Hickory – When a White House PR nightmare spins into a legit crisis, seven brilliant and beleaguered women must risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. It’s POTUS, the hit Broadway comedy coming up soon at the Hickory Community Theatre. Performances begin October 20 and continue through November 4 in the Firemen’s Kitchen.

Caught up on the crisis, and causing further complications, are President’s wife, his jailbird sister, Bernadette, and his “special friend” Dusty. In the HCT production these roles are played by a trio of talented actors.

Thelma Eley plays Margaret, the President’s beleaguered wife who has just been publicly insulted. After appearing in character, supporting and ensemble roles in five HCT musicals – CROWNS, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, THE WIZ, THE COLOR PURPLE and KINKY BOOTS – Eley is making her comedy debut in POTUS. She is the recipient of two HCT Kay awards, for Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Character Actress in CROWNS. Eley has also served on the HCT Board of Directors and currently holds the office of Immediate Past President. When asked about why she chose to audition for POTUS, Eley replied, “Because it’s fast paced, with an all-women cast, and on the cutting edge.”

Jill Roberts, has the role of Bernadette, the President’s jail bird sister who’s wanted in three countries. A veteran of 10 HCT productions, Roberts made her debut in 2017 in the Ensemble of RENT and has gone on to win two Kay awards herself. The first was for Outstanding Newcomer in HAMLET and the second was Outstanding Ensemble in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. “My favorite thing about HCT,” she said, “is that it feels like family. I like that Bernadette has no filter and is brutally honest.”

The role of Dusty, the President’s “special friend”, is played by Hannah Nuhfer. She’s a relative newcomer to HCT, who made her debut last December as Kitty in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Nuhfer is no stranger to the stage though, with theatre credits that include Doralee in 9 TO 5 and Sophie in MAMMA MIA, at the Green Room Community Theatre, as well as Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and Janet Weiss in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW for Lincoln Theatre Guild. “I appreciate HCT’s willingness to push boundaries,” she says of POTUS. “Dusty is so fun!”

Performances of POTUS are Fridays and Saturdays, October 20 through November 4 at 7:30pm; Sundays, October 22 and 29 at 2:30pm; and Thursday, November 2 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for students. POTUS is not recommended for children. Tickets may be purchased online at hickorytheatre.org/box-office of by phone at 828-328-2283.

POTUS is rated R for strong language and adult situations. Consider yourself warned. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The Hickory Community Theatre’s 75th anniversary season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Green Park Dentistry, Paramount Automotive and Sunbelt Xpress. POTUS is produced in association with Dad’s Garage. The Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.

PHOTO: (from left) Jill Roberts is Bernadette, Thelma Eley is Margaret and Hannah Nuhfer is Dusty in POTUS. Photo by Katherine Stone Photography.