Flat Rock Playhouse Presents THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, Now thru 9/14

Flat Rock Playhouse presents the high-camp farce, The Mystery of Irma Vep, from today, August 14 - September 14 at the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown. As part of its "Season of Laughter and Love" presented by the Cliffs Communities, the Playhouse is pleased to offer this installment of laughter, starring the outrageous comedic talents of Scott Treadway and Preston Dyar.

The Mystery of Irma Vep takes place on a dark and stormy night at the estate of Lord Edgar, an Egyptologist, and his second-wife, Lady Enid. Recently married Enid is ready to start her new life in the country, but Edgar has yet to recover from the mysterious death of his first wife, Irma Vep, whose portrait hangs over the fireplace. Strange things begin to happen to Enid as she is haunted by something prowling the grounds and soon discovers the mystery of Irma Vep.

In the tradition of the Greater Tuna Series, The Mystery of Irma Vep features two actors taking on numerous characters and even more costume changes in this hilarious satire of theatrical and literary genres. In fact, the show will feature at least 50 costumes changes with some happening in less than nine seconds.

Written by Charles Ludlam in 1984, the show satirizes all that is ridiculous in Gothic horror, Victorian melodrama, classic film, and conventional theatre from Shakespeare's Hamlet to Hitchcock's Rebecca. A contender for the funniest play of the last quarter-century, The Mystery of Irma Vep is both an ironic deconstruction of the Victorian horror genre and a high-camp celebration of it.

The show is directed by Flat Rock Playhouse Guest Director, Kenneth Kay. Ken is happy to be returning to Flat Rock Playhouse after a brief 19-year hiatus. Some of his earlier directing credits at FRP include: Mister Roberts, Driving Miss Daisy, Other People's Money, A Few Good Men, I Hate Hamlet, Dangerous Obsession, Bus Stop, and Wait Until Dark. During the intervening years away from the Playhouse, Mr. Kay has been very busy acting, directing, producing and teaching at professional theatres and universities throughout the Southeast and nationally. Most recently he directed the world premiere of Silver Shadows ... a birthin', a one-woman play written and performed by his wife of nearly 25 years, the lovely and talented Kim Cozort.

Cast members are Scott Treadway and Preston Dyar.

Scenic Designer is Dennis Maulden. Costume Designer is Ashli Arnold. Lighting Designer is Stephen Terry. Sound Designer is Andy Bishop. Technical Director is Tony Lawrence. Props Master is Chris Fields.

Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick and Horizon Heating and Air present The Mystery of Irma Vep at the Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, August 14 - September 14. Performances will be Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm; matinees Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2:00 pm. All tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

Discounts are available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students and groups. The Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown is located at 125 S. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

Photo by James Johnson

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