The Nebraska Repertory Theatre presents a music-filled comedy with a huge heart when it opens its 2019-2020 season with “The Legend of Georgia McBride” by Matthew Lopez.
Performances are Oct. 2-13 in the Lied Center’s Johnny Carson Theater. For showtimes and ticket information, visit http://www.nebraskarep.org.
“’The Legend of Georgia McBride’ is about a young man discovering a new passion through some unlikely new friends,” said theatre senior Cullen Wiley, who plays in the ensemble and is the understudy for Casey/Georgia. “The message of the show is to not judge another person, and each person has a unique story to tell.
Casey is young, he’s broke, his landlord’s knocking at the door, and he’s just found out his wife is going to have a baby. To make matters even more desperate, Casey is fired from his gig as an Elvis impersonator in a small, run-down bar. When the bar owner brings in a drag show to replace his act, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business—and himself. Find out what happens when ‘The King’ becomes a queen.
“I love the story,” Wiley said. “I think this show handles some subjects that people are uncomfortable with, but they're handled with extreme love and care. I'm really looking forward to sharing this story with the audience, some who would never have interest in drag queens and kings.”
Elaine Stueve, a senior theatre performance major from Papillion, Nebraska, plays Jo.
“Jo is super down-to-earth and a very thoughtful person,” she said. “She also has a really big heart. She’s an overthinker and a worrier, but she balances out Casey, who is happy-go-lucky and doesn’t seem to worry about anything. She really loves Casey and supports him in following his dreams. He’s a huge part of her life, and he makes her really happy. . . . I see a lot of myself in Jo, which makes it easier for me to relate to her and her objectives and such. This is definitely the most challenging role I’ve had, but I’m learning a lot, and I’m very grateful to get the opportunity to play her every night.”
Maria Smal, a senior theatre performance and business dual major from Omaha, Nebraska, also plays in the ensemble and is the understudy for Jo.
“’The Legend of Georgia McBride’ definitely isn’t a ‘Why you should do drag’ stage commercial, but rather a story about finding yourself and finding what makes you happy, regardless of what other people think,” Smal said. “I love how down to earth this show is. Despite the sequins and lobster headpieces, it isn’t in-your-face about anything, really. I think that this is the perfect show and message for a place like Lincoln, Nebraska.”
The production is guest directed by Steve Scott, an artistic associate at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and was the Goodman’s producer until his retirement in 2017. His Goodman directing credits include “The Santaland Diaries,” “Ah, Wilderness” and “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”
He has directed productions at most of Chicago's professional theaters including Northlight, A Red Orchid, American Blues, Shattered Globe, Redtwist Theatre (where he is an ensemble member), and the Eclipse Theatre, where he is a 20-year company member and serves currently as interim artistic director.
“Steve is an incredible director to work with,” Wiley said. “He does a really great job of being collaborative and working with the actors, and really works from the inside out. He pays attention to every little detail and nuance and validates every single decision the actors make.”
Stueve describes Scott as “amazing.”
“Before starting the rehearsal process for this show, I was really intimidated to start working with Steve and the other Equity actors,” she said. “They all have much, MUCH more experience than me, and I was nervous about keeping up with them. However, from day one, Steve created an extremely safe rehearsal space, where I felt comfortable enough to explore acting choices and fail. He is extremely collaborative, and overall, just a fantastic director.”
Wiley, who was just recently accepted into the Disney College Program and will leave for Orlando in late January, is also enrolled in the Equity Membership Candidate Program, thanks to his work on Nebraska Repertory Theatre productions.
“I have been very fortunate to have been cast in several Nebraska Rep shows,” he said. “Working with Equity actors from New York, Chicago, etc., is such a unique opportunity most college students don't get to experience. By earning Equity Membership Candidate points, I am setting myself up for success post-graduation and starting my professional career early.”
Stueve is also enrolled in the Equity Membership Candidate Program and has been in three Nebraska Rep productions since starting college.
“I’ve gotten the opportunity to work with some super amazing and talented people, and I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “Something that is great about the Nebraska Rep is that college student actors get to work with professional Equity actors and professional directors. We learn a lot about the industry and get the chance to ask them questions about the professional world. We also get the opportunity to work with them in a professional setting which allows us to see what expectations are and what it’s like in the acting world outside of college.”
Smal said the Rep is a great way for students to expand their network.
“This is my third production with the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, and each time I have grown so much and learned priceless knowledge from the Equity members involved,” she said. “I’m moving to Los Angeles in just two short years, so being able to say that I already have ‘x’ number of Equity points gives me an incredible leg up.”
Wiley hopes audiences come to “The Legend of Georgia McBride” with an open mind.
“Audiences should expect to have a great time,” he said. “There is really something for everyone in this show.”
Stueve thinks audiences are in for a good production.
“Lots of costumes, lots of music, lots of laughs and lots of fun,” she said. “This show does a really great job of balancing out comedy and drama—the serious moments will sneak up on you."