Hannah Foster (center), who shares the role of Becky Thatcher with Bailey Brown, is flanked by Cody Summerville (left) as Huck Finn and Taylor Worthing as Tom Sawyer.

HCCT opens it's traditional summer musical, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, on Thursday, August 5th with a sold-outgrand gala party-buffet.The box office reports that tickets are in high demand for the 14-show production (Aug. 5-22)

This is Mark Twain's classic brought to exuberant life. It is the irresistible story of a 14-year-old boy in 1840 Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River. Tom matches wits with Aunt Polly, whitewashes a fence, gets into general mischief with best friend Huckleberry Finn and falls in love with Becky Thatcher. Along the way, we meet the terrifying Injun Joe and all the other boys and girls in the village of St. Petersburg, MO.

The cast is made up of more than 20 boys and girls, many of them marking their debut performances in this production. Taylor Worthing of Marble Falls plays Tom, making his debut on the boards at HCCT. He attends Faith Academy where he is a 9th grade student. You may have seen Taylor in one of his many performances either at Faith Academy or at Harmony School of Creative Arts.

The role of Becky Thatcher is played by Hannah Foster, and Bailey Brown ,both of Marble Falls. Thirteen-year-old Hannah says she's been acting since she can remember. HCCT audiences will remember her from last year's hit musical The King & I .

Cran Dodds, Guest Director for "Sawyer" is a drama teacher from Corsicana, TX.

Fourteen-year-old Bailey Brown is a popular regular at HCCT. Her resume of productions includes A Christmas Carol, Wizard of Oz and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Hannah and Bailey also share the role of Amy Lawrence in the show.

Huckleberry Finn is played by Cody Summerville of Marble Falls. Cody is no stranger to performing and the arts but is making his debut at HCCT . He is a 7th grade student at Marble Falls Middle School.

Among the very talented adults on the stage, you will also see a few new faces mingled with those who might be considered seasoned veterans. Beverly and Ken Foster, parents of Hannah, fill the roles of Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher, while their younger daughter Kennah is a precocious schoolkid. Sharon Sembera of Spicewood appears as a townswoman with her son and daughter.

Stage regulars(Ronda) Dale and Preston Kirk of Lakeside portray townswoman Hartley Wood and the fiery Rev. Joshua Sprague, respectively. Outstanding character actors Mark Fernandes of Marble Falls plays the fierce Injun Joe, while Kevin Poole is Muff Potter, and Kevin's wife Cindy portrays the Widow Douglas.

Stage Manager for the production is Sallye Johnson of Granite Shoals. Props Manager is Mary Rose Ortel of Horseshoe Bay. Heading up the team for costumes is area newcomer Ruth Gilchrist.

Guest Director for the

Original woodcut illustration from the Twain novel shows Becky and Tom with their teacher's book of poems.

production is Cranston (Cran) Dodds. Cran currently teaches school in Corsicana. He received his theatre degree from the University of North Texas. Cran was Staff Director at the famed Casa Manana Theatre in Fort Worth. A playwright, his scripts have been performed at many universities, including Duke, Clemson, Rice and Mississippi.

The play will run Aug.5-22 with shows at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and with Sunday matinees at 2:15 p.m. The box office can be reached by calling 830-798-8944. The theatre is located at 4003 W. FM 2147 in Cottonwood Shores.

Girls in 509 Audition
Auditions for next season's opening production The Girls In 509 will be held on Monday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the theatre. Roles are available for nine men and three women. Individuals interested in auditioning should prepare a one-minute comic monologue and be prepared to read from the script. Rehearsals begin Aug. 23 and production dates are Sept. 30 through Oct. 10.

Everyone, regardless of experience is encouraged to try-out. Scripts are available at the theatre for early check-out. For more information please call 830-693-2474.

For volunteer opportunities (box office, costumes, make-up, props, lighting, set building and painting), please call Jennifer Jones at 830-693-2474 or visit us online at www.hcct.org.