Area audiences have the chance to catch a new (for Springfield) musical about a small group of World War I heroes, and this writer hopes you take it. The Hello Girls is an uplifting and exciting history lesson that chronicles the journey of five courageous women who served as bilingual telephone operators on the front lines of France in 1918. Officially known as the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit, the efforts of these brave women filled an essential role that helped turn the tide of the war. Despite this fact, these first women who served often struggled for acceptance and recognition.
I had the opportunity to watch a rehearsal well before the production was in full tech. Even without costumes, lights and sets, I could tell that the show was something special. Not only is the story compelling but the dialogue is witty, the score is punchy and the talented cast and staff are deeply committed to the show’s message.
I asked directors Emily Noel and Megan Hickman how they found The Hello Girls and why they wanted to direct it. Noel was quick to credit Hickman for the idea. “I saw it on a subreddit about underrated musicals, and knew I had to do it someday,” Hickman said. “The music is so good and the vocals are really complex. It’s also relevant to some of what we are experiencing today, with similar rhetoric on the rise.”
Noel commented on how “shows often hold up a mirror to society or reflect history,” and this is definitely one of those times. Both cited the main theme of the show as a call to action for all of us. When the time comes, how will you answer the call and step up?
They also praised their fellow staffers for their dedication to the piece.
“Tiffany Williams (as vocal director) does an amazing job with some really difficult and layered harmonies and Sean Robb is an incredible and supportive choreographer,” Noel said.
Stage manager Jeremy Tackett serves in the Illinois National Guard, and he helped with details such as saluting and conveying an overall military mindset. “We wanted to do our best to be respectful and get that right,” Hickman said.
Sitting down with the cast members playing the Hello Girls brought out similar feelings and excitement about doing the show.
Zoe Chase, who plays capable chief operator Grace Banker, likes that “it’s a story that platforms women’s voices.” For her it was an “automatic yes” to audition.
“The piece does well to bring forward the tension of the time,” Chase said. “Yes, it’s a new show, but the story of the war isn’t, though many people will not know about these operators.”
Amanda Gottrich, who plays the ballsy Suzanne, said it was the soundtrack that first made her want to do the show after a friend brought it to her attention.
“It’s a real acting challenge to be in a period piece, playing historical characters, but everything here is so cohesive,” she said. “The playwright, Peter Mills, wrote wonderfully about women who were ahead of their time.”
Emily Smith, who plays Bertha; Miriam Carter, who plays Helen; and Ace Ameris, who plays Louise; all echoed the same sentiments about what their experiences have been like and what audiences can expect.
Carter, who says she relates a lot to her often fearful but sweet, silly character, thinks “audiences will enjoy seeing a great ensemble piece about women coming together to do something important.”
Ameris, who infuses the headstrong Louise with a real joie de vivre while speaking with a convincing French accent, wants audiences to feel transported and come away with a new perspective. “I’m so moved by the show in a way I hadn’t felt before. It makes me feel so much hope.”
Not to be forgotten are the men in the show. Nate King as Captain Riser, the Hello Girls’ initially reluctant and skeptical commanding officer, and Dan Johnson’s General Pershing help anchor the show’s history with a firm commanding presence. Ben Klisit, JD Sonneborn and Kyle Bolinger capably round out the male characters and do a noteworthy job playing a myriad of characters. The entire ensemble moves well and sounds great.
“You can’t watch and not feel something,” said Emily Smith, who plays the wise and motherly Bertha Hunt, an operator who also had a husband serving in the war. “It may not be a show that people have seen a million times, but it’s something people will remember,” Smith said.
The Hello Girls runs Nov. 14-16 and 21-23 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts – LRS Theatre. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday shows at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets at hcfta.org or by calling 217-523-2787.
This article appears in November 13-19, 2025.
This show was great!