Opera East Texas

“BOOM” – A Musical about the East Texas Oil Boom

Script, music, and lyrics by Dr. Lottie L. Guttry
Kilgore High School Auditorium --Performances: March 8, 2008, 2 pm and 7:30 pm

Produced by Kilgore Historical Preservation Foundation to celebrate 20 years service to Kilgore
Directed by Liz Hedges Musical direction: Lottie Guttry

Synopsis of BOOM

The scene is Kilgore, Texas, a brand new boomtown in 1931. People of all sorts pour into town hoping to0 share the wealth of the oil discoveries. Old timers call the newcomers “boomers,” a derogatory expression since many of these folks were of questionable character. Because of the influx of criminals, the famous Texas Ranger Lone Wolf Gonzaullas came to clean up the town. Jim, a young man with some mineral deeds in hand arrives in Kilgore and meets Betty Sue, a charming girl from an old family. Her father objects strongly to her association with a boomer and encourages her marriage to Melvin, a hometown man. When he is mistakenly arrested by Lone Wolf, Jim loses Betty Sue’s respect, and she becomes engaged to Melvin. Later when Jim discovers Melvin running “hot oil,” a criminal activity, Betty Sue recognizes Jim’s moral fiber and follows her heart, thus joining boomers and old-timers in a joint venture leading to many milestones of excellence for the community.

Click on files below for music/audition information:

Synopsis of BOOM

Questionnaire & Character info.

Auditions poster

auditions-BILL-BETTY SUE - male/female

auditions-BILL-JIM - male

auditions-JIM & FARMER - male

auditions-TOM - male

auditions-JIM-BETTY SUE - male/female

auditions-JIM-MELVIN - male

auditions-JIM-OLGA - female

auditions-LONE WOLF-DRILLER-TOM - male