The Sudbury Theatre Centre has hit the floor running with its season opener, Ken Ludwig’s side-splitting comedy, Leading Ladies.
Anyone who has ever seen Some Like it Hot, the cross-dressing Jack Lemmon/Tony Curtis iconic film of the ‘50’s knows how entanglements abound when men disguise themselves in dresses.
In this case, a pair of down-and-out Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, discover that an old lady in York, PA is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost relatives. Their plan to snag the three million dollars takes a turn for the worse when they discover the relatives are not nephews but, in fact, nieces. But they’re actors! They can play women! Or so they think.
Artistic Director David Savoy has assembled a talented cast for this popular farce. Jeff Miller (STC's Rabbit Hole and Half-Life) plays Leo who devises the plot to get Florence's money. The feisty Florence is played by Linda Goranson who audiences will remember from STC's Half Life. Along the way, Leo falls in love with Meg, Laura Caswell, a familiar face at STC (Sweeney Todd). Unfortunately, Meg, the object of Leo's eye is engaged to be married – in this case- to the money-grubbing Reverend Duncan Wooley, played by Michael Rawley, last seen at STC in Aladdin. Leo’s partner in crime, Jack, played by STC new-comer Mark McGrinder, is more than a little reluctant to don a dress, even for a million dollars. Rounding out the cast are stage veteran William Vickers as the inept medical doctor, Sudbury's Mark Agostinucci as his son Butch, and Ashley Magwood as the refreshing and delightful Audrey, the object of Butch’s desire.
Sudbury audiences have come to expect stunning visuals in Sudbury Theatre Centre productions. Eye appeal is plentiful with a rich, sophisticated set designed by Doug Robinson, a variety of beautiful costumes designed by Joanne Kelemen and expert lighting by Travis Hatt. Fight director is Richard Quesnel who was in the cast of STC's Transit of Venus. Director David Savoy welcomes stage manager Josephine Ho to STC for Leading Ladies.
