon Rose John Dubonnet .................................... John "Eye" Blevin .................................... John Hall Valentine Carmina .................................... Madison Whiting Buck / Kennedy .................................... Alex Myers Poppy Hickam .................................... Mr. Turner / Basil .................................... Kurtis Dennison Mrs. Bykovski .................................... Kaici Lore Fence Wives .................................... Kelly Blake, Ariel Masturzo, Kaici LoreCast
Ensemble: Jocks, Miners, Students, Cheerleaders Sarah Lemley, Johnna Lopez Allen Ludwick, Ariel Masturzo, Chris Yost
Pamela Chatman, Anthony Edmond,
Gary Hayes, Daniel Heck, Brandon Lee,
Theatre West Virginia and Brighter Sky Productions August 1 - 16, 2012 Grandview, West Virginia2012 - Theatre West Virginia (Full Production)
present Rocket Boys
Theatre West Virginia
Cliffside Amphitheater
Homer Hickam Sr ...................................... Chris Bellinger Elsie Hickam ...................................... Nikki Yarnell "Sonny" Hickam ...................................... Carl Anthony Tramon Jim Hickam ...................................... Christopher Morrow Miss Riley ...................................... Carrie Fisk Roy Lee Cooke ...................................... Gregory Smith O'Dell Carroll ...................................... Ryan McAtee Quentin Wilson ...................................... Alec Kelsey Ike Bykovski ...................................... Rocky Cooper Basil Ogelthorpe ...................................... Zachariah Judge John "Eye" Blevin ...................................... Jeffrey Mindock Dorothy Plunk ...................................... Allie Patton Valentine Carmina ...................................... Shelly O'Rourke Bill Bolt ...................................... David S. Sebren Mr. Turner ...................................... Terry Evans Dr. John Lassiter ...................................... Robert Svetlik Buck ...................................... Connor SimpsonCast
Ensemble Heathers Nicole Kinzel, Amanda Lewis Fence-Wives Sarah Swiger, Mr. Siers ..................................... Brooks Cline Sherman Siers ................. Conor Billings-Clark Young Crooner, Goon ............. Marek Zurowksi DJ ......................................... J. Andrew Peters Emily Sue ............................... Margaret Dalton Kevin Reams, Policeman ..................................... Kevin Reams Statler & Waldorf ........... Nick Yurick, Wes Milton Samantha Hight (Blair), Maxine, Laverne & Patty Hilary Freeland, Young Ensemble Benjamin Luikart, Ryland Luikart (The Monkey), Madalynn Luikart, Dancers Hilary J. Freeland (Dance Captain), Marcus Wooling, Understudies Conor Billings-Clark ......................................... (u/s Sonny) Brooks Cline .......................................... (u/s Ike Bykovski) Rocky Cooper .............................. (u/s Homer Hickam Sr.) Margaret Dalton ........................................ (u/s Miss Riley) Nicole Kinzel ....................................... (u/s Dorothy Plunk) Marji McCoy ................................. (u/s Valentine Carmina) Caitlin McWethy ..................................... (u/s Elsie Hickam) Wes Milton ..................................... (u/s John "Eye" Blevin) J. Andrew Peters ........... (u/s Basil Ogelthorpe, Mr. Turner) Kevin Reams .................................... (u/s Dr. John Lassiter) Jorrin Rundle ........................................ (u/s Quentin Wilson) David S. Sebren ................................... (u/s Roy Lee Cooke) Connor Simpson ...................................... (u/s O'Dell Carroll) Nick Yurick ......................................................... (u/s Bill Bolt) Marek Zurowksi ................................. (u/s Jim Hickam, Buck) Director: Rich Jagunic Associate Director: Carl Anthony Tramon Choreographer: Toneta Akers-Toler Music Director: Teresa McCoy Assistant Music Director: Jordan Stadvec Costume Shop Manager: Tiffany Delligatti Stage Manager: Annie Bellinger Assistant Stage Manager: Alexandra Simpson Lighting/Production Coordinator: Josh Schulman Technical Director/Sound Production: Charlie Lockridge Master Electrician: Joseph Simpson Costume Assistant: Caroline Davis Costume Assistant: Angela Post Carpenter/Painter: Mark Anton Dasinger Jr. Props: MacKenzie Barrett Carpenter: Stephen Trammell Electrician/Lights: Jennifer McDaniel Pyro Master: Chris Bellinger Pyro Technician: Stephen Trammell
