Olney Theatre Center to Open 78th Season with Coward's Classic Comedy HAY FEVER

Olney Theatre Center, a Mid-Atlantic destination for extraordinary theater performance and education, opens its 2015-2016 season with Noël Coward's Hay Fever, running September 2 - September 27, 2015 on the Mainstage, directed by Artistic Associate Eleanor Holdridge.

Hoping for a quiet weekend in the country with some guests, David Bliss, a novelist, and his wife Judith, a "retired" actress, find that an impossible dream when their high-spirited children Simon and Sorel appear with guests of their own. A house full of comedy waits to be ignited as misunderstandings mount and tempers flare. With Judith's new flame and David's newest literary "inspiration" keeping company as the children follow suit, the Bliss family lives up to its name as the 'quiet weekend' comes to an exhausting and hilarious finale worthy of the best classic farce.

"Your summer doesn't have to end, thanks to this witty, wacky, and wonderful production of Hay Fever," said Artistic Director Jason Loewith. "Join me as we launch our 78th season in high style with some of the company's great veterans on the stage, directed by a new Artistic Associate who is helping us blaze an exciting way forward for Olney Theatre Center."

This production of Hay Fever is directed by Olney Theatre Center Artistic Associate Eleanor Holdridge. Ms. Holdridge directed the Helen Hayes Award-Nominated production of I and You, featured on the cover of American Theatre Magazine, at Olney Theatre Center in 2014. She has also directed locally at Theatre J, Constellation Theatre, Round House Theatre, Folger Theatre, and Everyman Theatre.

The cast of Hay Fever is made up of an array of Olney Theatre Center veterans and newcomers. The role of Judith will be played by Artistic Associate and longtime Olney veteran Valerie Leonard, last seen at Olney Theatre Center in The Price. The role of David will be played by Matt Sullivan, who has been seen at Studio Theatre and performed in Hay Fever at the Guthrie Theater. Playing Judith and David's children are DC regular Chris Dinolfo and newcomer Audrey Bertaux.

The Bliss' weekend guests include Artistic Associate Jon Hudson Odom in the role of Sandy; Jon was most recently seen at Olney Theatre Center in the Helen Hayes Award-Winner Colossal. Artistic Associates Michael Russotto and Susan Lynskey crash the party as Richard and Jackie respectively. Both were seen last at Olney Theatre Center in Rancho Mirage.Beth Hylton, who was most recently seen at Olney Theatre Center in The Savannah Disputation, will play the role of Myra.Carol Randolph, who has been seen at Shakespeare Theatre Company and 1st Stage, will play the role of Clara.

The Award-Winning Design Team, led by Eleanor Holdridge, consists of Scenic Designer John Coyne, Lighting DesignerNancy Schertler, Costume Designer Kendra Rai, Sound Designer Christopher Baine, Dialect Coach Nancy Krebs, and Production Stage Manager and Artistic Associate Josiane M. Lemieux.

This production is made possible by Production Sponsors Rossana Salvadori and Kevin White and John E. Gibson.

Hay Fever

By Noel Coward

Directed by Eleanor Holdridge

September 2 - 27, 2015

Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 8:00pm; matinees on Sunday at 2:00pm; Saturday matinees at 2:00pm on Sept. 12, Sept. 19, and Sept. 26; Wednesday matinees at 2:00pm on Sept. 9 and Sept. 23. There is no 8:00pm performance onSept. 19.

Tickets are $38-$75. Discounts available for groups, seniors, military, and students.

About Olney Theatre Center

Olney Theatre Center is an award-winning, nonprofit, Equity theatre. Located just north of Washington, D.C. in arts-rich Montgomery County, Maryland, Olney Theatre Center offers a diverse array of professional productions year-round. Olney Theatre Center is situated on 14 acres in the heart of the beautiful Washington-Baltimore-Frederick "triangle," within easy access of all three cities. Olney Theatre Center is home to the National Players, America's longest-running touring company and led by Artistic Director Jason Loewith and Managing Director Debbie Ellinghaus. For more information, please visit www.olneytheatre.org.

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