Photo Flash: UNNECESSARY FARCE at Playhouse on Park

Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Countless laughs! Playhouse on Park's Mainstage series continues with Unnecessary Farce, written by West Hartford native Paul Slade Smith. Opening night is Friday, November 4, at 8:00pm, with a complimentary pre-performance wine and cheese reception starting at 7pm.

Unnecessary Farce takes place in side-by-side rooms at a cheap motel. In one, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the other, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. But mishaps arise when there is confusion as to who's in which room. Playwright Paul Slade Smith is a West Hartford native and graduate of Conard High School, has won nine regional theater awards for Unnecessary Farce, and most recently appeared on Broadway as Captain Hook in Finding Neverland.

Starrring in Unnecessary Farce are: Mike Boland (Playhouse on Park: LEND ME A TENOR; Broadway: AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE; Off-Broadway: THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE; National Tours: TWELVE ANGRY MEN, WEST SIDE STORY, ALL MY SONS; Hartford Stage: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) as Agent Frank, John-Patrick Driscoll (Off-Broadway: The Cherry Lane: MANIPULATION; La Mama Etc.: THE CHERRY ORCHARD SEQUEL; NY Classical: HAMLET, KING LEAR, MACBETH, RICHARD III; TV: THE BLACKLIST, BLUE BLOODS, HOUSE OF CARDS) as Todd, Will Hardyman (Pasoga Centre for the Arts: Katurian THE PILLOWMAN; Miles Square Theatre: Cristian, De Guiche CYRANO; Butch Honeywell THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT) as Eric Sheridan, Ruth Neaveill (Playhouse on Park: Lillian Troy I HATE HAMLET; The Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington, DC): THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, PRIVATE LIVES; Centenary Stage Company: Mrs. Garrick and Mrs. Barry A LAUGHING MATTER) as Mary Meekly, Everett O'Neil (Huntington Theater Co: Snug MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Arts Center of Coastal Carolina: Mr. Meeker INHERIT THE WIND and Judge Taylor TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) as Mayor Meekly, Julie Robles (Playhouse on Park debut! Regional: Triad Stage, The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. New York: La Mama E.T.C.) as Karen, and Susan Slotoroff (Playhouse on Park: THE DINING ROOM, Deirdre I HATE HAMLET,Shadowland Stages: Ruthie MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, Roz MOON OVER BUFFALO, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina: Maggie LEND ME A TENOR) as Billie.

Returning to The Playhouse to direct Unnecessary Farce is Russell Treyz. His latest NY work was The Gym at Judson: THE BONUS ARMY Mr Treyz has directed productions for Broadway, Off Broadway, and regional theaters across the nation. In New York, he won a Drama Desk Award and has directed productions for Playwright's Horizons, American Place Theater, La Mama ETC, and the Pearl Theater Co.

Unnecessary Farce runs through November 20, with previews on November 2 and 3. All preview seats are only $18! This show offers a specially priced Tuesday matinee on Tuesday, November 15, at 2:00pm. All seats for this performance are only $22.50 per person, reserved seating. In addition, there is a talk back with the cast after Sunday matinees.

Individual tickets are on sale now, ranging from $30 to $40. Seniors, Students, and Let's Go Arts Member discounts are available. All seats are reserved. For tickets or more information, call our box office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.

Photo credit: Meredith Atkinson

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