NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

6/04/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Heather Conrad is accustomed to being in front of a crowd, but it has been a while since she has been on the theatrical stage. Conrad has the title role in the NSU Theatre's "Little Mary Sunshine" which will be presented June 14-22 on the stage of the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

"Little Mary Sunshine," is a musical spoof of old operettas. The play is complete with noble Forest Rangers, an eternally optimistic heroine, stalwart heroes and a whole assortment of stock early vintage musical theatre types.

The show, written by Rick Besoyan, made a star of Eileen Brennan and was called "a devastatingly comic jab at the operettas of the 1920's" and "one of the greatest "sleepers in musical theatre history." It was also one of Off-Broadway's longest running plays.

An instructor in the Department of Language and Communication at Northwestern, Conrad is an experienced performer. For the past 10 years, she has performed as a singer, including a time with the Air Force Band.

"This has been a good opportunity for me to stay involved," said Conrad. "I have taken the musical theatre workshop and really enjoyed it."

Conrad earned her undergraduate degree at William and Mary where she was active in theatre. She received her master's at Northwestern in 2001. She has appeared in musicals including "A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum," "Once Upon a Mattress" and "The Pirates of Penzance." She also worked at Busch Gardens.

"I have enjoyed working with the people in the cast. They have taken me in. I don't feel like an outsider," said Conrad. "The rehearsals are upbeat. We laugh a lot and enjoy each other's company.

"Most of the people in the cast have been in a number of shows and I am fortunate to work with them. James Palmer ('Big Jim' Warington) is very talented. Kristin Jones (Ernestine) has a wonderful singing voice."

As the title character, Conrad has several songs and a great deal of dialogue. Mary Sunshine owns the Frontier Inn which is the setting for several scenes.

"Mary is what can be described as eternally optimistic," said Conrad. "She is as cheerful as can be and has a feeling of optimism and joy throughout the play."

According to Conrad, director Dr. Jack Wann sets the tempo for the rehearsals and gives latitude to cast members.

"He encourages us to do things that will add touches to our character," she said. "For example, the girls in the chorus get to do things to develop an individual personality."

Conrad says the play should be enjoyable for entire families, even those who aren't familiar with the types of plays or movies being lampooned.

"It is pretty entertaining with a lot of fun and silliness. The play is definitely family entertainment," said Conrad. "There are a number of stereotypical characters who act predictably and that is part of the humor."

Tickets to "Little Mary Sunshine" are $16.50, which includes dinner and the show. For more information, call (318) 357-6891.

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