COLUMBUS, Miss.—Mississippi University for Women alumni, students and special guests will celebrate the more than 30-year career of William “Peppy” Biddy with “Last Call” Saturday, March 24 at 8 p.m.
“I hope for it to be a party, to be fun and happy,” said Biddy.
Forty-one former cast members and band members from Maine to Seattle are returning to Cromwell Theatre for the retrospective concert that will feature musical concerts from Biddy’s tenure.
A song from the first play directed by Biddy, “Godspell,” is among the acts to return to the stage. For the first time in three decades, six of the 10 original cast members will unite to perform.
The idea for the grand performance has floated in Biddy’s mind throughout his career. He would sit in the theatre and reminisce about performances and shows. He wondered what it would be like to experience them again. Now his dream is about to come true.
Biddy admits it has already been amazing to see alumni come together after 20-plus years. He said they still remember the words even though they changed the key to the songs. Though scattered across the nation, technology such as Facebook and Skype has allowed coordination and practices to occur in different time zones.
“Looking at the list and seeing how some have taken their training and extended into careers both far and wide… that’s cool,” said Biddy about planning the event.
The one and only show will be held in the Black Box Theatre, Cromwell Communication Center.
The professor and director of Graduate Studies will retire from the university at the end of May 2018. During his time at The W, Biddy has directed 41 shows and received the Kossen Award for Faculty Excellence, the Lowndes County Educator of the Year Award, IHL’s HEADWAE award and The Cowboy Maloney Award, the Mississippi Theatre Association’s highest honor.
Biddy holds a master of fine arts in theatre from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Mississippi. He has acted, directed or served as stage manager for the Dallas Theatre Center, Mill Mountain Theatre of Roanoke, Va., New Stage Theatre in Jackson and more. Biddy is a member of Actors Equity Association. He has served as production manager for the Sundance Institute’s Theatre Lab since 2000.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2018
Contact: Tyler Wheat
(662) 241-7863
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