Front row: Pamela Nowell (Cee Cee), Katerina Yancey (Dee Dee), Cheryl Carter (Gypsy Jane), and director John Holt. Back row: Kristen Williams Leclerc (Sara), Dylan Grey (Charlie), Melissa Kennedy (Miss Battleaxe), Jeff Krantz (Coach Ferguson). Photo by Rain Yancey Hupman.
Renaissance Theatre in Lynchburg, Virginia put on a staged reading of THE ARMADILLO QUEEN on June 25, and it was, well, spectacular.
Besides a fantastic cast, we had a full house. Every available seat was taken, and one latecomer had to stand. OK, admission was free, but still . . .
Also got great feedback from the audience:
“It’s funny.”
— Joe S.
“Super funny.”
— Alicia P.
“Twas fun – well done and well written. I’m so glad I got to see it!”
— Jennifer P.
And from the director himself: “Congrats again, Dwayne. Beautiful script and story.”
You can find the full gallery of photos here. Below are some highlights:
Sara and Charlie in costume. Sara is a punk girl from the city who has to spend her senior year in a small town in Texas. That’s Miss Battleaxe, the principal, in the background.
A rehearsal photo in civilian garb. Sara and Charlie wait out a tornado in the storm cellar. He’s quite relaxed.
Sara is terrified and lights up a cigarette.
The poor football coach has never won a game. In fact, the school hasn’t won in 99 years.
Our Greek chorus — Cee Cee and Dee Dee, two fans who turn out for every football game. Yes, that’s a flask. And armadillo hats.
Armadillo hats are hard to manage, by the way.
Gypsy Jane, the fortun-teller, in full regalia.
Pay attention to Sara’s cigarette. It’s key.
Gypsy Jane has a thing for junk food.
Sara and Charlie have very different reactions when they learned they’ve been named team mascots.
Charlie is very excited.
Charlie points out the highlights at the cow pie bingo event.
And yes, there are highlights.
Miss Battleaxe hovers over everything.
Yes, the fortune teller is armed.
The coach has grand plans.
More Sara being distraught. But there is a happy ending.
dwayneyancey 