Hastings College Theatre puts audience in charge of avoiding dysentery in ‘The Trail to Oregon’
(Hastings, Nebraska) – “You have died of dysentery.” The iconic phrase from the classic Oregon Trail video game — and beloved internet meme — comes to life on stage as Hastings College Theatre presents its second musical of the season, “The Trail to Oregon.”
Follow one adventurous family as they journey across the Great Plains, battle the North Platte River, repair their Wago9000 and try their best to avoid that dreaded fate.
Packed with humor, puppetry and audience participation, this fast-paced musical lets the crowd help shape the story. From choosing the family’s names and hairstyles to guiding them toward the Willamette Valley, audiences become part of the fun as the travelers face villains, hunger and the hilarious chaos of life on the trail.
This show is produced by Alpha Psi Omega (APO), the theatre student honorary. It contains adult language and themes and should be considered to have a PG-13 rating.
Originally produced by StarKid Productions, The Trail to Oregon features music and lyrics by Jeff Blim, book by Nick Lang, Matt Lang, Brian Holden and Jeff Blim, and was originally arranged by Clark Baxtresser and Pierce Siebers.
Shows are Thursday, November 13 through Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. in Scott Studio Theatre (806 N. Turner Avenue).
There is no cost to attend any of the shows, instead a free-will offering for APO is encouraged. Tickets can be reserved by emailing tickets@hastings.edu. The house will open 30 minutes before each performance, and concessions will also be available.
“The Trail To Oregon” by Jeff Blim, Nick Lang, Matt Lang and Brian Holden
Director — Kathleen Lorenzen, instructor of theatre
Musical director — Maggie deFreese of Holdrege, Nebraska
Puppet master — Maxwell Blankenship of Queen Creek, Arizona
Costume and props designer — Maddie Kamler of Shickley, Nebraska
Cast
Father — Peyton Wallace of Bennett, Colorado
Mother — Maxwell Blankenship of Queen Creek, Arizona
Grandma — Morgan Ashcraft of Limon, Colorado
Daughter — Kaley Waite of Hastings, Nebraska
Son — Claire Jacobs of Norwood, Colorado
McDoon — Mahalia Jones of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Cletus — Saige Patocka of Brainard, Nebraska
Bartender — Claire Fuqua of Woodland Park, Colorado
Darla — Charlotte Lafler of Littleton, Colorado
General Store Guy — Jordan Parker of Omaha, Nebraska
General Store's Gal — Abbygayle Peeters of Limon, Colorado
Cornwallis — Hailey Gifford of Eagle, Colorado
Oxen — David Udlock of Castle Rock, Colorado
Musicians
Jason Jones of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Caspian Weeden of Pueblo, Colorado
Doodle Harris, Hastings College chaplain
Crew
Lighting Designer — David Udlock of Castle Rock, Colorado
Stage Manager — Abbygayle Peeters of Limon Colorado
Master Carpenter — Peyton Wallace of Bennett, Colorado
Scenic & Props Crew — Morgan Ashcraft of Limon, Colorado; and Sam Daeges of Omaha, Nebraska
Run Crew
Brooke Brockman of Elwood, Nebraska
Hailey Gifford of Eagle, Colorado
Daniel Graff of Fremont, Nebraska
Abby Hardesty of Lincoln, Nebraska
Claire Jacobs of Norwood, Colorado
Mahalia Jones of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Jason Jones of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Mindy Kamler of Schickley, Nebraska
Charlotte Lafler of Littleton, Colorado
Emma Mariel of Lexington, Nebraska
Vinnie Nunnenkamp of Hastings, Nebraska
Saige Patocka of Brainard, Nebraska
Abbygayle Peeters of Limon, Colorado
Ember Thoreson of Crystal Lake, Illinois
Kaley Waite of Hastings, Nebraska
Costume Construction
Miah Fox of Paxton, Nebraska
Claire Fuqua of Woodland Park, Colorado
Grace Hartman of Hastings, Nebraska
Emma Morelli of Thornton, Colorado
Maddie Kamler of Shickley, Nebraska
Box Office & Concessions
Casper Campbell of Columbus, Nebraska
Felix Harris of Bonner Springs, Kansas
Tessa Pedersen of Columbus, Nebraska
Halona Wooton of Friend, Nebraska
Michaela White of Florissant, Colorado