Mee's The Mail Order Bride Begins Off-Bway Previews 10/29

Tonight, Charles L. Mee's new comedy The Mail Order Bride will have its world premiere at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre on 410 W. 42nd Street. Presented by Resonance Ensemble, it runs in repertory with one of the plays that inspired it: Molière's final satire The Imaginary Invalid.

Previews of The Mail Order Bride begin on October 29, prior to the official press opening of November 2.  Previews of The Imaginary Invalid began October 27 prior to the official press opening of November 1; both are seen at the Beckett Theatre.

The Mail Order Bride is Charles L. Mee's tribute to the writings of Molière. "Inspired by The Imaginary Invalid (as well as other plays by Molière, Wycherley, and Aristophanes) the new comedy set in modern-day Brooklyn revolves around Argan, an older hypochondriac who orders up a young Asian bride much to the outrage of his family and friends. But when a handsome young caterer arrives on the scene, the bride must choose between loyalty and love, and Argan is forced to learn the difference between growing old and growing up," state press notes.

Interspersed with contemporary musical interludes, the play is directed by Resonance Ensemble Artistic Director Eric Parness.  The cast includes John Henry Cox, Booth Daniels, Susan Ferrara, Vivia Font, Sue Jean Kim, Sam Kitchin, Peter McCain, Lori McNally, Melissa Miller, and Susan Louise O'Connor. The design team is Dustin O'Neill (scenic design), Sidney Shannon  (costume design), Aaron Mason (lighting design), Nick Moore (sound design).

The Imaginary Invalid is Molière's satirical look at the medical profession.  "As Argan (the 'invalid')'s financial circumstances collapse under the weight of excessive medical bills, made by his own fears and by the unscrupulous behavior of his two physicians, he decides to marry his daughter off to one of his doctors in return for a lifetime of free medical treatments. The idea meets opposition, though, when it becomes clear that the young lady's affections lie elsewhere. Soon the entire household is involved in an elaborate, uproarious plot to save true love."

Directed by Rebecca Patterson - the all-female cast includes Virginia Baeta, Amy Driesler, Valentina McKenzie, Gisele Richardson, Samarra, Carey Urban, and Kari Washington. The design team is Dustin O'Neill (scenic design), Jenny Fulton (costume design), Aaron Mason (lighting design),  Sabrina McGuigan (sound design).

Multi-award winning playwright Charles L. Mee's works include Time to Burn, Wintertime, Snow in June, Big Love, True Love, First Love and Summertime.  Mee's complete works are available on the internet at www.charlesmee.org

The Mail Order Bride and The Imaginary Invalid run in repertory: Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays - Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm & 7pm (please note there will be no 2pm performance on  Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29). Tickets are $18 and can be reserved by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or on-line at www.ticketcentral.com.  For additional details, please visit www.resonanceensemble.org.