Repertory Theatre of the Ozarks (RTO) opens its 2009 season with a Benefit Concert for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital of Memphis, Tenn. Saturday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at the former Oregon County Country Music Theater at 420 Walnut in Thayer, Mo.

The membership will turn out for a high energy musical revue starring Sunny Aaron, Larry Price, Mariann Hyslop, Mary Bruning, Hannah McMillin, J.R. Briggs, Felicia Jennings, Warren Apel, Lacy Cozort, Paul Hennessey, Charlotte Curtis, and introducing Jordan Burgett.

The repertory company is hyped up for this season opener and is putting on a classy mix of pop, rock, country, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Dylan.

Sunny Aaron — the best Elvis tribute artist in the Ozarks including Nashville — will present Vegas and country and always has someone new to show us. If Garth Brooks songs are your favorites, Larry Price, our king of country, will be on hand to sing a few including “Oasis.” Larry will also cover some Randy Travis, including “Diggin’ Up Bones” for this show.

The girls of RTO are ready to sing the blues, rock you and make you cry. Hannah McMillin of “Cats” is back all grown up and rocking out with Miley Cyrus and her alter ego Hannah Montana. Mariann Hyslop is back with “Black Velvet” as only she can sing it, “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and will team up with Larry Price for a little touch of “Fever.” Felicia Jennings will team up with Warren Apel covering a Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock hit, “Pictures.” Another “Cats” star back with us is Mary Bruning who wails “Delta Dawn” and “When He Was On The Cross.” Lacy Cozort covers “Love Story” and “Don’t Forget to Remember Me.” Charlotte Curtis does a little Ann Murray. Newcomer Jordan Burgett gives us “High School Musical.”

The RTO guys — J.R. Briggs, Warren Apel, Paul Hennessey, Larry and Sunny — rock us and sock us and take us to dreamland. J.R. turns out with “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Behind Blue Eyes.” He also teams up with Hannah with their cover of “Ready Set Don’t Go.” J.R. just got back from an “America’s Got Talent” audition in Chicago, where he covered Dylan’s “Knockin” On Heaven’s Door.” (Actually, two more RTO members made it to the Chicago “America’s Got Talent” audition, Felicia Jennings and Lacy Cozort.) Paul Hennessey will explain and recite another Bob Dylan song for us, “Love Minus Zero, No Limit.”

Saturday night the RTO cast will be turning it on for the kids of St Jude. Come out and see us. We will light up the night!

Tickets are on sale at the door: Adults $8, Students $4. Half of every ticket sale will be donated to St Jude through K-Kountry 95. For more information, call (870) 937-4235 or (417) 264 –3400, or E-mail rtozarks@yahoo.com

RTO is a non-profit regional community theatre organization, formed in 2003 and promoting live theater and live music.

To find us, take Hwy. 63 to the McDonald’s stop light in Thayer, Mo. Turn left if you’re coming from the South or right if you’re coming from the North. Cross the bridge and go three blocks.