Summer Music Theatre - THE NERD

Summer Music Theatre Finale: "The Nerd" July 21-22, 27-29

MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University’s Summer Music Theatre presents its last performance of the season, “The Nerd,” July 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 in Horrabin Hall Theatre. Show time is 7:30 p.m.

Larry Shue’s comedy about payback showcases a seven-member cast directed by Assistant Theatre Professor Jason Conner.

Willum Cubbert, played by Tristan L. Tapscott (Hampton, IL), a senior WIU musical theatre major, is an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, IN who was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has often told his friends about Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life in Vietnam.

Rick played by CJ Langdon (O’Fallon, IL), a junior musical theatre major, shows up after Willum writes to him, explaining that as long as he is alive, Rick will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for him.

At first Willum is delighted but the delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless nerd, a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and even less tact.

As Rick stays on, one uproarious incident after another pushes Willum to contemplate violence — a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising twist ending of the play.

Other cast members include Ben Gougeon (Alpena, MI), a third-year MFA student as Axel; Samantha Dubina (Lockport, IL), a senior musical theatre major as Tansy; and Jennifer Drew (Knoxville, IL), a third-year acting MFA student, playing Clelia. Brian Clark, an assistant libraries professor, is playing Waldgrave; and Dylan Streveler, a Macomb eighth grader, is playing Thor.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens (62 and above) and $10 for children under 12. For more information call the Browne Hall Hainline Theatre Box Office at 309/298-2900. Box office hours are from noon-5 p.m. weekdays.