Called a cross between “Some Like It Hot” and “Twelfth Night,” Ken Ludwig’s “Leading Ladies” weaves together a little Shakespeare, some desperation, unexpected romance and two guys in dresses for a non-stop laugh riot for The Players Theatre Company.
Performances are scheduled at the Owen Theatre in Conroe weekends Oct. 20 through Nov. 5.
“Leading Ladies,” written by the author of “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Moon Over Buffalo,” is the story of two English Shakespearean actors, Leo Clark and Jack Gable, who find themselves so down on their luck that they’re performing the Moose Lodge circuit in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country in 1952.
When they hear of an old lady about to die and leave her millions to her long-lost English nephews, they see an opportunity to change their fortune – until they discover the nephews are actually nieces. They’re undaunted, despite falling head-over-petticoats in love with the local lovely, Audrey, and the old lady’s vivacious niece, Meg, who is sure there’s more to life than York, Pennsylvania. She’ll find out just how much when she meets her cousins, “Maxine and Stephanie.”
“Ever since I saw Ken Ludwig direct the world premiere of this show at The Alley Theatre in 2004, I’ve wanted to be part of putting it on stage. It’s just a brilliant, fun comedy, and, these days, we need more reasons to have a good laugh,” said Houston playwright and actor, Jean Ciampi, who is taking the reins to direct the show for The Players.
Tasked with learning to walk in heels, Tomas Alvarez and Kolby Hughes tackle the roles “Leo” and “Jack.”
Morgan Tyler, who has recently returned to the area from Los Angeles, is “Meg,” and Kristin Bennett, who was last seen as “Sally” in The Player’s production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” is the delightful, roller-skating “Audrey.”
Peggy Sampson and Rusty Groos bring a long list of impressive credits and create the roles of the old lady, “Florence,” and “Doc Myers,” who she is sure is trying to kill her.
Robert Gyomber, hot off the Players’ production of “Sweeny Todd,” is “Butch,” while Jamie Ballard makes his stage debut as the uptight “Reverend Wooley.”
“Leading Ladies” is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are currently available by calling the box office at the Owen Theatre at 936-539-4090 Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. or online at www.PlayersTheatreCompany.com. The box office is also open two hours before each performance and the theatre is located at 225 Metcalf Street, Conroe.
The Players Theatre Company began in 1967 as The Little Theatre of Conroe utilizing the Conroe High School stage and later a refurbished plumbing supply store at the corner of Galveston and Robertson Streets. After helping to restore the historic Crighton Theatre in 1979, the group produced shows there for nearly 30 years as The Crighton Players. In 2008, in a partnership with the City of Conroe, The Players Theatre Company was formed and moved to their current residence at The Owen Theatre.
