Bradford Little Theatre has a very talented cast lined up for their Feb. 9 and 10 production of “JAWS the Musical.”

“We have show veterans as well as some new faces in this year’s ‘must see musical comedy.’  It’s great to see so much talent coming from right here in the area,” said musical director John Kearns. “I’m very excited to be working with this cast. We have been hard at work for a few weeks now and great things are coming together nicely.”

The cast will perform creative numbers combined with comedic dialogue as they closely follow the storyline from the 1975 popular thriller movie.

Playing the part of Chief Brody is Allegany, N.Y. resident Barry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has been in several shows including Kiwanis Kapers and BLT’s Music Man, Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding and most recently Veronica’s Room.

Playing Chief Brody’s supportive wife Ellen, will be Connie Shanks and his supportive Deputy Lucy, will be Linda Lamborn, both from Bradford. Shanks has performed several times for BLT including Harvey and The Awesome 80’s Prom. Although Lamborn has has sung for several years with church and community choirs, this will be her debut performance with BLT.

The Shark will be played by Andee Higley from Bolivar, N.Y.

“Andee was in the first BLT show I ever directed six years ago,” stated director Kristin Asinger,  “she played the bossy bride in the comedy dinner theater show ‘I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning.’”

Playing Chief Brody in JAWS the Musical in 2014, seasoned actor David Merwine will now be playing shark scientist, Matt Hooper this time around. Merwine teaches at Pitt-Bradford and in his spare time, he’s on stage in numerous community theatre shows in both Bradford and Olean.

Experienced shark fisherman solely known as Quint, will be played by musical director, John Kearns of Bradford. This is his second time as musical director for BLT and in the past, he has performed in BLT’s “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Stay As Dead as You Are” and “12 Angry Men.”

Playing the part of Mayor Vaughn will be stage veteran Chris Lathrop. He has performed in every Kiwanis Kapers since 2003 and in several BLT shows including Shrek the Musical. Mayor Vaughn’s pushy sidekicks, the “Mayorettes” will be played by Bradfordians Jessica Ann Coder and newcomer Taylor Hill. Coder has been involved in several BLT productions, both on stage and stage crew. Coder and Hill will double as the characters Chrissie and Alexis who both get eaten by the great white shark.

Rounding out the cast as Amity Island residents are Barb Pedersen,  Dave Geitner, Mike Clark and Lewis P. Keller Jr. Pedersen will be playing Mrs. Kintner whose daughter gets eaten by the shark and has a duet with Chief Brody in the song “My Girl is Gone.” Pedersen has been active in community theatre for several years and has a lot of vocal experience. Geitner will portray Amity Island businessman and grouchy old man, Bad Hat Harry. He has been in BLT’s productions of The Music Man, Awesome 80’s Prom and Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding. Clark is a newcomer to BLT and will be playing Polly the Reporter. He is well-known for being one of the Kiwanis Kapers Kuties. Keller will play Tom, a guy who enjoys the beach and loves to party and yet, isn’t so sure why the girl he likes and his dog both disappear in the water.   

The show will be held on Feb. 9 & 10 at the Limestone Community Center, 616 Main St., Limestone, N.Y. Tickets for the show are $30 and include the famous Limestone VFD fish fry, one drink, and the show. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner, drinks, raffles and games prior to the show.

The show’s proceeds benefit Bradford Little Theatre and the Limestone VFD. Tickets are available at Togi’s Family Restaurant, Graham Florist, and Bella Capelli in Bradford and Limestone’s Firemen’s Club in Limestone, N.Y. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bradfordlittletheatre.org or by calling Chelsea Place at 814-598-9956.

Groups of 6 or more are encouraged to call Place so that seating arrangements can be reserved for the group. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door if available, but people are urged to buy ahead as this show is highly anticipated. BLT season ticket holders are asked to call and reserve their tickets for the night they wish to attend.