By Kitchen                                            H.R. No. 1153
         77R16879 MMS-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The world premiere of the musical Jouet, written  by
 1-2     Allen Robertson and starring Meredith McCall, opened April 5, 2001,
 1-3     on the Kleberg Stage of the Zachary Scott Theatre Center in Austin,
 1-4     to the thunderous applause of critics and audiences alike; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, The dazzling production, Zachary Scott's first
 1-6     effort at mounting an original work, has further burnished the
 1-7     theater's distinguished reputation and elicited enthusiastic praise
 1-8     for the musical's actress and author/composer; and
 1-9           WHEREAS, Mr. Robertson, who holds a bachelor's degree from
1-10     Abilene Christian University and an M.F.A. from The University of
1-11     Texas at Austin, maintains a crowded schedule, typically working on
1-12     several shows at the same time; a tremendously gifted composer  and
1-13     musical  director,  he  invests Jouet with a kaleidoscope of ethnic
1-14     musical styles while exploring "themes of identity and image, trust
1-15     and sacrifice," and the quest to find one's place in the world; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Meredith McCall, for whom  the  role  of  Jouet  was
1-17     specifically written, also earned a bachelor's degree from Abilene
1-18     Christian and a master of arts degree in theater from Northwestern
1-19     University; this consummate performer is equal parts singer and
1-20     actress and a master of both comedy and drama; she has won
1-21     recognition for her performances in shows as varied as the
1-22     children's piece The Steadfast Tin Soldier, the comedy Born
1-23     Yesterday, and the drama Pride's Crossing; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Staged under the direction of Dave Steakley, Zachary
 2-1     Scott's  artistic  director,  with  design  by  Michael Raiford and
 2-2     Leslie Bonnell, Jouet has showcased the exceptional talents of  two
 2-3     highly respected artists, added a splendid new work to the corpus
 2-4     of American musicals, and underscored the vibrant creativity of
 2-5     cultural life in the Capital City; now, therefore, be it
 2-6           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-7     Legislature hereby honor Allen Robertson and Meredith McCall on the
 2-8     occasion  of  Jouet's  triumphant world premiere and extend to them
 2-9     sincere best wishes for continued success in their many endeavors;
2-10     and, be it further
2-11           RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
2-12     for Mr. Robertson and Ms. McCall as an expression of high regard by
2-13     the Texas House of Representatives.