Ready for the 26th Season
Crazy comedy, serious drama and a heartwarming family story are on the schedule as TheatreWorks announces the lineup for its 26th season. ”We’re very excited to be offering four plays that we’ve never done before,” said Connie Anderson, president of the community theater group. ”We’re hoping to entertain the folks who have been our subscribers for years, while welcoming new theatergoers to our very special space,” she said.
The season will open next month with “The Female Odd Couple” by Neil Simon, Directed by Mark Anderson. It’s a twist on the show that’s considered a contemporary comedy classic. Oscar and Felix are replaced by Olive and Florence; the guys’ poker party morphs into a night of Trivial Pursuit; and the Pigeon Sisters become the Costazuela brothers. Performances will be Sept. 19 through 28. The cast for this opening show features Pat Hawkridge of Bristol as Florence Unger and Karen Bessette DiOrio of Cumberland as Olive Madison.
Also in the cast are Lisa Forsgard of North Attleboro as Mickey, Danielle Derotto of Woonsocket as Sylvie, Camille Terilli of Cranston as Vera and CeCe Cardoza of Blackstone as Renee. Appearing as brothers, Jesus and Manolo Costazuela are, respectively, Steve Slate of Bellingham and Shelly Whittle of North Smithfield.
The laughs will continue with “The Underpants” by Steve Martin, on stage from Nov. 7 through 16. Well known for his work as an actor and comedian, Martin the playwright offers a funny take on the commotion caused by an act of fate.
Adapted from a German work, the play shows how Louise and Theo’s conservative existence is upset when Louise’s bloomers fall down in public. Theo is certain this brief public display will cost him his job as a government clerk, but instead it attracts the attention of two men: a foppish poet and a whining hypochondriac who become infatuated with Louise.
Theatre Works takes on Tennessee Williams with a production of “The Glass Menagerie,” scheduled for March 27 through April 6. The play centers on Amanda Wingfield, a faded, tragic remnant of Southern gentility, who is living in poverty with her alcoholoic son, lorn, and crippled daughter, Laura. When Tom invites his friend Jim to dinner. Amanda crudely tries to entrap him into marrying her daughter. In the midst of all that, Jim and Laura get along very nicely, and momentarily, he’s able to lift her out of herself into a new world.
The season will close with “Over the Tavern” by Tom Dudzick. Set during the Eisenhower era, the play is about the Paziuski family and 12-year-old Rudy, who is questioning family values and the Catholic Church. When Rudy tells the ruler-wielding Sister Clarissa that he’s cancelling his Confirmation while he shops for a more fun religion, trouble ensues.
Tickets are $18 general admission and $15 for seniors 62 and older and children 12 and under. A season subscription costs $48.
TheatreWorks shows are presented in theater space at the Masonic Temple, 142 Clinton St. For information, call (401) 766-1898 or log on to www.twri.org
Theatre Works also announced auditions for “The Underpants.” Needed are three men in their mid-20s to late 30s, a man age 50 or older, one woman in her mid-20s and another in her mid-40s.
Auditions will take place Sept. 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in TheatreWorks’ space at 142 Clinton St. For details or directions, call the number or visit the Web site listed above.
