By Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
Smile Politely/Rebecca Knaur
News Gazette/Melissa Merli
Director – Latrelle Bright
Music Director – Justin M. Brauer
Choreographers – Endalyn Taylor and Kemal C. Nance
Production Manager/Technical Director – Nicole Bromley
Scenic Coordinator – J. Michael Griggs
Costume Designer – Samantha C. Jones
Lighting Designer – David Krupla
Sound Designer/Audio Engineer – Alec LaBau
Vocal Coach/Rehearsal Accompanist – Justin M. Brauer
Assistant Director – Katie Fenton
Master Electrician – Eric Van Tassell
Stage Manager – Cathy Fazio
Assistant Stage Manager – Grace Chariya
Conductor – Nathaniel Banks
Keyboard – Justin M. Brauer
Synthesizer – Leigh Meador
Trumpet – Joshua Billingsley, Phillip Kocheril, Alexandra Wells
Saxophone – Chip McNeill, Ron Bridgewater, Jenelle Orcherton
Trombone- Matthew Frazzetto
Guitar – Jose Gobbo
Bass – Guitar Christopher Beyt
Drums – Mark McKnight
CAST
Effie Melody White – Tafadzwa Diener
Curtis Taylor, Jr. – Kvn Tajzea
Deena Jones – Jasmine Dandridge
C.C. White – Davion Williams
Lorrell Robinson – J’Lyn Hope
James “Thunder” Early – Cedric Jones
Marty – Nathon Jones
Michelle Morris – April M. Blacker
Wayne – Prince F. Robertson
Tiny Joe Dixon/Jerry Norman – Kevin Cory LeSure
M.C. – Preston Roseborough
Stepp Sister/Security Guard – Madelyn Childress
Stepp Sister/Stage Manager – Rhonda Henderson
Stepp Sister/Frances – Alahna Van Matre
Charlene – Jelinda Smith
JoAnn – Ocean Richardson
Little Albert – Adrian Rochelle
Backstage Worker – James H. Hayes, Jr.
Dave – Eric Sirota
Sweetheart – Saskia Bakker
Sweetheart/Delores – Megan Fazio
Sweetheart – Christine Mayer
ENSEMBLE (The Tru-Tones, The Tuxedos, James Early Band, Les Style, Mr. Morgan, Radio Announcers, Film Executives, Reporters, Photographers, Guests, Vocals):
Saskia Bakker, April M. Blacker, Madelyn Childress, Megan Fazio, James H. Hayes, Jr., Rhonda Henderson, Kevin Cory LeSure, Christine Mayer, Elisa Ransom, Ocean Richardson, Adrian Rochelle, Preston Roseborough, Eric Sirota, Jelinda Smith, Alahna Van Matre
Dance Captains – Preston Roseborough and Jelinda Smith
Understudy for Male Principal Roles – Preston Roseborough