Texas Tech Showcases The World Premiere Of “The Nerve Of Minerva”
L.A. | The Atom
On April 4, 2025, the Texas Tech School of Theatre and Dance introduced a new musical written by “Greater Tuna” creators Jaston Williams, Allen Robertson and Joe Sears. “The Nerve of Minerva” is a fun musical that tells the story of a dejected peahen. Frustrated after being laughed out of the barnyard talent show, she eventually discovers the unique value of her voice among the creatures surrounding her. A Tech alumnus, Williams attended the Thursday evening performance and plans to continue his involvement in the further development of the show through a workshop on campus this summer. However, audiences will likely find plenty of praise for the Looney Tunes style satire this show demonstrates in its current stage.
Directed by Jesse Jou and music director Joey Holland-Garcia, the energy is high from the moment the show begins. Choreographer Kyla Olson has done a fantastic job keeping the performances moving at a pace that maintains the rapt attention of the audience. The printed program hints about the show’s antics with an “immature content advisory” and it is helpful to get an understanding of the style of humor by taking a look at the exhibit in the lobby before taking a seat to watch.
The show is a mad mashup of styles with a sultry sow named Honey, a heartthrob boy band bunny, a slumber-inducing sheep duo and a country guard dog whose “I is slightly lower” than his Q. Oh, the hens sing in harmony and Minerva doesn’t seem to know who she wants to be amidst this crooning coop- until she does what none of her barnyard companions can do.
Naomi Taylor plays a sympathetic Minerva, finally soaring to triumph in her own special way.
Connor Gerhart (Honey) makes the audience swoon, and Robert White is funny and charming as Cletus. Caroline Chraska (Ann), Kate Beckelman (Nan), Katherine Stone (Jan) and Tayler Robertson (Yolanda) perform well in their roles as the hens.
Robyn Conner gives a hilarious performance as a goose named Betty and Alexander Sperry is an outstanding singer and dancer in his role as Barry with an entourage of ducks played by Ethan Matt and Solomon Williams. Jet Terry flaunts his talent for owning a stage and comfortably struts as a rooster named Randy. The choreography and costumes look great in “Don’t Come to the Jungle,” featuring Rengim Melis Köse as a toucan named Esmerelda.
Madeline Leibman and Toni Denike skillfully sell their scenes as two soothing sheep named Judy and Ethyl. The three villains, played by Ryne Starkey, McKayleigh Moore and Josh Rapp are all standouts for their solo vocals and together as a trio in their roles as the fox, the weasel and the rat. Scene four, including all of its musical numbers, is one of the best in the show.
The songs “Honey’s Blues,” “Mean with Feathers,” “Got a Minute?” and “Boot Backward Texan” are amusing and clever and they are each performed very well. Sperry also gives a great performance as the packrat in “I’m Your Guy” and the harmonies by Leibman and Denike are particularly good in “The Wooly Lament.”
Another notable success is the set that is simple and easily rearranged without being too sparce, designed by Jared Roberts and Constanza Romero. Although projection can sometimes be a distraction in productions when the size of objects or spaces in the background don’t fit the scene, the big sky with two windmills placed by John Conner in this show is a great example of using projection that suits the set. Lighting design (by Luke Moyer) and sound design (by Seth Warren-Crow) and are done well, though there are times when it can be difficult to hear the live singer over the music.
There’s no doubt the soundtrack in this production will be popular with audiences and this is the kind of new show that will be attractive to an audience that wants to take a break from the seriousness of life and just have a good time.
Remaining performance dates are April 10-13 at Charles E. Maedgen, Jr. Theatre on the Texas Tech campus. This show has no intermission. Tickets are available for students for $5 with valid ID and $10 for faculty and staff. There are also free ticket options for Texas Tech students. Find out more at https://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatre-dance/productions/past-productions/2024-2025/nerve-of-minerva.php. Purchase tickets at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ttutheatreanddance/5557.
