The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) opens its 41st season with a revival of Chaps! at the Knickerbocker Theatre. Opening Friday, June 15 and running throughout the summer until August 10, Chaps! is a comedic portrayal of what happens when the worlds of BBC radio and cowboy music collide. Ticket prices range from $12 through $28. Making the world premiere at HSRT 17 years ago, Chaps! will be directed by playwrights Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner.
It’s 1944 London and the BBC is preparing a special musical broadcast for the troops on the front lines of World War II. Panic sets in when a singing American cowboy troupe fails to arrive. Prim-and-proper BBC employees scramble at the last minute to grab whatever they can slap together and perform as American cowboys in front of a live studio audience. The result is a hysterical performance that the audience and England will never forget!
Based on the book written by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner and with vocal arrangements by Malcolm Hillgartner and Chip Duford, Chaps! had its world premiere performance at HSRT in 1995. Beecham and Hillgartner (Ashland, OR) who use the joint penname Jahnna N. Malcolm, have published over 130 books along with numerous plays, musicals, and television commercials. They have worked with HSRT for over 20 years and this season will mark the third run for the hilarious British-cowboy musical. The Tolucan Times praised Chaps! saying, “The show ends up as a laugh out loud hootenanny, with slapstick physical humor, impromptu gags, and a sensational sound effects guy who chimes in right on key.”
This revival of Chaps! features original cast member and equity actor Chip Duford (AEA)(Fleshing, MI) as Leslie, who played Clive in the 1995 production. Duford is a well-known actor to the Holland community, returning to the stage for his 19th season with HSRT! Also featured is equity actor Teddy Yudain (AEA) (Stanford, CT) as Archie, returning to the HSRT company for his 5th season. Other cast members include T.J. Wagner (Malvern, PA) as Miles/Puppet, Michael Hanna (Woodlands, TX) as Clive, John Telfer (Western Spring, IL) as Stan, and Emily Austin (Boulder, CO) as Mabel.
The playwright Beecham and Hilgartner will again be directing the production. The production team includes stage manager Sammy Brown (Evansville, IN), costume designer Kristina Makowski (Brooklyn NY), scenic designer Kristin Kurtz (Brick, NJ), and lighting designer Stephen Sakowitz (Bloomington, IL).
The playwright Beecham and Hilgartner will again be directing the production. The production team includes stage manager Sammy Brown (Evansville, IN), costume designer Kristina Makowski (Brooklyn NY), scenic designer Kristin Kurtz (Brick, NJ), and lighting designer Stephen Sakowitz (Bloomington, IL).
Take advantage of Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s best ticket offer and purchase a season ticket coupon. Season ticket coupons save patrons up to 27% off individual ticket prices and guarantees a terrific seat for every performance! With free exchanges, purchasing a season ticket coupon is the best way to support HSRT.
The Season Pass Coupon includes Mezzanine seating for four mainstage performances and our bonus show for only $87 for adults and $82 for seniors. The Best Buy Coupon includes admission to the four main stage productions for $67 for adults and $62 for seniors. The Super-Saver Coupon includes seating limited to the balcony and orchestra for our four main stage productions for $50 for adults and seniors. The Children’s Pass Coupon is great for children under 12 and includes tickets to both Children’s Performance Troupe performances and one ticket to a main stage musical for $25. Please note all subscription coupons include a $2 processing fee.
Individual tickets are now on sale by calling 616-395-7890 or by visiting the DeWitt Theatre (141 East 12th St.) and DeVos Fieldhouse (222 Fairbanks Ave.) ticket offices. Specific pricing for Chaps! is as follows: Adult admission is $28 for Mezz. seating and $22 Orch/Balcony. Senior/Faculty & Staff admission is $26 Mezz seating and $19 Orch/Balcony. Students and children under 18 are $12. HSRT’s ticket office is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Beginning June 16th the ticket office is open on Saturday’s at noon. On performance dates, the DeWitt Ticket Office will be open through intermission.
For more information visit the HSRT website at www.hope.edu/hsrt or www.facebook.com/