Please be aware this performance
uses haze and strobing lights.

“Be The Hero”
from Big Fish
Andrew Lippa
(b. 1964)

John August
(b. 1970)

Full Cast
Student Choreographer:
Hadley Speicher

SUMMARY: “Be the Hero” is from the musical
Big Fish, which was originally a movie,
but premiered on Broadway in 2013. The main
character Edward reflects on his life, while his
son Will struggles with what he believes are the
tall tales his father tells, but soon discovers that his
father was a remarkable man who loved
everyone he met in life.

WHY: The song “Be the Hero” fits
our cabaret so perfectly because what we
do as artists is tell stories. But more importantly,
we want to reflect a life well-lived in our stories
and our own lives and connect these
stories to those around us.

Monologue from Skid Marks:
A Play About Driving
Lindsay Price

Abi Hands

Summary: This show is a series of
vignettes and monologues combining the
fun and stressful stories of being on the road.

Why: This piece was a fun comedy that
I really enjoyed bringing to life in class
and I wanted to see it go farther.

“I Can Do Better Than That”
from The Last Five Years
Jason Robert Brown
(b. 1970)

Jordan Miller

Summary: The Last Five Years tells the story of
a couple, Jamie and Cathy, recounting their
entire five-year-long relationship and the ups
and downs that lead to their
eventual separation.

Why: I chose this piece because I love
this musical. I think it is beautifully written
and I understand Cathy’s want to be loved
and chosen by someone who values her.

 

“What Was Good Enough For You”
from Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical
Frank Wildhorn

Don Black

Ivan Menchell

Evan Tschetter and Elizabeth Yeley 

Summary: Bonnie & Clyde is a show that briefly
summarizes the life of the infamous couple
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, including
their story as a couple and
their upbringing.

Why: We chose to perform this song because
we both enjoy the show, and the song itself
is something that we can both, in our
own ways, resonate with.  

Scene from Anne of Green Gables
L. M. Montgomery (1874–1942)
adapted by Joseph Robinette

Sarah Marvin and RebeccaSue Wiles

Summary: Anne Shirley is a peculiar orphan girl
who goes to stay at Green Gables where she
finds her own family in the people who love her.

Why: I chose this piece because Anne is a very
special character to me; I have always related
to her and found her inspiring, and I wanted
to perform it with RebeccaSue
since she is one of my own bosom
friends and kindred spirits.

“Good Morning, Baltimore”
from Hairspray
Marc Shaiman
(b. 1959)

Scott Wittman
(b. 1954)

Chloe Ashley

Summary: Hairspray is an upbeat musical where a
teen in 1960’s Baltimore dances her way onto a
TV show and helps to break down racial
barriers while doing it.

Why: I chose this piece because Tracy is
such a fun character and I have dreamed
of getting the opportunity to be her in a
production of Hairspray for years.

“The Wizard and I”
from Wicked
Stephen Schwartz
(b. 1948)

Julia Condon

Summary: Before she becomes the
“Wicked Witch of the West,” Elphaba attends
college, where the school’s headmistress tells her
that her magical abilities could earn her a position
of power, at the right hand of the Wizard of Oz.

Why: There’s something special about a young woman
realizing the potential that her life holds. To me,
that is what “The Wizard and I” is about: a girl stepping
into adulthood and seeing, to her own surprise,
that her future is “unlimited.”

Scene from The Importance
of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde
(1854–1900)

Stephen Condon and Jordan Miller 

Summary: Jack believes he has put up a perfectly
innocent lie by convincing his friends
that his name is Ernest. But he will soon learn
just how consequential his storytelling can be.

Why: I (Jordan) chose this piece because I love
the way that characters constantly say absurd
things like they are facts. I think it’s hilarious.    

“The Ballad of Jane Doe”
from Ride the Cyclone
Jacob Richmond

Brooke Maxwell

Kendall Hawes

Choir: Elizabeth Yeley, Julia Condon, Abi Hands,
Hadley Speicher, RebeccaSue Wiles,
Chloe Ashley, Ellie Parks, Evan Tschetter

Summary: Ride the Cyclone is a darkly whimsical
musical about six teens competing for a second
chance at life after a fatal roller coaster accident,
with the haunting mystery of the unidentified
Jane Doe—and her soaring lament,
“The Ballad of Jane Doe”—serving as the
emotional centerpiece of the story.