Sarah Hayes,
Concetta P. Russo,
Kathryn Barnett,
Joni Rundle,
Caitlin McWethy
Judges
Rebecca Mahar,
James Wright
Students
Marji McCoy,
Chance Hight,
Ty Cook
Sarah Hayes,
Brittany Diaz
Jorrin Rundle, Sarah Wolfe, Zach Bolon
Brittany Diaz, Curtis Johnson, Donald Laney
Theatre West Virginia and Brighter Sky Productions August 26 - September 4, 2011 Grandview, West Virginia2011 - Theatre West Virginia (World Premiere - Full Production)
present Rocket Boys
Theatre West Virginia
Cliffside Amphitheater
Homer Hickam Sr ...................................... Chris Bellinger Elsie Hickam ...................................... Katherine Yacko "Sonny" Hickam ...................................... Carl Anthony Tramon Jim Hickam ...................................... Brett Benowitz Roy Lee Cooke ...................................... Michael Moore Quentin Wilson ...................................... Blair Bowman O'Dell Carroll ...................................... Ryan McAtee Dorothy Plunk...................................... Katie Bianchi Valentine Carmina ...................................... Danielle Spisso Miss Frieda Riley ...................................... Rylee Doiron Ike Bykovski ...................................... Joe Milliren Basil Ogelthorpe ...................................... Nathaniel Burich John "Eye" Blevin ...................................... Lew Whitener Mr. Turner ...................................... Jake Guinn Dr. John Lassiter ...................................... Eddis Brown Buck ...................................... Robbie Hindsman Fence-Wife 1 ...................................... Cat Claus Fence-Wife 2 ...................................... Pamela Chabora Fence-Wife 3 ...................................... Carrie Greenberg Fence-Wife 4 ...................................... Sarah Swiger Fence-Wife 5 ...................................... Joni Rundle Fence-Wife 6 ...................................... Hilary Freeland Dorothy's Girls ...................................... Anastasia Trammel, Ashley Lopez Greaser girl ...................................... Margaret Dalton Mine Foreman ...................................... Jeffrey Faulkner Dugout DJ ...................................... Connor Clark Policeman ...................................... John PerryCast
Ensemble Holden Akers-Toler, Zach Bolon, Understudies Holden Akers-Toler (u/s Roy Lee Cooke), Co Director: Marina Hunley Co Director: Rich Jagunic Associate Director: Carl Anthony Tramon Stage Manager: James Ogden II Assistant Stage Manager: Annie Bellinger Music Director: Teresa McCoy Assistant Music Director: Pam Wynne Co Dance Choreographer: Toneta Akers-Toler Co Dance Choreographer: Donald Laney Dance Captain: Hillary Freeland Dance Captain: Aymen Robertson Fight Choreographer / Pyro Master: Jake Guinn Scenic Designer: Bert Scott Lighting Designer / Production Manager: Josh Schulman Costume Designer: Regina Rizzo Technical Director: Max Flicker Assistant Technical Director: Jamie Bray Scenic Charge Artist: Jennifer Fuentes Master Electrician: James Morrow Props Master: Lisha White Sound Engineer: Chad Dove Costume Shop Manager: Anna Stainback
Eddis Brown, Pam Chabora,
Conor Clark, Cat Claus,
Margaret Dalton, Jeffrey Faulkner,
Hilary Freeland, Carrie Greenberg,
Bobby Hall, Abbey Hurlburt, Jake Jessup,
Curtis Johnson, Donald Laney,
Ashley Lopez, Allie Patton, John Perry,
Drew Peters, Aymen Robertson,
Joni Rundle, Jorrin Rundle,
Sarah Swiger, Anastasia Trammel,
Nick Yurick
Eddis Brown (u/s John "Eye" Blevin),
Pam Chabora (u/s Elsie Hickam),
