Cortland Rep Kicks Off 41st Season with THE LADIES MAN, Now thru 6/16

Cortland Repertory Theatre kicks off its 41st season at the Little York Pavilion with the regional premiere of a hysterical new farce "The Ladies Man", written by Charles Morey, who "freely translated and adapted" this version from the French farce "Tailleur pour dames" by Georges Feydeau.

Performances will run from tonight, June 6th - 16th with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on June 8th, 10th and 13th at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchase by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.

This fast-paced, laugh-a-minute farce takes place in Belle Époque Paris in the early 1900's. The recently married Dr. Hercule Molineaux tells "one tiny, little, hardly noticeable lie" to cover an innocent but embarrassing indiscretion of a trip to the Moulin Rouge. From that single untruth tumbles a cascade of increasingly convoluted deceptions, misunderstandings and mistaken identities. Compounding Molineaux's troubles are a suspicious young wife, a gorgon of a mother-in-law, an outrageously aggressive female patient, her violently jealous Prussian husband, a well-intentioned friend with an unfortunate speech impediment, a valet with attitude, a maid with a secret, and more slamming doors than realistic architecture should ever accommodate, all adding up to a hilariously zany and infectiously charming evening.

Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson directs, who has also directed CRT's farces in the last few years, including "Rumors", "See How They Run" and CRT's top attended non-musical play, "Unnecessary Farce". "Putting together a farce is always great fun and challenging in a two week rehearsal period," Thompson says. "This is a fantastic cast who really understand the delivery and rhythms to a farce. Anyone who loves or needs a good laugh is sure to enjoy this production!" Frequent CRT actor Dustin Charles works behind the scenes on this production, serving as Assistant Director and dialect coach.

The cast is a mix of familiar and new faces to CRT audiences. Michael Schafer returns to play Dr. Molineaux, having been seen in past CRT productions of "See How They Run", "Moonlight and Magnolias", "Harvey" and "Sylvia". Playing the spitting patient with a lisp is SALT Award nominee Nicholas Wilder, who starred in "Rumors" last summer. Actress Rebecca McGraw plays the gorgon mother-in-law Madame Airgreville. McGraw was also seen in "See How They Run", as well as last summer's "A Murder is Announced" and previously in "Damn Yankees". Justin Klose, who has been seen in "Spider's Web" and "Unnecessary Farce" plays the snooty valet. Newcomers to CRT include Shanya Vercillo as the doctor's young wife Yvonne, Suzy Kimball as the aggressive patient Suzanne with Joe York as her Prussian husband, Gustav. Rounding out the cast is Maria Cristina Slye as the maid Maria.

Returning Stage Manager Eric Behnke leads a talented production team. Returning this year are: Jason Bolen who created scenic designs for CRT's "Rumors", "Chicago", "Joseph….Dreamcoat" amongst many others; Costume designer Wendi Zea returns, having last worked on "Spider's Web" and "See How They Run" in 2010. Frequent CRT Lighting Designer Shawn Boyle also is returning along with Technical Director Patrick McGovern and Properties Mistress Danielle Hodgins. Seth Asa Sengel makes his CRT debut as Sound Designer as does Assistant Stage Management Intern Natasha Thompson.

CRT will continue the tradition of "Friday Night Talk Backs" at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew takes place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for all of CRT's summer season, which includes "Grease", "Cats", "Agatha Christie's The Hollow", "The Drawer Boy", "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and the children's show "Aladdin".

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