Department of Global Languages and Theatre Arts and Department of Music set to perform Cry-Baby April 23-26

 

MURRAY, Ky. — The Murray State University Department of Global Languages and Theatre Arts, in collaboration with the Department of Music, will perform Cry-Baby on April 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 at 2:30 p.m. at the Robert E. Johnson Theatre in the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building on Murray State’s campus.

Tickets are $20 and can be reserved at murraystate.edu/theatretickets or by calling 270-809-4421 for more information. Murray State students get in free with ID. 

Based on the cult classic, 1990 John Waters film, Cry-Baby features a delightfully demented book from the writers of Hairspray and a rockabilly score from the co-founder of Fountains of Wayne and the executive producer of "The Daily Show."

From the Department of Global Languages and Theatre Arts: It's 1954. Everyone likes Ike, nobody likes communism and Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker is the coolest boy in Baltimore. He's a bad boy with a good cause: truth, justice and the pursuit of rock and roll. Cry-Baby and the square rich girl, Allison, are star-crossed lovers at the center of this world. Fueled by hormones and the new rhythms of rock and roll, she turns her back on her squeaky clean boyfriend, Baldwin, to become a "Drape" (a Baltimore juvenile delinquent) and Cry-Baby's moll. At the other end of the topsy-turvy moral meritocracy of 1954 America, Baldwin is the king of the Squares and leads his close-harmony pals against the juvenile delinquents, who are ultimately arrested for arson, sending the Drapes all off to prison. It's Romeo and Juliet meets High School Hellcats.

Murray State’s production is directed by Daryl W. Phillipy, professor of theatre. 

“Cry-Baby is a satire of the 1950s teen angst films such as Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, and Jailhouse Rock starring Elvis Presley,” says Phillipy. “The play not only harkens back to the 1950s, but also speaks to our current times of the 2020s. The play is a romantic comedy with some extremely funny songs, great choreography and classic 1950s style music.”

Cast members of the show have enjoyed getting to know their characters and working as a team to create their production.

“I’ve always loved the character of Lenora (the desperately lovesick teen and obsessive stalker of Cry-Baby), and getting the chance to play her has been a blast,” said Kristina Belt, a senior theatre/musical theatre major from Symsonia, Kentucky. “I’m surrounded by incredibly talented peers that push me to let loose, have fun and be a better performer. Every person in this cast and behind the scenes is putting in so much hard work to put on a show you don’t want to miss.” 

Bailey Litton, a freshman theatre/musical theatre major from Hodgenville, Kentucky, plays Pepper Walker, the tough, rebellious teenage sister of Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker known for being fiercely protective, foul-mouthed and capable of fighting like a man.

“Playing Pepper Walker has been a wild ride, but I’m so excited to perform in my first show at Murray State,” said Litton. 

Jessie Alejandro Leal, a junior music/musical theatre major from Madisonville, Kentucky, plays Dupree W. Dupree, best friend of Cry-Baby.  

“Cry-Baby has been an absolute pleasure to put together with everyone involved,” said Leal. “The production has helped me further explore my work as a performer. I look forward to presenting my work as Dupree, and continuing the joy that is Cry-Baby the musical with my amazing cast mates.”

Adyson Townsend, a junior musical theatre major from Paducah, Kentucky, plays Allison, the "good girl" protagonist who rebels against her restrictive, affluent life. 

“Getting to play Allison has been a dream for me,” says Townsend. “She is put together and crazy at the same time, which allows me a lot of creative freedom.”

Rounding out the cast of Cry-Baby are Quinn Coursey, senior music/musical theatre major from Madisonville, Kentucky; Lucas Jones, freshman music/musical theatre major from Milan, Tennessee; Chloe LaDon, senior theatre/musical theatre major from Murray, Kentucky; and Eli LaRue, senior musical theatre major from Evansville, Indiana.

The choreography is by Cassidy Edward-Thorn, adjunct instructor of dance, with music direction by Dr. Christopher Mitchell, professor of voice. Scenic design is by Jack Stoffell, instructor of theatre; costumes by Heidi Ortega, associate professor of theatre; and lighting design by Zach Pfeffer, senior theatre major from Evansville, Indiana.

For more information about the show or other upcoming performances, visit murraystate.edu/theatrearts.