tomsawyer

By Chris Post
Midwest Freelancer

     Given its historic charm, it isn't hard to imagine Arrow Rock serving
as the setting for Mark Twain's classic “The Adventures of Tom
Sawyer,” and the fact is that is has and will once again.

     It was 35 years ago that MGM filmed its version of the story in
Arrow Rock and beginning with a pair of performances on June 23, the
Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre will be staging a production of the musical.

     Director Jan Swank said that although the novel was not well-
received upon publication it grew in popularity and went on to give
America one of its basic character types.

     “Twain invented the American archetype of the prankish, wildly
imaginative boy with a taste for adventure,” he said.

    Bringing Tom Sawyer to life will be John Kinney, who appeared as Jack in the season opener “Into the Woods.”
Kinney is new to Arrow Rock this season, but has a number of St. Louis credits which include roles in “Footloose,”
“Camelot” and “Carousel.”

    Joining Kinney in the adventures will be Lyceum newcomers Gregory Schmerber and Angie Perez, appearing as
Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher. Schmerber is a recent graduate of Webster University where he appeared in
“You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Bat Boy.” An Indiana native, Perez appeared as Caroline in the world
premier of “February Stars: The Foosical.”

    Twain's work is also home to a rich population of adult characters. Tina Marie Casamento, fresh from her
performance as the Witch in “Into the Woods” will play Aunt Polly with William Broderick taking the part of Judge
Thatcher. Longtime patrons might remember Broderick from his 1999 performance as Emile de Becque in “South
Pacific.”

    Perhaps the most menacing children's villain since Captain Hook, Injun Joe will be played by Tim Scott. In addition
to appearing as Rapunzel's Prince in “Into the Woods,” Scott has worked on stages in New York City, Los Angeles
and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

    The cast also includes John Flack as Muff Potter, April Woodall as Widow Douglas, Greg Faupel as Lemuel
Dobbins, Bob Bohon as Rev. Joshua Sprague, Mason Scott as Sid Sawyer, Michael Brennan as Doc Robinson and
Gideon Temple, Michael Scott as the Sheriff, Trevor Belt as Lanyard Robinson and Pap, Will Sevedge as Ben Rogers,
Andrew Purcell as Joe Harper, Thomas Andrew Waller as George Bellamy, Andrew Lang as Lyle Peters, Tom Hogan
as Alfred Temple, Sarah Dent as Amy Lawrence, Hannah Duncan as Lucy Harper, Mary Kate Moore as Sabina
Temple, Lauren Braton as Susie Rogers, Sarah Mae McElroy as Sereny Harper, Elena Gronlund as Jessica Rogers,
Rachel Lefervre as Naomi Hollis and Amber Scott as Sally Bellamy.

    In addition to Swank, a number of other behind-the-scenes crew lent their talents to creating the production. As
choreographer, Kristen Nordstrom returns to the Lyceum stage where she directed and/or choreographed “You're a
Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Oliver” and “Mame.” Adam Miecielica serves as the production's scenic designer. He
created last season's “Harvey” set and his work has been featured on the cover of “Theatre Design and Technology.”
John Wylie, whose previous Lyceum credits include “Oklahoma” and “Chicago,” designed the production's lights and
John Metzner designed the costumes. Metzner is a veteran of numerous Lyceum productions including “Kiss Me
Kate,” “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “Guys and Dolls.”

    The season continues July 7 – 18 with the Lyceum's production of "Sugar;" July 21 - Aug. 1, with "The Sunshine
Boys;" Aug. 3 – 15 with "The Philadelphia Story," Aug. 17 – 26 with "Misery;" Sept. 5 - 16 with "Smoke on the
Mountain Homecoming;" and ends Sept. 26 - Oct. 7 with "Children of a Lesser God.”

    Tickets for each production are available through the Lyceum's Web site at www.lyceumtheatre.org or by calling
the box office at 660-831-3311. The box office is now running on its summer schedule, allowing patrons to call
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

      The Lyceum Theatre began in 1960 in a 50-seat church in the historic village of Arrow Rock. Today, the Lyceum
Theatre ranks as one of the best-known regional theaters in the country and its actors play to a 408-seat audience at
the same location.