Footlight Players to Present TWENTIETH CENTURY, 5/2-18

The Footlight Players, South Carolina's longest-producing theatre company, is thrilled to present Twentieth Century, the story of a Broadway director and his quest to woo his former lover and star back to the Broadway Stage. Twentieth Century, by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, is newly adapted by Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor). Michael Locklair directs this madcap farce about egomaniacal Broadway director, Oscar Jaffe, who has a twenty hour train ride from Chicago to New York to convince, now Hollywood star, Lily Garland to return to Broadway in his upcoming show. Twentieth Century arrives on stage May 2 at 8:00 pm and May 3, 8, 9,10,15, 16 and 17 at 8:00 pm with matinees on May 11 & 18 at 3:00 pm.

Oscar Jaffe will do anything to get Lily Garland's signature on a contract for his latest play. He lies, cheats and even pretends to be dying. Adding to the chaos are Jaffe's longtime assistants, Ida Webb and Owen O'Malley, Lily's lover George and a religious fanatic who may or may not be a millionaire. Rounding out the cast are a doctor who happens to be a playwright, his mistress, a detective, the conductor , 2 porters and Max Jacobs, a producer intent on getting Lily in his play. The New Yorker calls it "A thrilling funhouse ride!"

Director Michael Locklair, a Summerville Native, received his MFA in Acting from Florida State University. After working as a professional actor in theatres from Maine to Florida, he returned to Charleston where he helped create Charleston County School of the Arts. Serving first as the theatre instructor, he eventually became the Fine Arts Director for all Arts areas at the school. Michael has been seen as either a performer or director with Charleston Stage Company, Footlight Players and The Village Playhouse. Even though this is the first time Michael has directed with Footlight, it is a homecoming of sorts. Footlight is where he took his first acting class with Footlight's own Emmett Robinson and later with Footlight's former Artistic Director , Dottie D'Anna.

The cast of Twentieth Century includes Hal Truesdale (Oscar Jaffe), Samantha Andrews (Lily Garland), Krissy McKown (Anita Highland), Karl Bunch (Dr. Grover Lockwood), Pam Fuqua (Porter), Billy Turner (Porter/Detective), Andrea Rausch (Ida Webb), Bill Terranova (Owen O'Malley), Christopher Dowling (Conductor), George Younts (Matthew Clark), Tyler Hill (George Smith), and Nat Jones (Beard/Max Jacobs).

Performances of Twentieth Century are May 2, 3, 8, 9,10,15,16 & 17 at 8:00 pm and May 11 & 18 at 3:00 pm. All performances will be held at the Footlight Players Theatre, 20 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $22 for military/seniors, and $15 for students and can be purchased online at www.FootlightPlayers.net or by calling (843) 722-4487.

Photo Credit: Richard Heffner