The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre and Ferrum College Theatre Arts performed No, No, A Million Times No from October 19-22 in the Rex Stephenson Theater.
Stephenson was inspired to put on this production because he was exposed to the early era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries by both of his grandfathers. They worked at the Wysor Grand Theater in Muncie, Indiana. “I was excited to bring a musical that is reflective of that period. We have taken a few liberties to create a piece more enjoyable to a modern-day audience,” he said.
The musical can be described as a wildly hilarious old time melodrama with music. The evil city fella lures Nellie Quackenbush, the innocent farmer’s daughter, to the big city for the purpose of wedlock. When Nell gets there, she senses he “won’t do right by Nell” and flees back to the arms of her country sweetheart, Noble Hart.
Cast members included Ferrum College students and members of the community.
During intermission, Orchestra Appalachia performed an olio to showcase their multi-talents, a popular 19th and 20th-century tradition.
Ferrum College junior Emily Walker who played Della appreciated being a part of the production. Not only did she act, but she was also on the build crew and was a part of the olio feature with Orchestra Appalachia. “I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There’s an old saying, ‘There’s no business like show business,’ and that’s about how I feel about it,” Walker said. “There’s nothing that compares to the feeling of being under those stage lights,” she said.
The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre and Ferrum College Theatre Arts announced on Wednesday, October 25 that Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas will be their winter show. Performances will take place from December 5 until December 17. Tickets are available to purchase here.
The Flickr album is available to view here.