Conor Clark (u/s O'Dell Carroll),
Jeffrey Faulkner (u/s Ike Bykovski,
Basil Ogelthorpe),
Bobby Hall (u/s Sonny),
Robbie Hindsman (u/s Jim Hickam),
Carrie Greenberg (u/s Valentine Carmina),
Jake Jessup (u/s Dr. John Lassiter),
Ashley Lopez (u/s Miss Frieda Riley),
Joe Milliren (u/s Homer Hickam),
Drew Peters (u/s Mr. Turner, Buck),
Jorrin Rundle (u/s Quentin Wilson),
Anastasia Trammell (u/s Dorothy Plunk)
May 24 & 25, 2008 Huntsville, Alabama2008 - Huntsville, Alabama Staged Reading Premiere
Merrimack Hall
Homer "Sonny" Hickam Jr ...................................... Carl Anthony Tramon* Homer Hickam Sr ...................................... Chuck Puckett Elsie Hickam ...................................... Karen Young Jim Hickam ...................................... James Desta Roy Lee Cooke ...................................... Matthew Meigs O'Dell Carroll ...................................... Chris Carter* Quentin Wilson ...................................... John Howard Dorothy Plunk ...................................... Jacqueline Probst Miss Frieda Riley ...................................... Nina Banta Ike Bykovski ...................................... Harry Delugach John Dubonnet ...................................... Jackson Pyle John "Eye" Blevin ...................................... "Barefoot" Bill Pacer Valentine Carmina ...................................... Megan Haines Buck / Kennedy ...................................... Ryan Pest Poppy Hickam ...................................... Danny Proctor Mr. Turner / Basil ...................................... Ron Roberts Mrs. Bykovski ...................................... Kathy SheaCast
Ensemble Elizabeth Bannister, Juliana Carter, Narrator ............................ Katherine Cuba* * Member of Actors' Equity Association Stage Manager: Priscilla Krause Production JOSEPH BAKER (Musical Direction and Supervision) has been working as a Conductor and Pianist on and around Broadway for more than 20 years. Shows he has performed include: Shrek, Wicked, The Lion King, Blood Brothers, The Life, Grand Hotel, Starlight Express, The Tap Dance Kid, Little Shop Of Horrors, Big River, Catskills On Broadway, Footloose, and Bells Are Ringing. He has also done duties as Orchestrator, Vocal Arranger or Dance Arranger on shows as: Bubbly Black Girl, The Green Heart, and Footloose. His successes in film and TV include Composing the score for the smash hit documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, and was Composer-Arranger–Producer for a wonderful children's TV series on Public Television called Dittydoodle Works. In his own recording studio at Bakerboys Music, he has worked on recordings by, among others, Petula Clark, Jeremy Kushnier, (Jersey Boys, Rent, Aida), Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll And Hyde), Jonny Peterson, Steven Lutvak, and J. Mark McVey (Les Misérables). Of course, his best productions have been his family: his wife Renae, son David, and daughter Rozi who is rehearsing for Mary Poppins on Broadway! ANTHONY RUGGIERO (Musical Director) brings a varied list of theatrical and musical experience to the stage. A native of northeastern Ohio, Ruggiero earned a MM degree in Voice (Performance) from Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music. Credits as MD include productions of Sweeney Todd, The Last Five Years, Assassins, On The Twentieth Century, and the world premiere of Coming to America, by James Hindman. Currently he is Musical Director for Tomfoolery (Nutley Little Theatre) and Einstein's Breakfast (Bethany Beach, DE). In the fall, Mr. Ruggiero is scheduled to be pianist for a NY showcase production of Songs For A New World. PRISCILLA KRAUSE (Stage Manager) lists credits that include The Odd Couple (Northeast Alabama Community College); Education of Hyman Caplyn, Flowers For Algernon (Dade County High School – Student Director); The Crucible (Dade County High School - Dialect Coach); Set construction, Pre-production duties, Lighting & Set Properties (Northeast Alabama Community College); Drama scholarship