• from the Sul Ross Theatre Program •

The Theatre of the Big Bend celebrates rock and roll with its 53rd season summer musical, Smokey Joe’s Café.  Performances will be held weekends, July 6-29, in the Kokernot Outdoor Theatre with the curtain going up at 8:15 p.m.

Directed by Dona W. Roman, Sul Ross State University professor of theatre, Smokey Joe’s Café features 40 songs by the prolific songwriting team, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.  Songs include Hound Dog, Kansas City, Ruby Baby, Poison Ivy, and Yakety Yak.

“This is the music I grew up with,” said Roman.  “These were the hits playing on the radio when I came home from school, and I even watched the original groups perform on TV shows like Hullabaloo, Shindig, and American Bandstand.

“Listening to albums was a communal experience, and this show captures that.  There is no plot.  It’s a musical revue, and the show will really test the talents of our musicians.  Leiber and Stollers’ songs will definitely nudge the audience to get up and dance to the oldies, and we heartily encourage that,” she laughed.

Musical direction is provided by Donald Callen Freed, Sul Ross professor of music, and guest artist Ruben Gutierrez.  The revue is choreographed by Marjorie Scott, assistant professor of communication and theatre.

Tickets are on sale at www.sulross.edu/tobb or call 432-837-8218.