"Stop the World - I Want to Get Off"
by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse
July 31 - Aug. 23, 2009

Stop the World, I Want to Get Off is set against the backdrop of a circus. Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, Stop the World is directed by Jay Jennings and produced by Teresa Stankiewicz. This is the tale of Littlechap, a dreamer of dreams. He is determined to become rich and carry out excursions to Cannes, Capri and Royal Ascot. He imagines that the stairway to success is the marriage to the boss’ daughter. While he is dreaming of what could be, life happens.

Littlechap, the role made famous by Anthony Newley, is easily created by singer, actor and dancer Nathan Villarreal. He glides comfortably into each scene with ballet-like grace, and approaches each musical number with the ease that only an experienced singer can present. Nathan has been classically trained and has a deep love for the theatre. You may remember him in the Wimberley Players’ production of Man of La Mancha. Nathan is especially happy to be sharing the stage with his daughter, Celeste.

Carole Hofstad portrays Evie, Littlechap’s wife, and doubles as Vocal Coach. Carole hails from Minneapolis, MN, where she performed in a variety of venues including music ensembles to contemporary opera. She is also a Man of La Mancha veteran. Serving as St. Stephens Episcopal Church pianist, she is raising a budding actress/singer, her daughter, Samantha.

Littlechap’s German mistress, Anya, is played by Amber Lackey. Amber has spent the past three years in New York working in theatre, but returned to Texas to prepare for her wedding. She is happy to be back on the Wimberley Players’ stage for her first appearance since Christmas Belles. She holds a BFA in Acting from Texas State.

Juli Dearrington’s last performance on the Wimberley Players’ stage was in Christmas Belles. Juli sings professionally with the Sentimental Journey Orchestra and Destination and works for Seton Healthcare Network. Juli plays Littlechap’s American (New York songstress) mistress, Ginnie.

Dawn Youngs, recently arrived from Cleveland, has been a professional actor, teacher, and director. Dawn impresses us with her German accent as she portrays Littlechap’s mistress, Ilse. In the roles of Littlechap’s two daughters are Celeste Villarreal as Jane, and Nicole Bennett as Susan. Celeste has participated in many productions at the Emily Ann Theatre including Joseph and The Amazing Dream Coat, Broadway under the Stars, and Sixties Sensation. Celeste is a Respiratory Care major.

Nicole Bennett (Susan) makes her debut on the Wimberley stage in this performance. She is a junior at Texas State where she majors in musical theatre, and dance and mass communications.

The cast is rounded out by “The Chorus,” consisting of several talented singers and dancers, including Vance Loggins, Caroline Weaver, Kimberly Suarez, Falon C. Rucker, Reed Neal, and Deanna Lalich. The live orchestra for the play features Guy Ben-Moshe (bass), Michal Rosenberger (musical director, piano), Sean Palmer (percussion), Jonna Kay Beck (bassoon), Gerin Hood (flute) and Malcolm McCLean (keyboard). Popular songs from this musical include “What Kind of Fool Am I” and “Once in A Lifetime.”

If all the craziness of this world is getting to you, come and laugh, cry, and sing with the Wimberley Players for a couple of hours and take your mind off your troubles.

In a scene from Stop The World, I Want To Get Off, Littlechap (Nathan Villarreal, far right) is being honored for what might be his less than honorable life achievements.   The chorus shown here are: (Front row, l to r) Reed Neal, Falcon Rucker, Caroline Weaver, (Back row, l to r) Vance Loggins, Deanna Lalich, Kimberley Suarez.

See the Austin Live Theatre online review of this production at http://tinyurl.com/mm9co4.