Does Daisy Mae win her man?
Get the scoop when Jackson Theatre Guild presents musical 'Li'l Abner'
By ASHLEY EDWARDS WALKER
jhillman@jacksonsun.com
In Dogpatch, U.S.A., a rural Appalachian town where pastimes include fishing and drinking kickapoo juice, residents look forward to the annual Sadie Hawkins Day Dance where the town's women can land the man of their dreams.
Dogpatch resident Daisy Mae thinks this is the year she is finally going to ask her secret crush Li'l Abner to the dance. That is until the government comes to town and declares Dogpatch as the “most unnecessary” place in the world.
With the government's plan to evacuate the town and use it for nuclear testing, the people of Dogpatch know they have to act fast to save their home. They head to Washington to show the government Dogpatch is indeed necessary, as its Yokumberry tonic is a cure-all for puny men hoping to bulk up.
But there may be a hitch in the plan if they can't save Abner, whose mother created the tonic, from the influence of Gen. Bullmoose and his shapely girlfriend who are trying to trick Abner into giving them the tonic's secret recipe.
Find out what happens when the Jackson Theatre Guild presents the musical “Li'l Abner” at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center, 314 E. Main St., in Jackson.
“Li'l Abner” is inspired by the classic newspaper comic strip of the same name written by Al Capp from the 1930s to the 70s.
“Al Capp has great sense of humor,” Director Scott Conley, said. “Satire was one of his main tools, and there was very little he couldn't find a way to poke a little bit of fun at.”
Conley said some musical productions presented by JTG, such as “Sweeney Todd,” have been a little darker, but “Li'l Abner” will return the musical to its genre's lighter roots.
“Being the kind of musical that it is, which is just a whole lot of fun, we do find a way to save Dogpatch,” Conley said. “We do find a way to get Abner and Daisy Mae together. But it's got lots of comic twists and turns in the journey finding that spot.”
Conley said he was attracted to “Li'l Abner” after seeing a movie version of the musical several years ago.
“There are lots of little laughs in the characters and the beliefs they bring to the plot of 'Li'l Abner,'” he said. “You can't help but see a lot of things about Dogpatch people that you both recognize, maybe in your neighbors, and that you wish you could be more like. They have their own way of doing things. They are a tight-knit community even though each and every one are very exaggerated types. It gives us all almost a dream of a place we wish the world were more like.”
Jackson-native Sidney Burngasser plays title character Li'l Abner in the musical. To prepare for the role Burngasser dyed his hair black and increased his gym time.
“It's a fun part to play,” Burngasser said. “It's definitely been a challenge because it's way out of my box.”
Burngasser said the musical numbers and choreography are the highlights of the family-friendly show.
“I think it's a show that lots of people will want to see, and lots of people will enjoy,” Burngasser said. “And I think that it's a good thing for our community that we can put on something so wholesome, and so family-friendly, but so entertaining at the same time.”
Lauren Cleek plays Abner's love interest, Daisy Mae.
“She's just like the girl next door, really sweet and nice to everyone and wants the best for people in Dogpatch,” Cleek said.
Cleek said she is excited for West Tennessee residents to see the play because many of them will be familiar with the musical's concepts.
“It's got a little southern flair to it,” Cleek said. “People can relate to it. It's like their own small town that they may have grown up in a long time ago.”
Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance and $10 for seniors and students tonight and Sunday; $18 at the door, $15 in advance and $12 for seniors and students Friday and Saturday night; all tickets are $8 for Saturday's matinee.
Tickets are available at www.jtgonline.com or The Ned box office.
FYI
What: The Jackson Theatre Guild presents the musical 'Li'l Abner.'
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight and Friday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: The Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center, 314 E. Main St., in Jackson.
Tickets: Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance and $10 for seniors and students tonight and Sunday; $18 at the door, $15 in advance and $12 for seniors and students Friday and Saturday night; all tickets are $8 for Saturday's matinee.
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