The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces the cast and crew for "Li’l Abner,” the organization’s final production of the 2007-2008 season, which is sponsored by The Stefanie H. Weill Charitable Fund and Acuity for the Arts.

Bringing to life all the zany characters and crazy shenanigans created by Al Capp in his long-running cartoon strip, "Li’l Abner” features a book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank. Centered on the attempt of Daisy Mae to win the heart of her true love, Abner, the show has not one moment of seriousness, filled as it is with silliness and hillbilly humor. But what more could one expect, considering that the setting is Dogpatch, USA, which is populated by characters like Moonbeam McSwine, Earthquake McGoon, Available Jones, Stupefyin’ Jones, Evil Eye Fleagle, Mayor Dawgmeat and Marryin’ Sam? But the show also has a whole slew of fabulous, toe-tapping songs with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Gene de Paul.

In the title role is Zack Pledl, fresh from “Clue,” while Brenda Sinnen last seen in “Cheaper by the Dozen,” plays Daisy Mae. Samantha Lin Pool, also in “Clue,” is Marryin’ Sam, while Dee Paepke, not seen since “The Sting,” is Mammy Yokum and Jim Wucherer, who appeared in “Miracle on 34^th Street,” is Pappy Yokum. The villains of the piece are Mitch Birkey as General Bullmoose and Michael A. Eberhardy as Earthquake McGoon. Jeff Kelm is Senator Phogbound, Chris Fontaine is Dr. Finsdale and Eileen McCormick is

Appassionata Von Climax.

Prominent citizens of Dogpatch include Neil Beaton, Ben Buchanan, Jonathan Block, Casey Campbell, Ellen Cheney, Russell Franzen Jr., Connor Giles, Clark R. Kirst, Brian M. Leffin, Sarah Pittner and Holland White. Their neighbors include Jackie Blindauer, Michael Covey, Tegan Hermann, Ben Johnson, Jim Johnson, Susan Chambers Johnson, Angel Landgraf and Tiffany Merriman. Joel Pence, Sean Philipps, Elizabeth Plotka, Tamara Richelle Pool, Danielle Rammer, Jennifer Schleinz, Casey Stapel, Sara St. Thomas, Heidi Weinaug, C. Hope White, Alexandria Wickland, Sydney Wickland and Christy Zimmermann complete the large cast.

Directed by Ralph Maffongelli and choreographed by Veronica Hilke with assistance by Eileen McCormick, " Li’l Abner" will feature musical direction by Janice Westphal. The sets have been created by the Theatre Company's resident technical director/designer, Dustin L. Uhl, while Rick Klein has designed the lights and Bernard J. Markevitch the costumes. The make-up designer is Bobbi Schad, while Nan Gibson and Jackie Blindauer are properties masters and Dave Steinmeyer and John Wartke are sound designers. Lee J. Schneider is master carpenter, Colleen Bertram is master painter and Scott Landgraf, Jr. and Olivia Dorsett are master electricians. Assisted by Katy Ries, the stage manager for the production is Shari Roehl.

Sponsored by Werner Homes, " Li’l Abner" will open Friday, May 23, and be performed each evening through Saturday, May 31, with the exceptions of Sunday and Monday. There is also a matinee on Sunday, May 25. The production will be presented at the completely handicap accessible Leslie W. Johnson Theatre, 2820 Union Avenue, Sheboygan, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Admission is $20.00 for adults, $16.00 for seniors sixty and over and $10.00 for youngsters through high school and college students. Tickets are available at the Theatre Company office in the Community Recreation Department, 607 S. Water Street, or at the theatre box office 45 minutes before curtain of each performance. To learn more visit www.sheboygantheatercompany.com and then call 920/459-3779 to reserve tickets or for further information.