Hickory – Artistic Director Pamela Livingstone has announced her cast for the Hickory Community Theatre’s production of The Hobbit. Performances will begin on Friday, March 9th and continue through Sunday, March 25th.

The play is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy classic about how a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins is recruited by Gandalf the wizard to assist a company of dwarves in reclaiming their homeland from a fierce dragon.

In the central roles, Cody Stuckenschneider is Bilbo, Jordan Randall is Gandalf, Jill Roberts is Thorin and Matt Finch has triple roles as Gollum, the Great Goblin and the Elven King.

The members of Thorin’s company accompanying him on his quest are Alice Barrett as Oin, Bill Boyd as Bofur, Cinthya Calderon as Fili, Josh Gibson as Ori, James Grose and Bifur, Cecilio Henry as Kili, Adam Lowery as Balin, Cameron Owens as Dwalin, Chris “Clam” Sepulveda as Bombur, Jordan Smith as Nori, Thomas Townsend as Dori and Will Vogler as Gloin.

Teresa Greene, Mollie Johns, Megan Miller, Emma Snyder, Kathryn Whalen and Christin White make up the ensemble company of elves and goblins.

Performances of The Hobbit are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm (Mar 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24); Thursdays at 7:30pm (Mar 15 & 22); and Sundays at 2:30pm (Mar 18 & 25.)

All seats are $18, seniors age 60+ are $16 and tickets for students and youth 18 and under are $10. On Thursday nights all adults and seniors are $14. Tickets are now on sale online at hickorytheatre.org or through the Theatre box office, in person or by phone at 828-328-2283. Box office hours are 12-5 Wednesday through Friday.

HCT is a Funded Affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. The 2017-2018 Season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive and A Cleaner World. The Hobbit is produced by Robert Abbey, Inc. and Sunbelt Furniture Xpress.

Photo: (Ladder, top to bottom, L-R) Corey Stuckenschneider, Jill Roberts, Josh Gibson, Cinthya Calderon, Thomas L. Townsend, Matt Finch, Jordan Smith, (Standing, L-R) Alice Barrett, Chris “Clam” Sepulveda, Cecilio Henry, Megan Miller, Jordan A. Randall, Teresa Greene, James Grose, Adam Lowrey, (Kneeling, L-R) Will Vogler, Emma Snyder, Mollie Johns, Kathryn Whalen, Christin White and Cameron Owens are the cast of The Hobbit at the Hickory Community Theatre. Performances begin on March 9th in the Jeffers Theatre.  Photo by Lauren Albers.