Why: I chose this piece because I love the
musical fluctuation and how it reflects the
intense emotional depth Jane experiences
as she grieves herself and confronts her fear
of remaining unknown and forgotten.

Stand Up Comedy

Jordan Miller

WHY: Ever since I tried stand-up for the
first time in my sophomore year, I really fell in
love with it. I love sharing the gift of laughter with
people, and so, I hope you enjoy!

“Relativity”
from The Theory of Relativity
Neil Bartram

Brian Hill

Full Cast

SUMMARY: “Relativity”– from the musical
The Theory of Relativity – is about connection
and how each of us relates to one
another on this journey through life
and how we can’t do
it on our own.

WHY: I told the students that all the group
numbers this year (and our theme) for the cabaret
were about connection in some way. “Relativity”
might embody that idea the most, as it
reflects on the connection we need to have
with our fellow human beings in this world.

THERE WILL BE A
15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

“We Got the Beat”
from Head over Heels
Jeff Whitty
The Go-Go’s

Full Cast
Student Choreographer:
Chloe Ashley

SUMMARY: “We Got the Beat” is a classic 1980s
song by the Go-Go’s but has been put into a fun
up-beat musical called Head Over Heels
about rescuing a medieval kingdom and
its noble family.

WHY: This song gets to showcase our student’s
dance skills while also leaning into the idea
of connection through music and each other
as the words and dance moves illustrate!

Monologue from
Container of Sharks
Don Zolidis 

Ellie Parks

Summary: Container of Sharks shows Joyce Jones
giving a product pitch for her uplifting stickers,
called “Stick-it,” on the hit TV show, Container of Sharks.

Why: I chose this monologue because I love to
watch “Shark Tank” at 2 a.m.
and see people’s fun ideas!

“I Just Might”
from 9 to 5: The Musical
Dolly Parton
(b. 1946)

Patricia Resnick

Hadley Speicher, RebeccaSue Wiles,
Elizabeth Yeley

Summary: “I Just Might” places Violet, Doralee,
and Judy at an early crossroads, where each
woman—frustrated, underestimated, or lost—
tentatively admits that change might be possible,
revealing their shared dissatisfaction with their
circumstances and the emotional spark that
begins their transformation.

Why: We chose this song because it has such
a strong and powerful message, not only to
women, but to anyone who feels like they might
be at a breaking point. It offers hope in times
that might seem void of any. We are all so
important to each other, so this song means
a lot to us individually.

“I Am The One (Reprise)”
from Next to Normal
Tom Kitt

Brian Yorkey

Oliver Kelly and Evan Tschetter 

Summary: Next to Normal follows a family
navigating love, loss, and mental illness as
they struggle to appear “normal” while facing
deeply personal truths.

Why: We chose this piece because of its raw,
emotional intensity between Dan and
his son, Gabe. It really captures the heart
of the show, showing the pain and connection
between the characters in a powerful way.

 

Monologue from Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
(1564–1616)

Abi Hands

Summary: Recently married Juliet has just
learned that her husband, Romeo,
has killed her cousin and been banished for it.

Why: I have loved building my skills in
Shakespeare and wanted a chance
to perform for an audience.

“Right Hand Man”
from Something Rotten!
John O’Farrell
(b. 1962)

Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick

RebeccaSue Wiles

Summary: In Something Rotten!, “Right Hand Man”
takes place as Beatrice steps in to help
Nick save his failing career, asserting her
capability and devotion, while the song underscores
the central conflict between her practicality and
Nick’s prideful resistance to accepting her support.

Why: I chose this piece because I can
relate to the idea of wanting to be seen for the full value
of what you have to offer, outside of just what
other people perceive. Beatrice is such a strong
woman who truly cares about the people in her
family, and this role is one I would love to play
someday! Also, it’s Heidi Blickenstaff, so…

 

“She Used To Be Mine”
from Waitress
Sara Bareilles
(b. 1979)

Jessie Nelson

Hadley Speicher

Summary: This song comes from the musical
Waitress. The show follows Jenna Hunterson,
a talented pie-maker and waitress trapped in
an abusive marriage in a small Southern town.
Jenna dreams of a better life and finds hope through
a pie-baking contest, an unexpected pregnancy,
and a complicated romance with her doctor,
all while leaning on the support of her fellow waitresses.

