ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS Opens Tonight at the Phoenix Theatre

Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis announces the Indiana Premiere of One Man, Two Guvnors opening tonight, September 24, 2015 on the Steve and Livia Russell Stage. This production runs through October 18, with Rich Rand serving as director.

In this British update of the Italian classic The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, Francis Henshall gets more than he bargains for when he lands a job working for Stanly Stubbers, who has recently offed Roscoe Crabbe. Now it appears Roscoe is back from the dead, and Francis is working for him, too. What he doesn't know is that Roscoe is really his twin sister, Rachel, who also happens to be dating Stanley... Knee-slapping hijinks and witty antics abound in this topsy-turvy farce thick with satire, songs, and slapstick hilarity.

Richard Stockton Rand has acted on and off Broadway; in regional theatres in the United States, Europe and Canada; and in film for public television. He has written and toured one-person shows to 50 universities, theatres, and festivals, and received an Indiana Arts Commission-National Endowment for the Arts Artist Fellowship for his solo performance. In addition to his ongoing work as a professional director, actor and choreographer, Rich specializes in the integration of acting and characterization. He also teaches period styles, commedia dell'arte, clown, mask, combat, audition, and professional issues. He has and continues to lecture on the art of teaching, and on character and leadership. Rich has served as Chair, Interim Chair and Undergraduate Theatre Coordinator for Purdue University Theatre, as well as on more than 160 committees. Nationally, he has served as President of the Association of Theatre Movement Educators.

The cast includes Nathan Robbins as Francis Henshall, Rob Johansen as Harry Dangle/Alfie, Michael Hosp as Stanley Stubbers, Chelsea Anderson as Rachel/Roscoe Crabbe, Ben Rose as Lloyd Boateng, Chynna Fry as Pauline Clench, Bill Simmons as Charlie Clench, Tyler Ostrander as Alan Dangle, Jolene Moffatt as Dolly, and John Goodson as Gareth.

Nathan Robbins is returning to the Phoenix Theatre for the third time since appearing in The Cripple of Inishmaan and American Idiot. Michael Hosp is returning after a Phoenix debut in The Cripple of Inishmaan and currently serves as the Associate Artist Director of EclecticPond Theatre Company, and is a full-time actor/interpreter at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

Rob Johansen's Phoenix credits include The Cripple of Inishmann, Handler, The Action Against Sol Schumann, A Very Phoenix Xmas 7 and 9, and Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play. Rob has been seen in 42 shows at the Indiana Repertory Theatre over 18 seasons, including 12 appearances as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Rob is currently a Visiting Professor in the Department of Theatre at Indiana University.

Chelsea Anderson has worked as an actor and director with many great theatres like Forward Theater Company, Children's Theater of Madison, Theatre LILA, Great River Shakespeare Festival, and Heartland Actors Repertory Company. One Man, Two Guvnors marks her Phoenix debut. Ben Rose has appeared in seven NNPN Rolling World Premieres most recently River City, and Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea, both at the Phoenix Theatre, where he also works as Sales Director. Chynna Fry makes her Phoenix debut with One Man, Two Guvnors.

Bill Simmons made his Phoenix debut in Durang/Durang in 1998. Since then he has appeared in several Phoenix productions including A Number, The Action Against Sol Schumann and Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge. Bill also co-founded Indy Actors' Playground, an actor-centric monthly playreading series.

Tyler Ostrander is appearing in his third Phoenix show and second Phoenix season-opener, having been seen in Clark Gable Slept Here and The Cripple of Inishmaan. Jolene Moffatt returns to the Phoenix stage after previously appearing in Zippers of Zoomerville, Spring Awakening, and Typhoid Mary. John Goodson has previously appeared at the Phoenix in My Name is Asher Lev and Current Economic Conditions.

Richard Bean was educated at Hull Grammar School, and then studied Social Psychology at Loughborough University. He then worked an occupational psychologist, having previously worked in a bread plant for a year and a half after leaving school. Between 1989 and 1994, Bean also worked as a comedian and went on to be one of the writers and performers of the sketch show Control Group Six (BBC Radio) which was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. In 1995 he wrote the libretto for Stephen McNeff's opera Paradise of Fools, which premiered at the Unicorn Theatre.

One Man, Two Guvnors received widespread critical acclaim. The Guardian gave it 5 stars, saying that it was "A triumph of visual and verbal comedy. One of the funniest productions in the National's history." The Daily Telegraph described it as "the feelgood hit of the Summer." The Independent wrote that it is a "massive hit" and London's Evening Standard as "a surefire hit." The show won Best Play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for and the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for Best New Play in 2011, and is a seven-time Tony Award nominee.

Tickets for One Man, Two Guvnors are on sale now. Tickets are $27.00 per person on Thursdays and Sundays, $33.00 per person on Fridays and Saturdays, and $20.00 for anyone 21 & under. During CheapSeats Weekend, September 24-27, all tickets are $20. Tickets for One Man, Two Guvnors may be purchased by calling the box office at 317.635.7529 or visiting phoenixtheatre.org. Curtain times for the production are: Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.

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