The Hallelujah Girls 2025
The Hallelujah Girls, by Jesse Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten
Directed by Stephen Buse, assisted by Jess Morris
Performance dates: June 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 2025
June 7: Dinner theatre -- just a few seats left! Doors open 5:45
June 8: 2pm Matinee with Talkback reception after the show
June 13 & 14: 7pm performances
June 15: 2pm Matinee
Hilarity abounds when the feisty females of Eden Falls, Georgia, decide to shake up their lives. The action in this rollicking Southern comedy takes place in SPA-DEE-DAH!, the abandoned church-turned-day-spa where this group of friends gathers every Friday afternoon.
After the loss of a dear friend, the women realize time is precious and if they're going to change their lives and achieve their dreams they have to get on it now! But Sugar Lee, their high-spirited, determined leader, has her hands full keeping the women motivated. Carlene's given up on romance, having buried three husbands. Nita's a nervous wreck from running interference between her problematic son and his probation officer. Mavis' marriage is so stagnant she's wondering how she can fake her own death to get out of it. And sweet, simple Crystal entertains them all, singing Christmas carols with her own, hilarious lyrics.
The comic tension mounts when a sexy, ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, a marriage proposal comes from an unlikely suitor and Sugar Lee's arch rival vows she'll stop at nothing to steal the spa away from her. By the time the women rally together to overcome these obstacles and launch their new, improved lives, you've got a side-splitting, joyful comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout "Hallelujah!"
Carlene Travis ........................................... Joy Fitzgerald
Nita Mooney ....................................... Chyenne Cornell
Mavis Flowers ................................................ Cindy Parks
Crystal Hart ..................................... Stacey Greenawalt
Sugar Lee Tompkins ................................... Jess Morris
Bunny Sutherland ...................................... Carol Morris
Bobby Dwayne Dillahunt ......... Vaughn Hardman
Porter Padgett .............................................. Alden Smith
Director ........................................................ Stephen Buse
Assistant Director ......................................... Jess Morris
Light Design .....................................
Light Tech ....................................................... Izzy Schwarz
Sound Design ...........................................
Sound Tech ........................... Codi Couch-Thompson
Mics .................................. Emersyn Couch-Thompson
Set design/construction ....... Stacey Greenawalt
CAST BIOS (in progress)
JOY FITZGERALD - Carlene Travis
Joy feels blessed to be back on the stage in this production. She previously directed THE MOUSETRAP earlier this year. In the two years since moving to Whitney, Joy has been involved in several shows both on the stage and in the booth. Joy traveled as a mime in her youth before becoming a theatre teacher. She has directed over 50 productions. Some of her favorites are LES MISERABLES, HAIRSPRAY, and DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST where she won awards for her costuming.
CHYENNE CORNELL - Nita Mooney
Chyenne is very excited to make her LWA debut in the role of Nita Mooney in the Hallelujah Girls! This has been a great experience for her. She has been in several plays throughout the years with other theatres. She currently works at a cafe outside of theatre, and hopes to continue to audition here!
STACEY GREENAWALT - Crystal Hart
This is Stacey's 20th production with LWA! WOOOO! She can still recite the soliloquies from her very first role, in her Honors English 1988 abridged production of Romeo and Juliet. Since then she has been actor, director, costumer, prop designer, scenic painter, and set designer, and has been nominated for several DFW theatre awards. Favorite roles include Lotty Wilton in ENCHANTED APRIL, Miss Hannigan in ANNIE, Ronette in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, both Yente and Fruma-Sarah in two different productions of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Christopher Wren in THE MOUSETRAP. More at StaceyGreenawalt.com
VAUGHN HARDMAN - Bobby Dwayne Dillahunt
Vaughn is back this year after performing as Giles Ralston in THE MOUSETRAP and directing THE OLD FAITH, HOPE, & CHARITY. Vaughn enjoys all aspects of theatre including acting, directing, lighting, sound, and set construction. He appreciates the new friends and fun he has experienced by being a part of Lake Whitney Arts. He especially appreciates the loving support of his wife who encourages his love for the theatre.
CAROL MORRIS - Bunny Sutherland
Carol feels honored to be part of this production. She most recently appeared in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, as well as A CHRISTMAS CAROL and FARCE OF NATURE. Carol also served as assistant director for THE MOUSETRAP and has contributed her talents backstage and in the booth. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and creative community.
JESS MORRIS - Sugar Lee Tompkins, Assistant Director
Jess is delighted to be part of this production, serving as both cast member and assistant director. She has most recently appeared at Lake Whitney Arts in THE MOUSTRAP (Mr. Paravacini) and THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (Grace Bradley), as well as THE ODD COUPLE, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and FARCE OF NATURE. Jess has also worked behind the scenes, both backstage and in the booth. She is incredibly grateful to be part of Lake Whitney Arts and this extraordinary community.
CINDY PARKS - Mavis Flowers
Cindy Parks has been involved in community theatre for over 40 years. She is a founding member of Lake Whitney Arts and Tin Building Theatre. Cindy has been seen on stage in over 150 shows, including STEEL MAGNOLIAS, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, WAIT UNTIL DARK, DAVID’S MOTHER, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, THE MATCHMAKER, ODD COUPLE (FEMALE VERSION), BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, and THE MIRACLE WORKER. She has directed many shows as well. Cindy would like to thank Steve and the cast and crew for this great show.
ALDEN SMITH - Porter Padgett
Alden Smith performed in several high school plays; during his college years, he played in the pit orchestra of GODSPELL. He has produced and co-directed several classical plays of Plautus and Sophocles and played Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT with the Armstrong Browning Players. HALLELUJAH GIRLS is his debut with Lake Whitney Arts.
STEPHEN BUSE - Director
Stephen is thrilled to direct this cast and crew of this extraordinary comedy. He has been in numerous roles and is honored to direct again. He would like to thank the cast, crew and all those volunteers who made this production possible. He especially thanks his wife and best friend Susie.