recipient at Northeast Alabama Community College with numerous actor/singer roles. Dialect specialties: British Aristocrat & Cockney; Southern. Musical Numbers COALWOOD† Sonny & Townspeople of Coalwood SPUTNIK Homer & Townspeople BIG CREEK H.S. FIGHT SONG Jim & Students THE DIARY OF DOROTHY PLUNK† Dorothy & Students SPUTNIK (reprise) Homer & Cast BUILD A ROCKET Sonny, Roy Lee, O'Dell BOY BUSINESS Valentine MYRTLE BEACH‡ Elsie THE HISTORY OF THRUST Quentin NUTS AND BOLTS OF LIFE Mr. Bykovski FIGHT SONG (reprise)/B.C.M.A. Rocket Boys THERE'S A BRIGHTER SKY‡ Rocket Boys & Townspeople SOMETHING ELSE Miss Riley ALTITUDE Basil Oglethorpe & Townspeople YOU CAN'T FIGHT THE UNION/ Homer, Dunbonnet, ACT TWO THERE'S A BRIGHTER SKY (reprise) Townspeople SOMETHING ELSE (reprise) Miss Riley JOHN "EYE" John Blevin, Rocket Boys A WORLD AWAY FROM ME Dorothy & Valentine ALL KINDS OF LOVE Sonny SONNY NEEDS YOU Elsie, Homer DIAMONDS IN THE DUST Homer FAIR SHAKE Roy Lee RISE† Sonny & Full Cast † - Can be heard on our RocketPlayer, as performed by the Huntsville Cast. ‡ - Can be heard on our RocketPlayer. Huntsville First and foremost to our wonderful and dedicated cast!! Thank you for Rocket City's kindness, especially: Homer and Linda Hickam!! Mayor Loretta Spencer Frances and Wes Clayton Chris Welch & The Huntsville Times Carol English Colonial Printing, Lyn's Gracious Goodness, Huntsville's own Priscilla Krause, Special thanks to Anne Tramon, Mother, friend, producer and Super-Being
Christina Crowe, Danielle Hurst,
Patrick Probst, Ruthie Puckett
ACT ONE
WHERE A MAN SHOULD BE‡
Bykovski & Miners
BLEVIN
& Townspeople
THANK YOU!
Merrimack Hall's Debra and Alan Jenkins,
Brenda Black, Karen Rouse, Charlie Sanderson (Technical Director),
Leigh Siefferman (Lighting Design) and the entire staff
Butch and Jerry Damson
Cathleen and Daniel Klibanoff
Ed and Gayle Buckbee
Linda and Gus Morard
Burke Allen
Ron Harris
Chuck Puckett
Pianists Oleta Hunt and Christopher Joel Carter
Amy Bandas
Lauralai Osinski
Carolyn Sanders
New Media Productions, AB Stephens, Soundcell
Kinko's, Holiday Inn Downtown
possibly the best Stage Manager and nicest human being in the world!
An Excerpted Presentation for the ASCAP / Disney Musical Theatre Workshop New York, NY 100232005 - ASCAP / Disney Musical Theatre Workshop
Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 7 pm
The ASCAP Building
1 Lincoln Plaza 520 B'way (betw. 63rd & 64th)
Homer "Sonny" Hickam Jr. ................................... Carl Anthony Tramon Homer Hickam Sr. ................................... Mark McVey Elsie Hickam ................................... Terri Klausner Jim Hickam ................................... Matthew Porter Roy Lee Cooke ................................... Michael Busillo O'Dell Carroll ................................... Darryl Winslow Quentin Wilson ................................... Scott McLean Dorothy Plunk ................................... Brooke Geiger Miss Frieda Riley ................................... Stacey Harris Basil Ogelthorpe / Principal ................................... Edward Prostak Ike Bykovski ................................... Joseph Kolinski James Dubonnet ................................... Darrin Baker John "Eye" Blevin ................................... Timothy Gulan / David Foley Jr. Valentine ................................... Dre Mazzenga Betsy Mae ................................... Danielle MontezinosCast
Stage Manager: Bill Schineller With Special Thanks To: ALL ACTORS APPEARING COURTESY OF Actors' Equity Association
Craig Carnelia, Stephen Schwartz, Michael Kerker & The ASCAP Foundation / Disney Theatricals,
Joe Baker, Clare Cooper, Anne Tramon and the INCREDIBLE CAST
Enjoy all twenty-one songs from the show, plus additional vocal cuts in the score!
Proudly be one of the Rocket Boys by wearing one of our light and beautifully soft show-logo t-shirts.
Sizes available in Adult S, M, L, XL sizes. The Adult S is a great size for a child, and kids looking for a sleepshirt, swimsuit cover, etc. may want to order our Adult L.
