Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at THE EXPLORERS CLUB, Coming to Stage West

It's London, 1879, and The Explorers Club is in crisis. A woman has been proposed for membership! The members of this venerable club are in shock-who could imagine such a thing? What's really needed here is a good stiff drink, but unfortunately, they have the worst bartender in all of London. And this is just the beginning of the hijinks in Nell Benjamin's The Explorers Club, a co-production with WaterTower Theatre, beginning its 6-week Stage West run on Friday, November 28. (After the holidays, the play will move to WaterTower Theatre for a run from January 16-February 8.) BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The woman in question is Phyllida Spotte-Hume, who has discovered a legendary Lost City and brought back one of its natives, whom she has named Luigi. Unfortunately, when he is presented to the Queen, he slaps her, as is customary with his people. She is not amused, and chaos ensues, involving a cobra, a devoured guinea pig, Her Majesty's Guards, and the irate Irish Society. Can the club members find a way out of this mess? Can acting club president Lucius Fretway win the heart of Phyllida and get her admitted to membership? And can they finally find a decent bartender?

Jim Covault is directing the production, which features Stage West Co-Executive Producer Dana Schultes as Phyllida Spotte-Hume and Countess Glamorgan, and Business Manager Mark Shum as Professor Walling; the two recently starred in Stage West's Beyond Therapy. Michael Corolla, most recently seen as John Joad in Oklahoma City Rep's The Grapes of Wrath, will play Professor Sloane, with Thomas Ward, who appeared as Michael in God of Carnage at the Zach Scott in Austin as missing explorer Harry Percy. John-Michael Marrs, seen as Alcippe in the Denver Center Theatre production of The Liar, will play Lucius, with Jeff McGee, seen as Muley et al in The Grapes of Wrath at WaterTower Theatre, as Sir Bernard Humphries. Cobra-loving Profesor Cope will be played by Aaron Roberts, just seen as Mike Ferris in Theatre Three's Hands on a Hard Body, while Michael Ulmer, who played Assault Weapon in The Gun Show at Skylight Theatre, will play the native Luigi. Kyle Igneczi, whose credits include PFC Ralphie Boland in Dogfight at WaterTower Theatre, will play the roles of Bebee and an Irish Assassin.

The set will be designed by Clare Floyd Devries, with lighting by Michael O'Brien and sound by Kellen Voss. Costume design will be handled by Michael Robinson and Dallas Costume Shoppe, with props and set décor by Lynn Lovett.

The Explorers Club will preview Friday, November 28 at 8:00, and will run through Sunday, January 4 (NO performance Christmas Day or New Year's Day; New Year's Eve is a special performance plus party with different pricing). Performance times will be Thursday evenings at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, with Sunday matinees at 3:00. The opening night reception will be Saturday, November 29. Ticket prices range from $30 to $34, with discounts for the preview performance, and for students, seniors, and military. Food service is available 90 minutes prior to performances (reservations are necessary), and the Friday Prix Fixe special (dinner and show for $42) will be available beginning December 5. Reservations and information are available through the Box Office (817-784-9378), or on the website, www.stagewest.org.

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