libretto and music by FRANCES RAE KEY

DECEMBER 4-6, 10-13, 17-19 | 2009

MUSICAL | WORLD PREMIERE by Jacksonville composer, Frances Rae Key. Aussie Song relates the true-life story of Teddy Trager and her family. This poignant tale takes us from 1930s Australia, through World War II to the backwoods of Texas, and finally to right here in Jacksonville. Perfect family holiday musical with rousing tunes and an old-fashioned love story.

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directed by CARYL BUTTERLEY

musical direction by AARON MARSHALL  •  arranged by DANI DONADI
choreographed by WENDY SUGALSKI  •  stage managed by LISA ALBERT

featuring STACY WILLIAMS as Teddy Trager  •  BILL WHITE as Frank Trager  •  STACI COBB as Ann Trager  •  SAMANTHA MATHERS as Merle Trager  •  SHANNON LAHEY as Young Teddy Trager  •  MONTANNA JENKINS as Young Merle Trager  •  DAVID PAUL as Raymond Key  •  SUSAN J ROCHE as Mama Key  •  LINDSEY CATERSON as Verna Mae Key  •  RUSSELL THRIFT as Clemmy Key

with CARSON MERRY BAILLIE as Mother Elizabeth  •  DEBORAH HURM as Frances  •  MARGARET-ANN HOLMES HENNESSEY as Kelly  •  GRETTA L RUSSE as Headmistress/Mrs Wiggins  •  JUSTIN KENNEDY as Joey/Louie  •  CHRISTIAN NYMAN and DANIEL PRILL as Tom  •  JULIE GREEN as Sylvia/Sister Elizabeth  •  MARK ROBINSON as Captain/Announcer/Mr Clancy  •  SAMANTHA JENKINS as Lucie/Marie  •  DAVID BALDWIN as Jake/Duane

REVIEWS & ARTICLES

Dick Kerekes, EU JACKSONVILLE: “The four leads, Bill White, Staci Cobb, Stacy Williams and David Paul, who sang most of the songs were quite good and brought their years of stage experience to their roles… I don’t think ABET could have done any better than Caryl Butterley as Director, her expertise and patience coupled with Ms. Key’s rich and complex script, made this an interesting evening of theatre.” … READ FULL REVIEW

Tamara McClaran, SHORELINES: “My mother is well known by thousands of people in Jacksonville for her work in schools and with children… The show is based on hundreds of family stories I heard throughout my life.” … READ FULL ARTICLE