'Smokey Joe's Cafe' celebrates the '50s and '60s at Wichita State

Wichita State University's School of Performing Arts presents the musical revue "Smokey Joe’s Cafe," 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 24-26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, in Wilner Auditorium.

“Smokey Joe’s Cafe” features the legendary 1950s and 1960s music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, “Jailhouse Rock,” “Stand By Me,” “There Goes My Baby,” and “On Broadway.” Opening in 1995, it was the longest-running musical revue on Broadway with 2,036 performances. The original Broadway cast recording won a Grammy Award in 1996. Audience members will take a high-energy trip down memory lane and are invited to snap, clap and groove to the beat.

Associate Professor of Musical Theater Amy Baker Schwiethale is directing and choreographing the show, with musical theater major Jennie Hughes serving as assistant director. Musical direction is by School of Performing Arts alumnus Phil Taylor. The cast features nine musical theater majors: Keshana Cook, Da’Merius Ford, Dylan Harris, Brittnee Hill, Amanda Huehl Phillips, Deiondre Teagle, Melvin Thampy, Madi White and Naaman Williams.

The design team for “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” includes associate professors David Neville (set) and Ed Baker (technical direction); Assistant Professor Cate Wieck (costumes) and her assistant designer Elizabeth Eckrote, an English major pursuing a Film Studies certificate; student design and technical theater majors Alyce Murphy (lights), Marlo Griffith (sound); theater performance major Veniese Razo (production stage manager) and theater major Madison Bishop (assistant stage manager).

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Fine Arts Box Office in the lobby of the Duerksen Fine Arts Center or online at wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. General admission is $16, with $14 discount tickets available for seniors or $6 tickets for faculty/staff, military, children and students. WSU students are eligible for one free ticket (not available online, see http://bit.ly/14iFjSS for details). For ticketing assistance, please contact the Fine Arts Box Office 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 316-978-3233 or fasttickets@wichita.edu.

KMUW is the media sponsor for the show.