TheatreSquared to Offer Fresh take on a French Farce with THE DINGDONG

A fresh adaptation of a classic French farce - with a script developed in Northwest Arkansas before its Off-Broadway premiere last spring - begins a monthlong, madcap production at TheatreSquared next week.

In Mark Shanahan's The Dingdong, adapted from Georges Feydeau's Le Dindon, audiences will dive headfirst into the comic misadventures of one night spent in two Parisian hotels. Lucy and Vatelin, a mostly faithful couple, are each tempted by sly suitors and femmes fatales, but soon learn how opening the wrong door in the dark of night can lead to mayhem, laughter, and some unlikely revelations about the secret to a happy marriage.

Playwright Mark Shanahan, a frequent T2 collaborator, directed Peter and the Starcatcher and Around the World in 80 Days for T2. Morgan Hicks, whose past comic hits for T2 include Murder for Two, Noises Off, and Boeing-Boeing, directs The Dingdong.

Performances are scheduled for May 10-June 4, 2017, with tickets ($15-$45) available at theatre2.org or (479) 443-5600.

"Here's a French export that's fizzier than Champagne," said T2 Artistic Director Robert Ford. "The Dingdong walks a theatrical tightrope-balancing slapstick, wordplay, and beaucoup theatrical tricks with genuine humanity and romance. And of course, there are delightful surprises behind every closed door."

The cast for The Dingdong includes Greg Jackson, who covered the roles of the many-(dis)membered D'Ysquith family on Broadway in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder; Jordan Haynes, who appeared in Noises Off and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at T2 and worked as an actor and improviser for The Second City Works; Rebecca Rivas, who appeared in T2's Reason's to Be Pretty; Bruce Warren, who appeared in Peter and the Starcatcher and Around the World in 80 Days at T2; and Shannon Leigh Webber, who appeared in T2's 4,000 Miles.

The lead creative team includes scenic designer Shawn Irish, costume designer Patricia Martin, lighting designer David Stoughton, sound designer Will Eubanks, assistant costume designer Ruby Kemph, properties master Brodie Jasch, and production stage manager David A. Loranca.

Director Morgan Hicks previously directed Murder for Two, Noises Off, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Boeing Boeing, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),The Mystery of Irma Vep, and Fully Committed for T2, along with the Arkansas Schools Tour productions of The History Show and The Poe Show. She serves as T2's director of education and program development, and previously served as general manager of Writer's Theatre in Chicago and company manager of BareStage. She holds a BFA in acting from Arkansas State University, an MA in performance studies from Missouri State University, an MFA in directing from the University of Arkansas, and studied political theatre at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.

Playwright Mark Shanahan's directing work has been seen at The Alley Theatre, The Westport Country Playhouse, The Fulton Opera House, Merrimack Rep, Florida Rep, The Cape Playhouse, The Weston Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, Penguin Rep, The Hangar Theatre, and many more. As an actor, he has performed On and Off Broadway (The 39 Steps, Tryst, Checkers) and at numerous regional theaters including the Kennedy Center, The Denver Center, The Alley, Hartford Theatreworks, The Westport Country Playhouse and others. The Dingdong was workshopped at the 2015 Arkansas New Play Festival before opening Off-Broadway at The Pearl Theatre in New York City and making its regional premiere at Florida Repertory Theatre, both in 2016. He is a graduate oF Brown University and holds an MA from Fordham University, where he also teaches.

TheatreSquared's production is made possible in part with support from show sponsors Susan & Orville Hall and Roger Collins.

Performances will run May 10-June 4, 2017, Wednesdays through Sundays at Walton Arts Center's Nadine Baum Studios (505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville, AR). Schedule: Monday-Tuesday No Performances; Wednesday-Friday 7:30pm; Saturday 2:00pm; 7:30pm; and Sunday 2:00pm. The Dingdong contains occasional adult language and references and is recommended for ages 13+. The approximate running time is two hours including one intermission. Tickets range from $15-$45 ($10/Under 30) and are available at (479) 443-5600 or online at theatre2.org.

Through T2's Lights Up! For Access program, supported by the Walmart Foundation, SNAP benefit recipients can purchase $5 tickets and patrons under the age of 30 can purchase $10 tickets and. For more, visit The Dingdong is made possible in part by show sponsors Susan & Orville Hall and Roger Collins.

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