The Southwest Playhouse in Clinton kicks off the 2022-23 season in less than a week with the play M*A*S*H written by Tim Kelly and directed by Blair Barnett.
“I have co-directed, but I have never directed by myself before. This is my first solo venture,” Barnett said. “It’s been really interesting. I’ve had a lot of help. I’ve had people who have been doing this a long time guiding me, so it hasn’t been bad at all.
I’ve had a supportive environment.”
Barnett and the cast have been rehearsing for more than a month, and she said the actors have made great progress.
“It’s always rough in the beginning because everyone is staring down at a book, but I would say this last week it’s really starting to come together.”
Although there are a few humorous dance numbers, the show is not a musical. Barnett said ticketholders can expect mostly dry comedy with “natural laughter” and not too much slap stick. “There’s a serious scene here and there, but mostly it’s just comedy,” she said.
The show is set during the Korean War, and Barnett said the play is similar to the popular television show, but it follows a slightly different storyline.
“They’re trying to get one of their Korean friends to the states for medical school,” she said.
Opening night for the show takes place at 7:30 p.m. September 9 with more shows taking place at the same time September 10, 16 and 17. There will be performances at 2 p.m.
September 10 and 18.
Tickets for the show can be purchased beginning Monday at southwestplayhouse. com. They are $16 for adults, $12 for students and $10 for children.
Barnett said flex passes also are available for purchase where attendees can choose which performances they want to see. “It gives you four tickets you can use for any show. I think it saves you about $3 a ticket. A lot of people are doing the flex pass.”
Cast List for M*A*S*H in order of appearance: Gen. Hammond — Dan Houck Pvt. Boone — John Jones Lt. Col. Blake — Sean Williams Capt. Bridget McCarthy — Natalie Houck Lt. Janice Fury — Emily Gill Sgt. Devine —Boone Hardaway Lt. Louise Kimble — Cierra Cuccias Capt. Frank Burns — Wesley Javorsky Father Patrick Mulcahy — Riley Intemann Capt. Walter “Walt” Waldowski — Kenny Gregory Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre — James Burnam Capt. John Black “Ugly” — Nathan DeVaughan Cpl. “Radar” Reilly — Braxton Driskill Capt. Benjamin Pierce “Hawkeye” — Gavin Houck Capt. Augustus Forrest “Duke” — Sean Todd Williams Ho-Jon — Ryder Adams Pvt. Lopez — Hunter Eads Korean Woman — Jasey Burnam Korean Daughter — Isadora Enochs Lt. Nancy Phillips — Izzy O’Bleness Maj. Margaret Houlihan — Erin Giles Congresswoman Goldfarb — Tracye Kelly Dean Mercy Lodge — Cathy DeVaughan Miss Randazzle —Gretta Geisler Mitzi Bonwit — Emily DeVaughan Fritzi Bonwit — Samantha Rother Agnes Bonwit — Chloe Houck Lt. Connie Liebowitz — Alicia Curry Capt. Oliver Jones “Spearchucker” — Colten Childress Maj. Ruth Haskell — Kim Chenoweth Football Announcers — John and Thomas Williams Extras, some of the cast members above will be doubled as other extras — Lindsey Pyron
Members of the cast of M*A*S*H* will begin the newest show at Southwest Playhouse September 9 in Clinton.