South Bend Civic Theatre Presents UNNECESSARY FARCE, 1/18-2/3

Writer Paul Slade Smith has crafted a fresh recipe for hilarity: take two inept cops on their first sting operation, a sexy accountant, a security agent afraid of his own shadow, a mayor with a habit of walking in on compromising positions, and a Scottish hit man complete with kilt and bagpipes and you have the ingredients for pure craziness! A new spin on classic farcical setups will have you laughing your pants off!

Director Richard Baxter (SBCT's Wait Until Dark, The 39 Steps, Moon Over Buffalo, A Flea in Her Ear) serves as ringleader for the madcap cast of Matthew Bell, Eva Cavadini, Tucker Curtis, Jason Gresl, Trish Himmelein, Bill Svelmoe, and Mary Toll.

Director Richard Baxter says: "Whenever I read a play, I'm always thrilled when a script can make me laugh through dialogue alone. Comedy is typically generated by visual elements such as slamming doors, disrobing, outrageous behavior- which are used effectively in this play. But it takes some effort in farce to sort out the traffic patterns as you read. Unnecessary Farce had me laughing right away- before I had a chance to visualize the action. The dialogue is quick, witty and rich in humor. Add eccentric characters, plot twists and tense circumstances and bagpipes....and you have a winner of a play. Unnecessary Farce opens in mid-January- usually a drab time of year- a time when we all need a really good laugh. This cast will deliver."

Performances are January 18 through February 3 in the Wilson Mainstage Auditorium at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main Street in South Bend. Tickets are $15 Wednesdays and Thursdays (7:30 PM), $18 Fridays, Saturdays (8:00 PM) and Sundays (3:00 PM). To purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at 574-234-1112 (open weekdays 12-6 PM) or go online at www.sbct.org.