The Hastings College Department of Theatre Arts presents Henry Fielding’s “The Tragedy of Tragedies; or the Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great” Thursday, April 29 – Saturday, May 1 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m. in Scott Studio Theatre.

The Box Office opened Thursday, April 22, and will remain open Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 general and $5 for seniors and non-HC students. Call (402) 461-7380 or e-mail tickets@hastings.edu.

In 1730, novelist and playwright Henry Fielding penned this farcical take on the legend. Intended as a parody of heroic tragedies, Fielding's Tom is a mighty, although tiny, warrior and conqueror of giants, as well as the object of desire for many of the ladies at court. The plot is silly and slight but in this new adaptation, blood and the jokes flow freely. This rarely staged classic comedy full of special effects is not for the faint of heart or humor.

Hastings College Professor Emeritus Darrel Lloyd will play the part of Scriblerus Secundus in this final production of the 2009-10 academic year. Over his 36-year career at Hastings College, Lloyd was a professor of English, and chair of the English department for seven years. The distinguished scholar of Irish literature received several honors over his academic tenure.

Production cast and crew are listed below. Students are listed by role and followed by their hometowns.

“The Tragedy of Tragedies; or the Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great”
With the annotations of H. Scriblerus Secundus
First acted in 1730 and altered in 1731
By Henry Fielding
Adapted by Jim Fritzler, Professor of Theatre Arts at Hastings College

CAST LIST
SCRIBLERUS SECUNDUS – Darrel Loyd, Hastings College Professor Emeritus
KING ARTHUR – Paul Martin, Doniphan, Neb.
TOM THUMB THE GREAT – Kyle Bell, Julesburg, Colo.
GHOST OF GAFFER THUMB - Thomas Olsen, Grand Island, Neb.
LORD GRIZZLE – Zach Oehm, Bellevue, Neb.
MERLIN – Kris Wilcox, Doniphan, Neb.
NOODLE – Blake Holen, Oxford, Neb.
DOODLE – Chris Work, Plattsmouth, Neb.
FOODLE – Franny Myers, Thermopolis, Wyo.
BAILIFF – Patrick White, Omaha, Neb.
FOLLOWER – Janet Dickey, Ft. Collins, Colo.
PARSON – Katti McNally, Loveland, Colo.
QUEEN DOLLALLOLLA – Danae Garfield, Aurora, Neb.
THE PRINCESS HUNCAMUNCA – Amanda Gasal, Sutton, Neb.
GLUMDALCA – Dillon Beede, Mitchell, Neb.
CLEORA – Beth Wilkins, Omaha, Neb.
MUSTACHA – Lindsey Wilkens, Castle Rock, Colo.

MUSICIANS
TENOR SAX – Myste Shyrack, Worland, Wyo.
FLUTE/ACCORDION – Devonee Thaxton, Aurora, Colo.
GUITAR – Joseph Browers, North Platte, Neb.
FRENCH HORN/ VIOLIN – Kelli VanMeter, Alliance, Neb.
TUBA – Ross Thomason, Plattsmouth, Neb.

STAGE MANAGER – Amy Kaestner, Gibbon, Neb.
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER – Scott Mclaughlin, Omaha, Neb.

DIRECTOR – Jim Fritzler, Professor of Theatre Arts
SCENIC DESIGN – George W. White, Professor of Theatre Arts, Chair of the Department
LIGHTING DESIGN – Katti McNally, Loveland, Colo.
COSTUME DESIGN – Margaret Marsh, Adjunct Instructor of Theatre and English
SPECIAL EFFECTS – Jeanine Simons, Bellevue, Neb.
PROPERTIES – Samantha Colbert, Weeping Water, Neb.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

Press Nights for this production are 7-10 p.m., Monday, April 26 or Tuesday, April 27. For more information, contact Jim Fritzler at 461-7348 or jfritzler@hastings.edu