The “natural born females” of Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s upcoming production of PAGEANT are not easy to embody- it takes a special type of cast to make these beauty queens come to life. Luckily, we’ve assembled the perfect group for this side-splittingly funny production. Today, meet Tanner Lee Hanley, James Michael Avance, and Sheridan McMichael!
Tanner Lee Hanley
Miss Texas
Where are you originally from?
Dallas, Texas
What shows have you previously performed in with Lyric?
BYE BYE BIRDIE, SWEET CHARITY, CALL ME MADAM
Why should Miss Texas take home the title of Miss Glamouresse?
She has been working for this her entire life! She is convinced she is going to win.
What’s your favorite part of this show?
The cast and our creative team. Rehearsal is a blast.
So far, what has been the most challenging part of the rehearsal process?
Tapping and dancing in heels.
What excites you about performing in this show?
As a male actor, it’s not often that you get the chance to take on a female character. It has been the most exciting and challenging part of this show- aside from the 5 inch heels.
Fess up- if you were in a real beauty pageant, what would your talent be?
I love to dance. But I wish I could do something awesome, like fire batons!
James Michael Avance
Miss West Coast
Where are you originally from?
I’m originally from Muskogee, Oklahoma .
What shows have you previously performed in with Lyric?
Several shows! ALTAR BOYZ, MONY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID, OKLAHOMA!, EVITA, SINGIN IN THE RAIN, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ONE and 2, THE PRODUCERS, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and 42ND STREET.
Why should Miss West Coast take home the title of Miss Glamouresse?
I should take the crown because I’m innocent of heart and proud to be an American!
What’s your favorite part of this show?
My favorite part of the show is being pretty.
So far, what has been the most challenging part of the rehearsal process?
The most challenging part has been learning how to be a woman without commenting on the fact that I’m a man!
What excites you about performing in this show?
The show excites me because it’s kind of a dream come true. When I was a little boy, I always loved watching pageants knowing I would never do one but hey! Never say never!
Fess up- if you were in a real beauty pageant, what would your talent be?
My talent would probably be singing while tap dancing and playing as many instruments that I could at the same time!!! Hahaha
Sheridan McMichael
Miss Great Plains
Where are you originally from?
Guthrie, OK
What shows have you previously performed in with Lyric?
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID, BIG RIVER, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, THE KING AND I, DISNEY’S TARZAN, CALL ME MADAM, SPRING AWAKENING, THE PRODUCERS, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2, and DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL.
Why should Miss Great Plains take home the title of Miss Glamouresse?
Miss Great Plains deserves the crown because she is a true embodiment of inner beauty, if nothing else. And her concern for the environment is very fashionable right now, so hopefully that’ll sway some of the judges.
What’s your favorite part of this show?
The talent competition. It justifies all kinds of silliness that you don’t normally see in shows.
So far, what has been the most challenging part of the rehearsal process?
The heels! I knew nothing of the excruciating pain women put up with on the daily. The experience has given me a deeper respect for the girls who do this in every show.
What excites you about performing in this show?
The lack of a fourth wall. It’s a self-aware performance, and I’m excited by the possible interactions with the audiences.
Fess up- if you were in a real beauty pageant, what would your talent be?
For years, I’ve played around with this sort of bocca chiusa technique that allows my voice to produce a fairly realistic trombone sound, but as you might expect, I haven’t found any worthwhile uses for it yet. If given the opportunity, I would have to develop some sort of routine around that.