"Nerd" revival to open September 6

"The Nerd" revival opens September 6

MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University’s Summer Music Theatre presentation of "The Nerd" is back September 6 for one week only! The show previously served as the finale for the 2006 Summer Music Theatre season, and is back with its original SMT cast for 4 more performances.

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.

"The Nerd" will play Wednesday, September 6 through Saturday, September 9 in Horrabin Hall Theatre. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens (62 and above). 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.