JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

For several years each July, the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre has taken audiences back to the home front during World War II with its "1940s USO Show" musical. It must be the right show at the right time because audiences seem to love it.

Each year the production changes slightly as director/creator Jennifer Schmidt plugs in different musical numbers from the wartime 1940s era. Many of the cast return each year to be in the show again.

"The 1940s is such a nostalgic era for so many people," JRT artistic director Kathleen Buttolph said. "For this new generation, so many people have no recollection of the ’40s. We’ve heard about it from our parents and grandparents.

"I’m glad we can keep that era alive to know how important it was to our world, not only because of the war but for the music and culture. There’s nothing like music of the ’40s and dancing of the ’40s.

"Another thing is we are still at war and honor the military, give them support and help people remember it’s about our young people going over and serving."

While the songs and some of the performers change from year to year, the story line is the same — a live radio broadcast going out to the troops, with a nod to the Hollywood Canteen setting, where anyone in a military uniform is welcomed free into the place for entertainment.

Schmidt researches music from the era and chooses what songs the cast should do. It’s an era she loves dearly.

"Jennifer really paints a wonderful picture for people," Buttolph said.
"She’s the mastermind of it, and she’s so authentic about it. There’s nothing that’s not true to the 1940s — the dance styles, hairstyles, makeup, costumes, even the way they deliver their music and the intros. It’s very stylized."

Of the show numbers, three or four are repeats but none are from last year’s show, Buttolph said, except the "Armed Forces Medley" when audience veterans and current troops are honored.

This is the biggest production JRT does and this year’s is the biggest "USO Show" yet, with 27 cast members, 40 total cast, band and crew members, plus a few box office volunteers.

The show is choreographed by Kristin Smith. The USO Women are Shelley Bolt, Summer Buchanan, Michele Chapman, Shannon Frazier, Janette Gaines, Kim Jones, Roxanne Logan, Jennifer Mrozek, Laura O’Bryan, Nancy Peak, Brittany Pealer, Susan Saam, Schmidt, Katelyn Smith, Kristin Smith, Sharon Squibb, Lexi Turner, Pam Williams and Tammy Williams.

The USO Men are Jonathan Baker, Josh Baldwin, Ben Bolt, Bob Browning, Todd Mrozek, Josh O’Bryan, Dennis Smith and Don Squibb. USO Band members are Howard Bloom, Rob Brown, Stacia Brown, Barb Knisley, Alex Mink, Jonathan Reed and Lucas Schmidt.

USO crew includes technical director Mike Schmidt, lighting director Scott Hardy, light board operator D.J. Smith and sound assistant Gabby Wexler and Buttolph.

JRT will host 10 performances throughout the week starting Wednesday night at 7. Thursday night’s show is already sold out. Shows are set for Friday at 11:30 a.m. (moved back half an hour to avoid conflict with the Jonesborough Days Parade), 2 and 5 p.m., and Saturday at 11 a.m. as well as 2 and 5 p.m. The production concludes on Sunday with shows at 2 and 5 p.m.

JRT is located at 125½ West Main Street, across from Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, next door to the Historic Eureka Inn. Main Street Café & Catering will be hosting the opening night gala after Wednesday’s show.

The production is sponsored by Johnson City Power Board.

Article courtesy of johnsoncitypress.com