Theatre Memphis to Present THE ROYAL FAMILY, 8/16-9/1

The Royal Family, a classic comedy set in the home of Broadway's most legendary acting family of the century, takes center stage at Theatre Memphis on the Lohrey Stage as the Cavendish clan struggles with fame, egos and career-altering decisions. Playing August 16 - September 1, 2013, three generations of actors act out with outrageous road bumps and hilarious mix-ups that are the daily fare for this eccentric, lovable group of stars and the supporting players in their lives.

Directing the comical chaos set in the 1920's, Jerry Chipman says, "When you hear, 'they don't make them like that anymore,' the topic could be The Royal Family. Written in a grand and glorious style, the show is 'big' in every way, the size of its cast for a straight play (14), its set (a wonderfully lived in two-story New York townhouse crowded with several decades of memories and memorabilia), and its characters -- a wildly self-dramatizing, self-indulgent multi generational family of actors. "

As life imitates art, starring in the production are some of Memphis' most recognized and "biggest" actors playing the principle roles. Karen Mason Riss portrays a legendary matriarch actress who keeps a tight rein on her brood while Christina Wellford Scott is the daughter who has found her own success in show business. The granddaughter who challenges the need to continue the family legacy is played by Natalie Jones. And the TM production contains a wonderful inside joke. "At one point," Chipman states, "Karen Riss as Fanny Cavendish says, 'May God strike me dead if I ever appear in an all-star revival.' She says the line seated dead center and she shares the stage with Wellford Scott, Jones, Barclay Roberts, Ann Sharp, Gregory Boller, Brian Everson, Jo Lynne Palmer, Gordon Ginsberg and Chris Sterling." All are stage veterans with long TM resumes and local theatre notoriety. "You gotta love the irony of theatre," he laughs. Other cast members include Laurie Boller Triston Causey, Evan McCarley and Russ Rinehart.

Theatre Memphis Executive Director Debbie Litch talks about The Royal Family with fondness. She says, "We wanted to open the season with something big; a comedy that would be an escape for our patrons." In recent years Theatre Memphis opened its season with a musical. "This year we wanted to step out a little a try to produce the same level of artistic excellence with the costumes and sets and staging ... to open the season with a smile. The Royal Family accomplishes all that."

Tickets are $25 adults, $15 students with valid ID, $10 children under 12. To order, call the box office at 901.682.8323, or visit www.theatrememphis.org.

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