November 10, 2008

Troy University Theatre opens Nov. 13 with “A Lesson Before Dying”

TROY – The Troy University Theatre will present “A Lesson Before Dying” by Romulus Linney Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 19-21 in the Trojan Center Theatre.

The play, based on the novel by Ernest Gaines, centers on a young black man who is wrongly condemned to death in backwoods Louisiana in 1948. His godmother asks a schoolteacher to teach him to die like a man. 

Headlining this year’s cast are students:

• ·        Chris Boucher, a computer science and theatre major minoring in information science, who plays Paul in “A Lesson Before Dying.” While at Troy, Boucher has played parts in “Hamlet,” “Misanthrope,” and “The Piccaso at the Lapin Agile.”  He is a full-time businessman working for DNW United Services Group.

• ·        William “Trey” Allen, a sophomore performance theatre major minoring in public relations from Montgomery, who is playing the part of Jefferson in “A Lesson Before Dying.” In his two years at Troy University, he has been a part of the Troy University Pied Pipers, “The Misanthrope,” “Family Values,” and “Urinetown.”  Allen exhibits his singing talent by being a participating member of both the Troy University Gospel Singers and his church choir. 

• ·        Maurice McCoo, a communication arts major with a minor in marketing, plays the role of Reverend in “A Lesson Before Dying”.  While at Troy, McCoo has been a part of “Our Town,” “Hamlet,” “Of Mice and Men” and played a role in “Fences” in Troy’s “Page to Stage” performance. When not on the stage, the 22 year-old senior from Huntsville enjoys watching movies and playing basketball.

• ·        W. Dean Muhammad, a senior theatre major with a minor in biology from Anniston, who plays the role of Grant.  Throughout the past years, Muhammad has appeared in “Two Rooms” at Troy University, as well as many other shows from Alabama State University and Florida A & M University such as “The Merchant of Venice” and “Tecumseh!”

• ·         Jason E. Ramsey, of Greenville, Tex., who plays the Sheriff in “A Lesson Before Dying.”  Ramsey has been a part of many shows on the University level including “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “A Few Good Men” and “Lizard”.  He has two daughters whom he enjoys spending time with when he is not producing and directing independent films through his production company which he founded in 2006.

• ·        Shaquita Smith, a freshmen theatre major from Birmingham.  In “A Lesson Before Dying,” she plays the role of Vivian Baptist. Throughout the past couple of years, Smith has played a major role in many shows including “The Insanity of Mary Giraurd,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Big Momma Goes Back to High School.”  In her spare time, Smith enjoys writing and poetry. 

• ·        Jasmine Wyatt, a freshman theater major from Phenix City, plays the role of Miss Emma in “A Lesson Before Dying.”  Over the past years, Wyatt has played roles in “The Music Man,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Give my Regards to Broadway”. 

The novel “A Lesson Before Dying” is the subject of the University’s Common Reading Initiative this semester and the play compliments the cross-curriculum discussion of the book, said Adena Moree, who is directing the production.

Tickets, on sale now the Trojan Box Office, are available for $5 for reserved seating. Admission is free to students with TROY ID. For tickets, call the box office at 334-670-3293.

 

 

CUTLINE: The cast of Troy University’s production of “A Lesson Before Dying” will take to the Trojan Theatre stage beginning Nov. 13. (TROY photo)