Frisky French farce spoofs, spins and twirls the ‘little white lie’
WHAT: The Ladies Man, an evening of charming, frisky fun, opens Friday, July 22 at the East Sonora Theatre and runs through August 21.
WHEN: July 22-August 21. Thursday and Friday evening performances begin at 7, Saturday evening shows begin at 8 and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2. “Talk back” – discussion with the director and performers – are on Thursday evening, August 4 immediately following the performance.
WHERE: East Sonora Theatre, 13891 Mono Way, Sonora
PRICES: Tickets are $24- $30 depending on the show day. (Rush Tickets are half of general admission price Thurs & Fri); seniors receive $2 off (except Wednesday); tickets for children 17 & under are $18. Students 18 & older with ID are $20 anytime.
BOX OFFICE: (209) 532-3120
WEBSITE: www.sierrarep.org
A loving husband might be forgiven a tiny little untruth. But when his innocent little fib gets buried under an avalanche of mistaken identities, in-law rifts, a brothel with a fake front and an insanely jealous Prussian with a thick accent – how can he hope to get things straightened out?
That’s the plight of Dr. Herucle Molineaux in SRT’s hilarious upcoming production of The Ladies Man, a new adaptation of the first hit by France’s master of farce Georges Feydeau, playing at the East Sonora stage July 22 through August 21.
More than a century after it debuted, Feydeau’s rapid-fire comedy still brings down the house.
“I can’t recall the last time I laughed so hard,” wrote The Wall Street Journal reviewer. “(It’s) an explosion of inspired craziness!”
It’s Paris, circa 1880, and the middle-aged Dr. Molineaux has told his young wife a little cover story for an embarrassing condition. In trying to avoid getting caught, he entangles a whole cast of zany characters – his butler, his wife’s maid, his relentless mother-in-law, a mischievous married woman, her colorful husband and a mild-mannered patient with an oddly infectious speech impediment.
It all adds up to an evening of charming, frisky fun, and SRT Director Dennis Jones can’t wait to bring it to Sierra Rep’s audiences.
“I think people will love it!” he said. “Many people consider Feydeau to be the master of farce, and you’ll see why. It’s such a great mix of broad physical comedy and sophisticated dialogue. You get both kinds of laughs – and we all need some laughs!.”
Playwright Charles Morey calls his script “freely translated and adapted” from Feydeau’s play Tailleur pour Dames, and SRT’s talented cast promises a lively interpretation. Jones calls them one of the top three ensembles he’s ever had on stage:
Accomplished New York actor Warren Kelley, whose long acting resume includes scores of roles in major regional theaters around the nation, plays the good doctor, Hercule Molineaux.
Samantha Bruce (the German airline attendant in SRT’s Boeing Boeing) is his young wife, Yvonne.
Sacramento artist Janis Stevens, a frequent leading lady at SRT (Master Class, Idiot’s Delight, No Sex Please, We’re British), is the fearsome mother-in-law.
Louis Lotorto (SRT’s The Rainmaker, Picasso at the Lapin Agile) is the butler, Etienne, and SRT newcomer Tina Van Berkelaer is his co-worker, Marie.
Meredith Burns is Molineaux’s smitten – but married – patient, Suzanne.
SRT Company Actor Ty Smith (School for Wives, The Rainmaker, Beauty and the Beast) is her husband, Gustav, a Prussian officer with a big sword and a short temper.
And Justin Fatz (SRT’s Hairspray, The Full Monty) is Molineaux’s easy-going acquaintance Bassinet – willing to go along with any cover story if he can only get the words out.
Jones is creating the set, a challenge that involves an upscale Paris apartment from the late 1800s that can convert in a matter of moments into a dressmaker’s shop with a twist.
Guest costumer Vanessa Leuck (SRT’s Annie, Shipwrecked! and Red, White and Tuna) will be creating the period French attire.
Also on the production team are SRT Lighting Designer Christopher Van Tuyl, Property Manager Jen Fletcher and stage manager Tara Cookson.
SRT’s production of The Ladies Man is presented with the help of our Silver Partner The Union Democrat and underwriters Twain Harte Pharmacy and MicroTronics.
The Ladies Man opens July 22 and plays through August 21 at SRT’s East Sonora Theatre. Thursday and Friday performances begin at 7, Saturday evening performances are at 8 and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2. Ticket prices range from $24 to $30 depending on the day of the performance.
For information or reservations, call SRT’s box office at (209) 532-3120 or visit the theater’s website at www.sierrarep.org.
Special Date Night Offer: (July 23 & 30, August 6, 13 & 20)
Every Saturday night during The Ladies Man--that’s date night, by the way—enjoy a pre-show picnic in the French style!
For only $25 per couple, this picnic for two includes two slices of Bon Appetite’s spinach and mushroom quiche, two small croissants, two glasses of wine/champagne/beer or any non-alcoholic beverage available through the Sierra Rep bar, and for dessert, scrumptious French macaroons and tea from Columbia Kate’s. The picnic basket includes picnic blanket, utensils, napkins and glasses.
While picnicking on the Sierra Rep lawn, enjoy the twinkle of the stars as if on the Seine.
Please reserve your Parisian picnic through the Box Office the Thursday prior to attending. The show begins at 8 PM but you can pick up your basket as early as 6 PM to find the best spot on the lawn!
About Sierra Repertory Theatre
SRT is a professional non-profit theater producing a year-round season of classic and contemporary plays at two locations — the SRT theater in East Sonora and the historic Fallon House Theatre in Columbia. The talented resident company and visiting guest artists include members of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers. High quality performances, production values and management have established Sierra Rep as a model for regional theater. Sierra Rep's 200-seat theater in East Sonora is intimate, attractive and comfortable; with excellent sight lines and acoustics, and no seat more than 10 rows from the stage. The Fallon House is a restored Gold Rush-era theater and inn located in Columbia State Historic Park. It seats 274. Both theaters are centrally heated and cooled and wheelchair accessible. The East Sonora Theater has an assistive listening system for hearing-impaired patrons.
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