Findlay, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2004 — The University of Findlay’s theatre and music programs will stage Shenandoah Feb. 18-21 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in the John and Hester Powell Grimm Theatre, Egner Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets for the Feb. 21 performance must be purchased through the Hancock County Chapter of the American Red Cross by calling 419-422-9322.

Shenandoah is a colorful and dramatic saga that revolves around widowed Charlie Anderson, a strong-willed Virginia farmer and father of six sons and a daughter. Despite his efforts to keep his family neutral during the War Between the States, they are inevitably swept up in the conflict when Charlie’s youngest son is abducted by Union forces. The Anderson’s story is a heart-warming and heart-rending portrayal of the tremendous upheaval of the American Civil War that left wounds on the land and the people.

The production staff for the show includes Micheal F. Anders, Ph.D., professor of music at UF, as producer/music director; Vicki McClurkin, lecturer of theatre, as stage director; Jennifer Bates, lecturer of dance, as choreographer; Joann Chase, lecturer of theatre, as make-up designer and assistant director; and Jerry Deall, assistant professor of theatre, as lighting and stage designer. Other production staff members include Jessica Leszkowicz, prop master; Kathy Newell, costume designer; J.J. Ladd, hair designer; Sharon Vaas, rehearsal accompanist; Kristy Funk, stage manager; and Jeff Dean, sound technician.

Cast members include Thurlow “Chip” Steffy as Charlie; Tim Mattis as Jacob; Greg Wozniak as James; Jaclyn Hilborn as Anne; James Baker as Nathan; Matt Dennis as John; Nikki Coe as Jenny; Kyle Kutchenriter as Henry; Ross Emrick as Robert; Kurt Aller as Sam; Seth Butler as Gabriel; and Bob Schirmer as Rev. Byrd.

Members of the men’s ensemble include Rob Bajek, Jeff Bensch, John Betts, Hugh Bowland, Ben Bracy, Adam Brannon, Benjamin Brown, Erik Christensen, Jim Conley, A.J. duFresne, Terry Emrick, Ed Erner, Larry Gifford, Matt Harris, Cliff Hite, Steve Huffman, Sean Kecskes, Chris Leitner, Jerry Mathern, Phil McClurkin, James Morris, Jeff Opperman, Martin Reno, Andrew Standeart, Nick Toland, Matt Waugh and Richard Wohlgamuth.

The women’s ensemble includes Chelsea Bibler, Jennifer Brown, Megan Christy, Andrea Coto, Christen Mathern, Cait Newell, Valerie Randolph, Chelsea Riggs, Courtney Roediger, Alli Shriver, Jamee Wetzel and Jodi Wurst.

Children’s ensemble members are Lucy Anders, Price Anders, Grace duFresne, Matt Foust and Brady Miller.

A “First Nighters” event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union Atrium. The speaker will be Murney Gerlach, executive director of the Rutherford B. Hayes Center in Fremont, Ohio, addressing “Social Aspects of the Civil War.” The lecture is free and open to the public.

Tickets for the show are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and students. Tickets are sold out, however, a waiting list is being kept. Call 419-434-4531 for more information.