Larry Shue’s classic comedy, “The Nerd,” will kick off TRP’s 2016 Season beginning Jan. 21.
The Ringgold Playhouse is prepping for the kickoff of its 2016 season, and tickets for the opening production of Larry Shue’s “The Nerd,” are on sale.
After closing out its 2015 season in late September, TRP will open its seven-show production of “The Nerd” on Jan. 21.
“It’s a very funny show, and we’re excited to be able to share some more laughs with the community,” said Adam Cook, TRP’s executive director. “We have a very talented cast full of great comedic actors, so it’ll be a very entertaining way to start our season.”
Review for The Nerd:
The show is being directed by TRP veteran Ronald King, who knows a lot about comedy and Larry Shue’s work after working on another Shue hit, “The Foreigner,” two years ago.
“The Foreigner was my favorite role I’ve ever played, and I’m looking forward to bringing another Larry Shue story to the Depot stage,” Mr. King said.
“The Nerd” is a story about an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Ind., named Willum Cubbert. Willum has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met, but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you.”
So, Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his 34th birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd.” He’s a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and even less tact.
Rick stays on and on, his continued presence between Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence. A well-crafted story with dire developments, audiences will be surprised by the endearing “twist” ending of the play.
The cast includes TRP veteran and fan favorite Dan Lyons as “Willum,” Joshua Chisholm as “Axel,” Lindsey Knox as “Tansy,” Mark Morgan as Willum’s boss “Warnock Waldgrave,” Nikki Sloan as “Clelia Waldgrave,” Corbin Sloan as “Thor Waldgrave,” and Cook as “Rick Steadman.”
“We have a great cast, and this show is super funny,” Mr. King said.
In addition to tickets for “The Nerd,” TRP is once again offering season ticket packages, which are also on sale. The season ticket gives each audience member a ticket to all four productions of the season at a discounted price.
“It’s just a way for us to reward the audience members who continue to support us,” Mr. Cook said. “A lot of our patrons see every production anyway, so we decided to save them a little money in the process.”
General admission tickets for each production are $10, and $8 for seniors and students. Season tickets are $30. For more information about TRP, tickets, or its 2016 season, call 706.935-3061, or email TheRinggoldPlayhouse@gmail.com.