A classic hillbilly musical comedy originally staged in 1956 opens tonight in Windsor for a two-weekend run. Walkerville Centre for the Creative Arts and Walkerville Collegiate are presenting Li’l Abner in the auditorium of Walkerville Collegiate for what should be an entertaining walk down memory lane.
Amherstburg’s Dante Scott, who plays Vijay Maraj in Degrassi: Next Class, will take on the title role of Li’l Abner, with Karly Green as Daisy Mae and Nick Palozzolo as Marryin’ Sam.
Based on a satirical comic strip which ran from 1934 to 1977, Li’l Abner is a wild wacky corn-ball comedy about the little backwater burg of Dogpatch USA, home of such crazy characters as Moonbeam McSwine, Earthquake McGoon, Evil Eye Fleagle, Marryin’ Sam and of course Li’l Abner Yokum, his parents Mammy and Pappy Yokum, and his sweetheart Daisy Mae Scragg.
The musical was adapted by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank from Al Capps original comic strip, with music by Gene DePaul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, tells of a fateful Sadie Hawkins Day race, an atomic bomb testing and a miracle tonic that makes every man perfect.
The original Broadway production opened on November 15, 1956 and ran for a moderately successful 693 performances. Paramount released a film version with the same title in 1959, with most of the Broadway cast reprising their roles.
The local musical is directed by Jeff Marontate, with musical direction from Amanda Sands, choreography by Roger Wellington and Angel Vasiliadis, and vocal direction by Dr. Patti Hopper.
Li’l Abner runs May 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at 7pm and May 7 at 2pm, in the auditorium at Walkerville Collegiate. Tickets are $15 ($10 for seniors & students) and family four-packs are available for $40.
For more information, contact Jeff Marontate at 519-252-6514 ext 31416.
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