About Cortland Repertory Theatre
CRT Presents the Regional Premiere of “Leading Ladies”
Cortland Repertory Theatre continues its Mainstage Season with the regional premiere of Ken Ludwig’s farce Leading Ladies, which runs from June 18 - 28. This comedy is the latest play written by the author who penned Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo, both of which have been performed at CRT in the past. Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson notes that it is exciting to bring a new show to the area. “We always try to balance out our seasons with new shows and old favorites, so it’s fun to have this production as part of this season” he says. CRT welcomes Tony Capone, who starred on Broadway in Miss Siagon and who directed last season’s Ten Little Indians at CRT, as the show director. “Tony brings the wealth of his performance experience to his career as a director, and the actors are loving working with someone of his talent and caliber.” Thompson says.
The play centers around two English actors, Jack and Leo, who find themselves scraping the bottom of the acting barrel by performing Scenes from Shakespeare on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in the area is about to kick the bucket and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews “Max and Steve”, they resolve to con her into believing that they are her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble begins when they discover that “Max and Steve” are not nephews, but nieces - “Maxine and Stephanie”! With a trunk full of Shakespearian period dresses and wigs, they continue on with their scheme. But their scam…and their bloomers…are further entangled when they find the old lady far from death’s door and Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with her vivacious niece!
In casting the show, Thompson and Capone have put together a mix of familiar faces to CRT audiences as well as new talent. Returning actors Dominick Varney, seen in previous CRT farces How the Other Half Loves and Don’t Dress for Dinner and Marc Goldhaber, who starred in Over the River and Through the Woods as well as CRT’s reviews of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett music, appear as Jack and Leo. Joining them are new faces Morgan Reis as the life-loving niece Meg, and Adam Belvo as the Reverend Duncan Wooley to whom Meg is engaged. Robbye Lewis makes her CRT debut as the hypochondriac aunt Florence, and Binghamton actor Mark Bader portrays her long suffering doctor. Rounding out the cast are CRT Performing Intern Kyle Hines as Doc’s dim son Butch and Erin Baltsar as his roller-skating sweetheart.
The design elements are handled also by a mix of CRT alumni and newcomers, with costume design by Wendi Zea, who most recently designed this summer’s 8 Track, and Lighting design by Todd Proffitt. Scenic design is handled by newcomer Brian Howard, sound design by Andrew Modansky and properties are handled by season designer Rob Peck. The Stage manager for the production is Pamela Reichen.
Leading Ladies will be presented at the Edward Jones Playhouse, CRT’s home in Dwyer Memorial Park. Season Benefactor McNeil and Company is joined for this production by show sponsor Overhead Door Company of Cortland, Inc. and show partner Reihlman, Shafer and Shafer. Parking is free, and the theatre is handicapped accessible and air conditioned. Tickets may be purchased at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland, by calling 800-427-6160 or online at www.cortlandrep.org. For more information about any of CRT’s shows or programming, please visit www.cortlandrep.org.
In photo, L-R: Dominick Varney as Jack Gable, Robbye Lewis as Florence Snider, Marc Goldhaber as Leo Clark and Morgan Reis as Meg Snider.