'Psycho Beach Party' to Take Stage at UNA Nov. 4-6, 11-13

Oct. 13, 2010

FLORENCE, Ala. – Set in 1962 on the sandy beaches of Malibu, Calif., a bubbly, innocent young woman named Chicklet wants to learn how to surf during a time when surfing was not considered a woman’s sport. Chicklet, who joins a group of surf bums led by Kanaka, begins slipping into multiple personalities, one of which is a seductive dominatrix.

Charles Busch’s 1987 play “Psycho Beach Party,” which will be performed at the University of North Alabama Nov. 4-6 and 11-13, explores the shenanigans that Chicklet and the other characters find themselves in as they come to discover what factors lead to Chicklet’s multiple personality disorder.

“This is a really fun update of the teen films from the 1960s for the young people of today,” said Dr. David Ruebhausen, associate professor of theatre and director of the play. “It’s a big, campy spoof of the mostly comic Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello movies of the 1960s.”

2003 UNA alumnus Daryl Crittenden, who starred in the television series “Heroes” and in the soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” will perform the role of Kanaka, the king of the surfers who tries to trigger Chicklet’s alter ego, a dominatrix named Ann Bowman.

Ruebhausen added that “Psycho Beach Party” will also include surfing and memory film projections and sequences with the help of assistant professor Jason Flynn and student in the UNA film and digital media program.

“The play is a really high energy, fun show that I think will have audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter,” said Liza Montgomery, a UNA student who will portray “Chicklet” in the upcoming production.

“Psycho Beach Party” will take stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4-6 and 11-13 in Norton Auditorium. General admission tickets are $5 for UNA students, faculty and staff and $10 for the public.

This play contains subject matter and language not suitable for some audiences.

For more information, contact Ruebhausen at druebhausen@una.edu or 256-765-4597.

The “Psycho Beach Party” production crew includes:

Bryan Becklean, of Muscle Shoals - Sound Designer

Matt Bryant, of Gallant - Set Designer

Jake Faulkner, of Tuscumbia - Prop Designer

Bryan Hall, of Tuscumbia - Technical Director

Luke Hunter, of Marietta - Sound Designer

Brittany James, of Russellville - Costume Designer

Tim Spearing, of Huntsville - Assistant Director

Clay Thomas, of Ardmore – Digital Media Artist

The “Psycho Beach Party” cast includes:

Summer Akers, of Florence - Luau Member

Brinna Brown, of Florence - Berdine

Sydney Buckholt, of San Francisco - Nicky/Sailor

Spencer Cantrell, of Alabaster - Starcat

Harrison Chambliss, of Homewood - Luau Member

Rance Czermak, of Florence - Miss Forrest

Katherine Hardiman, of St. Joseph - Berdine

Forrest Harlan, of Florence - Provoloney

Cydney Harper, of Birmingham - Dee Dee

Lesley Harper, of Madison - Marvel Ann

Luke Hunter, of Marietta - Luau Member

Russ Lawson, of Florence - Sailor

Andrew Maxwell, of Rogersville - Starcat/Kanaka Understudy

Liza Montgomery, of Florence - Chicklet

R.J. O’Connell, of Florence - Yo Yo

Haley Prestridge, of Jasper - Bettina Barnes

Max Raybon, of Tuscumbia - Luau Member

Josh Shuffield, of Fayette - Luau Member

Adam St. John, of Florence - Luau Member

Andrea Swafford, of Alabaster - Luau Member

Candace Williamson, of Florence - Luau Member