The cast of "Play On!" rehearses a scene during a recent tech rehearsal. Pictured, from left, are Alana McGaughey (Martha “Smitty” Smith, Greg Jackson (Henry Benish), and Holly Shiveley as “Polly Benish”.
photo by TRP
The Ringgold Playhouse will open its summer comedy "Play On!" for an eight-performance, two-weekend run beginning this Thursday night at the historic Ringgold Depot.
Now in its 10th season, TRP officials say they’re grateful for the opportunity to bring farcical laughs to the community.
“We’re extremely excited about this show,” said TRP Executive Director Adam Cook. “Kimberly Tyner Jones, who has directed for us several times in the past (Lend Me a Tenor, Rumors, Moon Over Buffalo and The Play That Goes Wrong), is at the helm for us again with this show, and it has been a summer full of laughs for our cast and crew.”
Play synopsis:
"Play On!" is a hilarious story of a theater group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author (Kim Jenkins) who keeps revising the script.
Act I is a rehearsal of the dreadful show, Act II is the near disastrous dress rehearsal, and the final act is the actual performance in which anything that can go wrong does. When the authoress decides to give a speech on the state of the modern theatre during the curtain calls, the audience is treated to a madcap climax and a thoroughly hilarious romp. Even the sound effects reap their share of laughter.
According to the director, the show promises big laughs for all audiences.
“The play is a non-stop ride of hilarity,” Ms. Tyner Jones said. “If you have been in community theatre, or enjoy watching community theatre, this is a must see. As the local Shoreham, England Theatre Company tries to rehearse their new play, opening in only four days, the eccentric playwright keeps changing the script.”
In addition to Ms. Jenkins as playwright “Phyllis Montague,” the cast also features TRP veterans Dan Lyons (Saul), Hailey Breitmann (Violet), Nikki Baltzer (Aggie), and Holly Shiveley as “Polly Benish”. The cast also includes five actors making their first appearances with TRP – Greg Jackson (Henry Benish), Eric Jackson (Billy Carewe), Jerry Draper (Jerome Dunbar), Alana McGaughey (Martha “Smitty” Smith), and Brenden Mullins as “Louie Perry”.
Performances of the show will open Thursday night and run through Sunday, July 30. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances will take place at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances this Sunday and Sunday, July 30 at 2 p.m.
Tickets for all performances are $10 general admission and $8 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance online at Eventbrite.com.
Actress Kim Jenkins works a scene as “Phyllis Montague,” a playwright struggling to make changes to her show while it’s in progress
photo by TRP