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GIVE OUR REGARDS: Rehearsing for the show are Jeff VanVickle (in front), and, from left, Kiel Fauske, Heidi Peterson, Kyla Browning, Jennifer Romriell, Fune Tautala, Jillian Wheeler, Jessica Waite, Maegan Cargill and Jennifer Sasser. (KENN WHEELER photo).

LA GRANDE - While you may not think spring is around the corner when you look out the window in La Grande, Eastern Oregon University theater students are confident that you'll be thinking "springtime" thoughts after you've seen their upcoming show. "Spring Into Broadway."

The musical variety show opening March 8 features songs from nearly 20 Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

It promises to have you smiling, laughing and humming its tunes as you leave the Schwarz Theatre on the EOU campus, says Production Director Kenn Wheeler.

"For the last couple of years we have presented our Broadway tribute at Christmastime," Wheeler says. "But this year, we thought it would be fun to present a springtime-themed show. And what does springtime mean to most people? Love!

"So this year our production is centered on the theme of ‘love.' And what do we do when we think of love?" Wheeler asks. "It makes us smile, and laugh and hum crazy tunes, exactly what you'll do after seeing our show."

"Spring Into Broadway" opens on March 8 and continues on March 9 and 10. It reopens on March 15 and plays through March 17. Curtain is at 8 every night with a 2 p.m. matinee each Saturday.

Eighteen talented performers will bring "Spring Into Broadway" to life. They hail from many parts of the Northwest, including Montana, Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon, and as far away as Illinois.

Cast members include Kyla Browning, Maegan Cargill, Kiel Fauske, Kenny Faust, J.J. Hill, Caitlin O'Brien, Heidi Peterson, Jennifer Romriell, Nick Romriell, Jennifer Sasser, Taylor Stanley, Tristan Stufflebeam, Fune Tautala, Jeff VanVickle, Jessica Waite, Renee Wells, Jillian Wheeler and Seth Yohnka.

Several faculty and university employees will be lending their expertise to the production as well. Besides Wheeler, theater faculty member Rob Kreps will be designing the lights. The university's Director of Major Gifts, Curtis Greenfield, serves as choreographer for the production. He brings years of previously unknown experience to the stage as he guides the performers through their terpsichorean paces.

This year the proceeds from the production will be used for a special purpose, Wheeler explains.

"All of the money earned from this show will be placed in our scholarship fund to help returning students cover the rising cost of their education," he says. "We have also had a gracious patron who has agreed to match a portion of the proceeds in order to help out EOU theater students even more. We are really excited about this new source of scholarship money and hope to continue it in the future. So every ticket that audience members will purchase helps someone stay in school. I think that makes this event special."

Shows represented in "Spring Into Broadway" include such Broadway classics as "Kiss Me Kate," "Guys and Dolls" and "The Pajama Game" as well as songs from current Broadway hits such as "Hairspray," "Spamalot" and "Avenue Q."

The cast is also performing numbers from what are called "Off-Broadway" productions that have a popular appeal. They include "Dames at Sea" and "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."

Says Wheeler, "You'll find something for everyone in this show. This will be a fun evening for the whole family."

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the EOU Theater box office. Reservations can be made by calling 962-3757.

So while it may not look like spring outside, you can start to get into the "springtime" mood by checking out the EOU theater production and chase away the winter blues.