Westport Community Theatre Presents INSPECTING CAROL’s Last Weekend, 12/11-12/13

Inspecting Carol, opening Friday, November 27, can be described many ways; madcap, clever, satirical, farcical - and one of the funniest comedies that has hit the WCT stage.

"Stage" is an important word with this play - we don't want to give too much away, but we can guarantee you that you have never seen a WCT set quite like this one!
 
Written by Daniel Sullivan and the Seattle Repertory Company, "Inspecting Carol" will have you laughing out loud right from the opening moments. The Soapbox Playhouse, a regional theater company whose members are made up of various eccentric characters, is in the process of rehearsing their tired annual production of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol," their sure-fire money earner. When they are informed that their annual endowment grant is in question and an inspector will be coming to decide their fate, a case of mistaken identity turns a young aspiring actor of questionable talent into the star of their own interpretation of "A Christmas Carol." The plot unfolds in the classic traditon of farce - actors' egos, mistaken identities and a riotous version of a classic favorite provides for nonstop laughter.
 
We're delighted to have David L. Jackins directing for the first time at WCT, having performed here in 2007 as the Man in Veronica's Room and having directed Portrait of a Madonna here a while back. Dave holds a degree in Speech/Theatre/Communication from the University of Maine. He is a founding member of Crystal Theatre in Norwalk, and is the founder/director of Creative Summer at the Mead School, a multi-arts program for children, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. As an actor, Dave has appeared Off-Broadway and in stock and regional theatre. In addition, he is the author of the musicals Louder than Words and Without Passion or Prejudice, as well as being a frequent set and lighting designer.
 
The talented cast includes actors familiar to WCT audience along with many talented newcomers. John Bachelder is back at WCT in the role of the company's angry (and domineering) company Scrooge. Past roles include Joe Cantwell in The Best Man, Col. Jessup  in A Few Good Men,  Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock's Last Case,  Julian in The Unexpected Guest and Langley in The Dazzle. Marc Hartog, who had a memorable role as the Telephone Repair Man in our season opener Barefoot in the Park, appears as Kevin; previous WCT productions include Don't Drink the Water (Mr. Kilroy), A Few Good Men (Dr. Stone), Rumors (Ernie Cusack), Lend me a Tenor (Bellhop), Spider's Web, and The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.
 
Nancy Sinacori plays eccentric British actress Dorothy Tree-Hapgood, returning to WCT following her memorable performance as The Woman in Veronica's Room. Her other credits include Mildred Wild in The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild (Eastbound Theatre), Charlotte in Beyond Therapy  (The Carriage Barn Theatre in Norwalk), Fanny in Painting Churches (New Canaan Town Players), Actress #2 in The Dining Room (Bedford Community Theatre), M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias (Antrim Players, Suffern, NY), Flo in Summer Brave, and Thelma Cates in 'night Mother... both at Crystal Theatre in Norwalk. Jim Cooper, in the memorable role of Sidney Charlton, was seen in Don't Drink the Water this June at WCT; roles include Manfred in Sweet Charity (Wilton Playshop), Mr History in Glory Road (Debut Productions) Major Holmes in Secret Garden (Ridgefield Theater Barn) and Lieutenant Chomondeley in The Yeomen of the Guard (Troupers Light Opera).
 
Multi-talented Jessica Denes, producer of Inspecting Carol, is appearing on stage as well as behind-the-scenes. She directed last season's smash hit Master Class, and gave a powerful performance here as actress Joan Plowright in Orson's Shadow. Next up for Jessica is a directorial role at Eastbound Theatre with the very funny Love, Sex and the IRS.
 
Making their WCT debuts are Dainelle Testori-Gartner as Mary Jane (M.J.) McMann; Dainelle trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York City. Earlier this year, Dainelle was seen at WCT in the Experimental Theater Company's staged reading of The Little Dog Laughed as Ellen.  Jeremy Shockley (Wayne Wellacre) studied and performed improvisational acting at the acclaimed Peoples Improv Theater in New York City, and is also a musician. Fredda Takacs (Zorah Bloch) is well known to theatre-goers throughout Fairfield County. Past roles include Claire in Rumors and Helen in Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild both at Milford's Eastbound Theatre, and Chic in Crimes of the Heart at Stamford's Curtain Call.  She most recently performed at Playhouse on the Green in Twelve Angry Jurors.
 
Joining Freda in this production is her talented son Tom Takacs as Bart Frances. Tom portrayed Bobby in The Comet of St. Loomis at the Eastbound Theatre, and has been part of many productions behind and in front of the scenes including Confessions of a Dirty Blonde, Art, Breaking Legs, and The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wilde.  Sean Wallace  is seen as the comically deluded Phil Hewlit; having made his way from New York to Connecticut, Sean has been away from the stage for several years - we're delighted to have him at WCT.  AaRon Johnson (appearing as Walter E. Parsons) is making his post college debut on the stage after studying four year in the University of Connecticut BFA acting program. And rounding out the cast is 15-year-old Sam Bosha as Luther Beatty; Inspecting Carol is Sam's first "real" performance, and we're delighted it's at WCT!
 
Inspecting Carol runs Fridays and Saturdays November 27, 28, December 4, 5, and 12 at 8:00 PM; Sundays November 29, December 6 and 13 at 2:00 PM; and Thursday, December 3 at 8:00 PM. Please note - Inspecting Carol is not suitable for children under 12. Tickets range from $12 to $18. Groups of 10 or more enjoy a $2 per ticket discount, and there is a special "Student Rush" discount 10 minutes prior to performances for students of all ages with a valid student identification card. Contact the WCT Box Office at (203) 226-1983 for reservations or additional information; go to www.westportcommunitytheatre.com for driving directions. Westport Community Theatre is located at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT - 06880.