"Ruby Rose Rides Again"
Opens October 5th At
Texas A&M-Commerce
And Features Hopkins County
Performers
by: Bobby McDonald
Get your boots shined and "lasso" over to Commerce for the opening of "Ruby Rose Rides Again," a musical comedy/drama that features Hopkins County residents, Lou Ann Petty, of Cumby, and Amanda Thompson, of Sulphur Springs. The production is based on the book and lyrics of playwright Jim Tyler Anderson and features a plethora of East Texas colloquialisms and language that only "folks" from this area would truly understand. Follow the "trail" of aging singer and radio personality, Ruby Rose Lassater, as she gets ready to "hang up her boots" from doing the radio show. But, she must perform one last farewell performance and calls in all of her family, and her beloved "Dutch Oven Drovers Band," to aid her in bidding her fans farewell.
Ruby's daughter, Iris, played by Lou Ann Petty of Cumby, joins the "Dutch Oven Drovers" and
sings for her mother's farewell performance.
Cumby resident, Lou Ann Petty, performs a list of songs and helped to write the music and lyrics for the musical, along with her husband, Johnny Petty. You're sure to enjoy the Country and Western flair to the soundtrack and "tap your foot" to the beat of the rhythmic wonders of the music. Ken Dickinson, Celia Stogner, Christy Greiser, and Professor Harry Fullwood, make up the "world famous" Dutch Oven Drovers Band, as they play the characters of Delbert Wayne, Deborah Lou, Doris Jean, and Donny Joe (You can't get much more East Texan than those names!).
Sulphur Springs junior, Amanda Thompson, relishes her role as "Rosanna La Rue," Ruby's
rebellious granddaughter and daughter of Iris. Will she be a singing sensation?
A cast of talented actors and the humor of such antics as the radio program being sponsored by "Coyote Chili," and requiring an amusing "coyote howl," makes the performance a wonderful way to spend an evening of enjoyment.
Star of the Show........is veteran performer and Texas A&M University-Commerce Instructor,
Professor Anne Bomar, as Ruby Rose Lassater, in her farewell performance. Bomar plans to
retire from the stage, following this remarkable role.
The cast list includes:
Ruby Rose........Anne Bomar, Commerce
Iris La Rue.............Lou Ann Petty, Cumby
Rosanna La Rue.........Amanda Thompson, Sulphur Springs
Ramon.................Brandon Burns, Commerce
Archer.............Rob McWorter, Commerce
Young Ruby Rose.......Katie Townsend, Commerce
Drovers:
Delbert Wayne........Ken Dickinson, Commerce
Deborah Lou.......Ceilia Ann Stogner, Commerce
Donny Joe.........Harry Fullwood, Commerce
Doris Jean..........Chrisy Greiser, Commerce
"Ruby Rose Rides Again" is directed by Gary Burton and promises to be a well rehearsed production, with loads of entertainment.
Playwright Jim Anderson, left, discusses dialogue with director, Gary Burton, as they watch rehearsals
of "Ruby Rose Rides Again."
Directors, cast members, and crew have pledged a superior performance in honor of Richard Vick, a member of the stage lighting crew, who was injured in a fall during one of their practice sessions last week. Vick was seriously injured and remains in Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, but continues to improve. "He's in our every thought and prayer, as we rehearse this production, and all of us want to make the performance that much, more special to honor him," stated Jim Tyler Anderson, author of the play.
Brandon Burns, of Commerce, and Amanda Thompson, of Sulphur Springs, share a "tender" moment
as Ramon and Rosanna, on the front porch of the "Ruby Rose Rides Again" set.
Iris, played by Lou Ann Petty of Cumby, chastises her aging mother, Ruby Rose, played by Anne
Bomar, of Commerce, as the two discuss action in the comedy/drama, "Ruby Rose Rides Again."
Tickets for the performance at the Texas A&M University-Commerce Playhouse can be obtained by calling the box office, at (903)886-5900. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m., October 5-8. There will be a Sunday matinee performance at 3:00 p.m., on October 9th. Price of the tickets are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for senior citizens, and $3.00 for children and students.
"Ruby Rose Rides Again" is primary entertainment for the entire family and features outstanding performances by local talent.
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