Ark Valley News - ‘Lil' Abner’ big laughs

During dress rehearsal Nov. 17, Pappy Yokum (played by Casey Williams) hangs onto Abner (Evan Balthazor), who shows how strong he became by drinking Yokumberry Tonic. Mammy Yokum (Kaylee Love) smiles as she holds a bottle of the tonic.

‘Lil' Abner’ big laughs
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: November 20, 2014

Musical is new director's first at Valley Center High School

Even if Evan Balthazor had his druthers, he wouldn't be doing anything else this weekend.

"I like it," said Balthazor, who will play the title role in Valley Center High School's production of "Li'L Abner." "It's been really fun. I'm looking forward to show night."

"Li'l Abner," a cartoon-style musical based on the comic strip characters created by Al Capp, will be presented Nov. 21 and 22. Show time both nights is 7 p.m.

"People will definitely get a big laugh out of it," said Balthazor, a senior.

The musical, which has more than 50 student cast and crew members, is a comical and satirical glimpse into the lives of the small hillbilly, "unnecessary" town of Dogpatch. Residents there are forced to save their city when the government — encouraged by their conniving Sen. Jack S. Phogbound — wants to relocate its atomic bomb testing program to Dogpatch.

Zany antics ensue when Abner's Yokumberry Tonic, which makes him big and handsome, is sought by the greedy General Bullmoose (played by Corbin Oliverson) but had already been promised to the government as a way to save Dogpatch.

Meanwhile, the naïve and simple-minded Abner, much to the chagrin of his bossy Mammy (played by Kaylee Love), continues to unwittingly evade the relentless pursuit of Daisy Mae (played by Brittany Jo Curry), especially on Sadie Hawkins Day.

"I'm so excited for everybody to see it, like old and young, because it's just the best," Love said of the musical. "I love it."

"Li'l Abner" is the first production for new Valley Center High School director Megan Upton-Tyner.

Upton-Tyner (or "M-tut," as her students call her) replaced longtime VCHS director Kenny Carter, who retired last year.

"They're huge shoes to fill and I don't intend to fill them at all," Upton-Tyner said. "Making the transition from college to high school is something I've wanted to do for several years. It was finding the right time and the right fit, and Valley Center was crazy enough to give me a chance."

Upton-Tyner, who worked for Hesston High School for the past year and half, was technical director for Broadway at Bethel, a summer program for high school students that produces a full musical in just one week.

Upton-Tyner said this fall has been a learning experience.

"The students are just fantastic," she said. "Every day is something new, but every day I just feel so grateful to be coming into the classroom and working with the students."

Students said Upton-Tyner is focused and experienced and brings fresh ideas to the theater.

"She's been great," Balthazor said. "She knows what she wants, so it's nice to have that."

Upton-Tyner said her first VCHS musical will carry on some of Carter's traditions, such as a few well-placed inside jokes.

"There is a definite sense of fun," she said. "We are bringing a gift to the community. When I interviewed (for the job), that was something that Carter said, that he thought theater was a gift. And I almost teared up because that's how I feel, too. It's a fun group of students and we are excited about bringing this entertainment and gift to the community."

Upton-Tyner said Broadway at Bethel produced "Li'l Abner" twice during the past seven years, so she was familiar with the musical.

"We wanted to do something fun and wanted to do something that's going to be a crowd pleaser, and I think we picked the right one," she said. "…We're really hoping the audiences come and bring their families and just relax and enjoy it and laugh. It's hysterically funny."

Love said the musical should appeal to all ages.

"I think the younger kids are going to like it because it's so cartoony and goofy," she said. "I think for the older generation, I think it will be kind of cool for them to remember Li'l Abner."

The "Li'l Abner" comic strip ran from 1934 through 1977.

Tickets to the musical are available at the school or at the show.