March 20
March 20, 2007Vergie Petersen
March 23, 2007
South Louisiana Casting Productions has once again set out to take residents on a musical retrospective through the ’50s and ’60s with its annual rock and soul musical revue.
The local musical talents will sing at En’vie Restaurant, 203 East Bayou Road in Thibodaux on March 22-25 and March 27-30.
At $60 a person, residents can enjoy a dinner, a musical showcase and dancing. Dinner begins promptly at 7 p.m., followed by the show and dancing at 8 p.m. The Sunday matinee begins at 1 p.m., followed by the show at 2 p.m.
Created by two successful businesswomen, the Rock and Soul Revue brings the passion of theatre and film to its audiences. Lorna Farrar and Bernadette Dugas have shared this theatrical passion for nearly two decades.
Together the two entrepreneurs formed the South Louisiana Casting Production in 1988. This provided them an opportunity to showcase their talents in theatre and film. Dugas comes from the Los Angeles film industry and Farrar hails from the New York theatre district. Their combined talents have made for an excellent second career, the two agree.
“We just wanted to put a musical company together with a great sound. We have a lot of talented artist in the group. Together, we have many years’ of experience,” Farrar said.
Dugas is also the owner of Mermaid’s Masquerade Costume Sales and Rentals in Houma. She carries a large array of children and adult costumes, make-up, accessories and a vast collection of wigs. The costume designer is a member of the National Costumer’s Association, where she has competed and won awards for best costume design.
Farrar opened Lorna Farrar’s Boutique in Houma in 1988. She has since incorporated a hair salon, makeup artistry, a seamstress, shoe store and gift store into the boutique. Farrar said she believes in customer service, and she credits this to her stint as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines.
Farrar was also elected to design uniforms as a member of the Delta Airline Fashion Board. She has been around the world visiting fashion houses, studying fabrics, fits and styles.
Split between their day jobs and preparing for the review, the two are busily readying the cast for opening night.
Directed by David and Shannon Rhodes, the soul revue is comprised of 12 vocalists and six musicians, some as young as age 14.
One of the younger vocalists, 16-year-old Mary Cutright said she grew up listening to music from the ’50s and ’60s. She said she feels it’s a great opportunity to be a part of the musical. The talented youngster got her start in the Rock and Soul Revue at the age of 14. She is a junior at Assumption High School and an honor student.
This year, Cutright is not the youngest vocalist. That distinction belongs to 14-year-old E.D. White Catholic School student Addie Himmel. She is a member of the District VII Honor Choir under the direction of fellow revue mate Anthony Waguespack.
Waguespack has more than 32 years’ experience as a band director. He currently serves as president of the Louisiana Music Education Association District VII Band Director’s Association.
This year’s revue will include old favorites like “Hound Dog,” which was first recorded by Big Momma Thorton in 1953 and re-recorded by Elvis Presley three years later; the 1963 hit “My Boyfriend’s Back” made popular by the Angels; and the 1957 smash “Great Balls of Fire” by Otis Blackwell.
“We wanted to bring the music from the ’50s and ’60s back. People love to hear good rendition of the music they used to dance too as a teenager,” Farrar said.
Choreographed by Allie Waguespack, the Rock and Soul Revue includes Errol Bourgeois Jr., Lauren Boudreaux, Shane Carson, Cutright, Himmel, Elizabeth Holocomb, Ernie Blanchard, Clyde Pellegrin, Pershing Wells, Jimmy George, Debbie Womack, Shannon Rhodes, David Rhodes, Angel Sigler, Brandon Landry, Lauren Rhodes, Dana Shicksnider, Brian Theriot and Anthony Waguespack.
For more information or reservations, call (985) 447-9071.
Staff photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN • Tri-Parish Times * Rock and Soul Revue vocalists belt out the chorus from “Baby, I Love You” during rehearsal at the South Louisiana Center for the Arts in Houma. Pictured is Nicholls State University student Angel Sigler, 16-year-old vocalist Mary Cutright and veteran vocalist Debbie Womack. The Rock and Soul Revue musicians strummed out chords from Baby, I love you during a rehearsal practice at the South Louisiana Center for the Arts in Houma. Pictured is Drummer Ernie Blanchard, Guitarist Pershing Wells and Bass Brian Theriot.