Why: This piece holds a special place in my heart
because it was the first song I ever performed at MNU.
I originally performed it the summer after my
junior year of high school at SPARK camp.
I relate to this song on a very personal level
and love the opportunity to share pieces
of my story and heart though its
message and melody.

Monologue from Angel Street
Patrick Hamilton
(1904–1962)

Sarah Marvin

Summary: The show is about a woman whose
husband has ulterior motives in their marriage
and uses her family’s history of mental illness
to abuse her and convince her she’s insane;
it’s where the term “gaslighting” comes from!

Why: I chose this piece because it’s important to tell
stories that shed light on the dark parts of life,
and because the phrase “gaslight” is used so
much I think it’s enlightening to see its origin.

Scene from The Misanthrope
Molière
(1622–1673)

Jordan Miller and RebeccaSue Wiles

Summary: Alceste detests false flattery, but
Celimene heaps her praises on any man
she is near. When Celimene meets Arsinoe,
a rather prudish lady of high society, they
clash in a most appropriate manner.

Why: I chose this piece because I really enjoy
the back-and-forth fighting that Arsinoe and Celimene
have while still trying to be “polite” (and failing).

“I Am Adolpho” from The Drowsy Chaperone
Lisa Lambert (b. 1962)

Greg Morrison

Evan Tschetter

Summary: Our character “Aldolpho” has
been getting slandered, so Aldolpho goes
and finds the wife of the character
that has been slandering his name
and sings this song.

WHY: I chose this song because I think it
is a total blast to sing and is in a great spot
for my range and again it is a ton of fun to sing.

“Seasons of Love”
from Rent
Jonathan Larson
(b. 1985)

Full Cast

SUMMARY: “Seasons of Love” from RENT,
is a staple of American musical
theatre about a group of friends trying to make
it in New York City in the early 1990s while
struggling with disease, relationships, and economic hardships.

WHY: This is our third theatre cabaret, and we have
yet to perform this classic piece, but I couldn’t
think of a better closer to this year’s show all
about connecting with one another and
highlighting how we measure our life and love.

Pit:

Piano – Sarah Noé

Keyboard – Matt Richardson

Drums – Carlos Olivas

Guitar – Andrew “Drew” Speicher

Bass – Bill Wood (Thu. & Fri.) / Holly Wieneman (Sat.)

Production Staff:

Director – Heather Tinker

Music Director – Matt Richardson

Stage Manager – Abbey Prichard

Assistant Stage Manager – Glory Lin

Lights – Ellie Parks and Evan Tschetter

Spot Operator – Donald Chambers

Technical Director – Josiah Crandall

Costumes – Julia Condon

Props – RebeccaSue Wiles

Hair & Makeup – Kyleigh Tucker and Chesney Bailey

Sound Design – Sarah Marvin

Sound Engineers – Rodney Holley and Eli Whitacre

House Manager – Asa Light

Publicity – RebeccaSue Wiles, Ellie Parks, and Jordan Miller

Concessions available for purchase in the lobby.
Proceeds benefit the MNU Theatre Department.

 

Special Thanks:

Dr. Luke Johnson and the
Department of Arts and Humanities

Bell Center Staff

Support:

You may show your support of
our program in several ways.

Pray for our program and the positive
impact it can have
on students and audiences.

Recommend interested and talented
students to our program.

We are looking for students who have the
focus and drive to strive for excellence,
and then to apply in their careers what
they’ve learned as performing artists, spiritually
serving and positively impacting others.

MNU Theatre Statement of Purpose:

The MNU theatre department believes that
artistic creation is a reflection of God’s image
in us and an avenue through which truth
is revealed. We believe that theatre has
the power to uncover the complexities of the
human condition and to hold a mirror up to
both brokenness and beauty.

We pursue the art of storytelling as a means
of exploring redemption, trusting that every
narrative, whether tragic, joyful or downright
silly, can point toward God’s restoring work
in the world. Our commitment is to engage
with texts, performances, and ideas that
may challenge assumptions, stretch perspectives,
and spark dialogue rooted in
compassion and discernment.

We believe that theatre, when practiced
with integrity, is a place where faith and
creativity meet–where truth can be spoken
boldly, redemption can be embodied imaginatively,
and communities can be invited into deeper
understanding of themselves, one another,
and God’s ongoing story.