Jeannie Allen

BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College's Succop Theater presents the musical drama "Esther" at 8 p.m. on June 29 and June 30.

Based on the Bible's Old Testament, Esther is the story of a young Jewish woman who became the Queen of Persia and stopped the impending genocide of her people in the holocaust.

The musical debuted in Butler County last month at the Mars Alliance Church starring Mary Phillips as Esther. Phillips is the daughter of the show's composer and writer Jeannie Allen, who also directed the performance with consulting director Larry Stock.

Allen, of Valencia, is a professional pianist, vocalist and teacher.

As an experienced songwriter with more than 100 original songs and four albums, Allen had her first experience as a musical director with "Esther."

Stock, who is the director of the Cultural Center at BC3, and Allen will co-direct the performance at the Succop Theater with stage set and costume designer Sandra Wahl.

The venue provides a much larger stage and allows for more advanced lighting, blocking, and choreography than at the church.

The show features a variety of original music, including operatic, jazz, Jamaican, Hebrew and three ballads, all written by director Allen.

Along with Phillips as Esther, the cast includes Sam Bartley as Mordecai, Jay Toogood as Haman, and Michael Roos as King Xerxes.

Admission is $10 and $5 for students.

Tickets are available online at bc3.edu or call the Succop Theater Box office at 724-284-8505 or toll-free 888-826-2829, Ext. 8429 for reservations or more information.