ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010077
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PAUL DELLINGER
Tony Ray Hicks, a former Virginia Highlands Community College student, has gone on to a career that includes Barter Theatre and Broadway.
From Friday-Sunday, he will return in a musical revue titled "Back Home With Friends" with performances at 8 p.m. on the first two days and 2 p.m. on the third day. Admission at the door will be $10 for adults and $5 for students, with proceeds going to the Tony Ray Hicks Theatrical Scholarship at the college.
"Virginia Highlands Community College has played such a major role in my life through its theater and music programs,'' he says. ``This is my way of saying thank-you.''
Performing with Hicks will be Judy Marshall, Glen Patterson, Cassie Miller, Becky Jones, Travis Butterworth, Susan Buckner and the Virginia Highlands Choir. The other performers include former students and others with whom Hicks worked in area productions when he was a student.
Hicks, from the Mendota community in Washington County, was a designer and assistant at Barter in Abingdon. He also worked at Theatre Bristol. After leaving Virginia Highlands, he earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Since then, he has been director and choreographer at Snow Camp Historical Theatre, appeared in the film "Dead Inn" along with a number of television commercials, and been involved with wardrobe, costume design, choreography or directorships for a number of Broadway plays. He has developed a one-man show titled "An Evening With a Dresser."
"During the musical revue, our performers will be dressed like you would see the actors and singers at Broadway," said Beth Smith, professor of music at the community college. Further information is available by calling 628-6094, extension 222.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB