STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes with Sierra Rep's THERE GOES THE BRIDE

Join Sierra Rep for a fun and frantic wedding day like no other as it presents There Goes the Bride, a mad-cap dash to the altar with an unexpected twist. The comedy by British playwrights Ray Cooney and John Chapman and directed by SRT's Dennis Jones plays at SRT's East Sonora theater now through September 2. Check out behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast in the video!

The show opens on a frazzled morning at the home of ad man Timothy Westerby and his wife, Ursula. It's circa 1962, and the Westerby's only daughter, Judy, will be married in an hour. The church is filling with guests across town as caterers are setting up in the yard. Judy's in-laws-to-be, arriving from Australia, appear to be lost in transit. Tim's biggest client keeps calling, demanding to be dazzled by a new ad campaign, or else. His wise-cracking partner would rather hit the liquor cabinet than lift a finger. And Ursula's parents just manage to make everything more stressful. Then Tim gets a conk on the head that puts a whole new spin on the day – the vivacious young flapper he dreamed up for his new ad campaign has suddenly come to life in his living room. She's Polly Perkins – flirty, full of fun and a figment of his imagination. Tim is smitten by this mischievous young friend, but it's clear only he (and the audience) can see her. No one wants to disrupt his daughter's wedding, but Tim's bizarre behavior soon has everyone reeling. As the clock ticks and nerves fray, the generation gap splits everything wide open.

Jones has put together a talented ensemble with great comic instincts. Los Angeles artist Jaxon Duff Gwillim is the father of the bride, Sacramento's Sandra McCord is his wife and New Yorker Chelsea Nenni is his imaginary flapper, Polly. Bay Area artist Katie Rose Krueger is daughter Judy, local favorite Gary Holman is the future father-in-law and SRT company artist Ty Smith is the family's friend and fellow ad man, Bill Shorter. Veteran actor Don Hart of Illinois is the loveable and slightly confused grandfather, Dr. Drimmond, and Sonora actress Susan Michaels is his wife, Daphne.

Guest costumer Rebecca Meredith, an assistant costumer at South Coast Rep and new graduate of UC Irvine's graduate costuming program, is creating the wedding day formal wear and flapper outfits. SRT's artists fill out the design team, with props by Mercy De Herrera, lights by guest designer Joanna Hobbs and stage management by Lia Metz.

SRT's production of There Goes the Bride is presented with the help of Silver Partner, The Union Democrat, and two underwriters, Twain Harte Market and Twain Harte Pharmacy.

There Goes the Bride opens Friday, July 27 and plays through Sunday, September 2 at SRT's East Sonora stage. A special "Talk Back" discussion with the cast will be held after the performance on Thursday, August 9. This show is rated PG for audiences age 10 and up. For more information on content and show dates, or to make reservations, visit Sierra Rep at www.sierrarep.org.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.