The Silent Treatment

By D. Chapelle, Directed by Candi Pickering

8PM Fridays and Saturdays - - June 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, July 12, 13, 19, 20. Sunday Matinees 2pm. - - June 16, 23, and July14.

About the Show: Evil landlord Harlow Hovelmonger is about to throw the Angel sisters, Bethany and Lillith out of their home because they haven't been able to make their mortgage payments. When he finds out Bethany is about to inherit a fortune (which she doesn't know) he offers her a bet. If she can keep silent for a week, they can keep their home. If she loses the bet she has to marry him. With the encouragement of her sister, Lillith (who is not a mental giant), Bethany takes the bet. When her true love, Champ Braverman, returns to town she can't make him understand what is happening... apparently she was never good at charades. So how can Braverman help when he doesn't know what is going on? And why is the he hiding from the local authorities? Will Lillith help? And how about Hovelmonger's assistant, Emma? After all, she thought he was going to marry her? More twists, turns and complications than you can imagine ... and all designed for lots of boos and hisses for the villain, cheers for the hero and heroine and lots of laughs for all in THE SILENT TREATMENT.

Watch a Video Clip of The Silent Treatment

Faerie Tale Summer

Written and Directed by Blake Flores

Arden Playhouse is pleased to present this wonderful production twice on Saturdays June 29, July 6, 13, and 20 at 11 am and 1pm and once on Sundays June 30, July 7, 14, and 21 at 5pm.

About the Show: Playwright and director Blake Flores reaches into ancient myths, folklore and fairy tales to conjure a story that will excite and delight the young and young-at-heart with THE FAERIE TALE SUMMER.

In the long, bright days of mid-summer, the human world and the faerie world nearly touch...and magic can happen. When a would-be sorcerer’s apprentice casts a spell to turn a seamstress into a princess he accidentally opens a portal between this and the faerie world. His actions could upset the balance of the seasons. As the kings of summer and winter try to use the princess to gain control of the world to create only one year-round season, she begins to wonder if she’d rather be in the world of humans. Only with the guidance of the sorcerer are things turned back as they should be and the balance of the seasons restored.

Watch a Video Clip of Faerie Tale Summer

Be Happy

Written and Directed by Michael Messmer

BE HAPPY opened on August 23rd and continued on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm, except for Labor Day weekend until September 28th with Sunday matinees at 2pm on Sept. 8th and 15th.

About the Show: We all know what happiness is. Or do we? Have you ever really thought about it? Or maybe you shouldn’t think too much about it...because that’s what’s happened to Bruce Carver. And now he’s thinking about ending it all...simply because he can’t figure out what it means to be happy. Then he encounters a thief with a degree in philosophy. Really. And the game is afoot. Arden Playhouse is delighted to present BE HAPPY a devastatingly comic exploration of almost every idea anyone has ever had about what it means to be happy. And what can happen to people who over-analyze things until they become totally confused. In another original comedy by Michael Messmer, you have to wonder if he’s channeling Woody Allen or just poking fun at people who may be too smart for their own good.

Watch a Video Promo of BE HAPPY

Watch a Video Clip of Be Happy

Video Notes: Having twice failed to kill himself, Bruce is now on Plan C when he discovers Sally in his apartment (actually to steal but claiming to be from the gas company).

She refuses to help him commit suicide, but engages him in conversation about why he is unhappy.

They are joined by Sally's partner in crime (Kris) who is cynical about everything (including the idea of happiness) and provides an earthy counterpoint to Sally's philosophical views.

Further complicating the situation, Bruce's ex-fiancé (Marcy) arrives to find out what happened to his money (she's suing him for breach of promise). Although still angry at him, she provides details about Bruce and seems to be jealous of the relationship he's developed with Sally (seen in a battle over Bruce while he's stuck in the freezer).

As various ideas about what happiness really is are explored (and mostly rejected) an idea from an unlikely source begins to change his views. Sally discovers that she wants something more from life, Marcy discovers that Bruce has changed for the better and Kris tries to steal what she can.

Characters--
BRUCE: male, 30's to 40's; suicidal former market researcher
SALLY: female, same age as Bruce; thief with a degree in philosophy
KRIS: female, same age as Sally; thief who doesn't like to think
MARCY: female, 30's; Bruce's former fiancé

Crumme’s Capers Crossed

Written and directed by Blake Flores

Performance dates: Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m., October 5-27.

About the Show: Arden Playhouse is pleased to present Crumme’s Capers Crossed a hauntingly delightful Halloween adventure! Written and directed by Blake Flores and loosely based on Shakespeare’s Love’s Labors Lost, it tells the story of King Ferdinand’s attempt to start an “academy” with his lords Biron and Dumain. The plan is for all three to remain isolated for three years, to study without any distractions from the outside world. Unfortunately, the world won’t leave them alone. Princess Sharon and Lord Boyet urgently need money from the King to save the Princess’ father, and they go undercover to get it. At the same time, the King and his Lords are haunted by the villainous Duke Armado’s plans for the revenge of his own father’s untimely death. Add to that, the intervention of Lady Rosaline who is in disguise as a Page (and in turn as a peasant girl) and who may be working both sides. The King and Lords have their resolve tested as costumed characters, disguises, spirits and witches abound on All Hallows Eve in an all-ages story with a little Shakespearean flavor.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]

By Adam Long, Daniel Singer & Jess Winfield, directed by Blake Flores

Performance Dates: Oct. 11 and plays on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 through Nov. 9 with Sunday shows at 2pm on Oct. 20 and 27th.

About the Show: Arden Playhouse is pleased to present one of the zaniest, madcap adventures you can have in a theater with THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)[revised]. The longest running comedy in London's West End! Three wild and crazy guys take on the 37 plays of Shakespeare (and some of the sonnets, just for good measure) in less than two hours. Well, it may not be exactly the Shakespeare you remember from high school. This is more from a modern point of view. Lets call it Wild Bill Shakespeare. Few people realize what a connection he had to, say, football or a cooking show. Who knew he was responsible for the start of World War II? As The Today Show reviewer pointed out, “If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!” The New York Times called it “PITHIER THAN PYTHON. IRRESISTIBLE.” And the Montreal Gazette said it is “The funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime.” If you’ve seen the earlier version of this show, you’ll find the Revised version provides even more topical insanity. Our three crazy guys are Blake Flores, Chris Quandt and Drew Struck. And we shouldn’t forget, if William Shakespeare were alive today...he’d look very old.

Watch a Video Promo of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]

Arsenic and Old Lace

by Joseph Kesserling (Arsenic and Old Lace is presented by special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc., New York.), directed by Katie Pratt

Performance dates: Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., November 22 thru December 21 Sundays, December 1st and 8th at 2 p.m.

About the Show: The Brewsters are not your typical dysfunctional family with Jonathon (Kevin Kirtlan, rear center) a serial killer, Teddy (D.L.Shields, right) who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, Aunt Martha (Teresa Anhin, front right) and Aunt Abby (Monique McKisson, front left) who serve arsenic laced wine to old men, and finally, worst of all Mortimer (Jon Jackson) the theater critic all ready to give us a delightful evening in the Arden Playhouse production of Arsenic and Old Lace.

Sibling Schemes

by Michael Messmer

Performance dates: Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., January 24 thru February 15, Sundays: February 2 & 9 at 2 p.m.

About the Show: What can go wrong when a brother and sister try to manipulate each other to get their own way? Joanne needs her brother, Tad, back to help run the family business. He had been running it after his father died but hated the job and turned it over to his sister (who was actually better at it) with plans to become a monk. He’s coming for a weekend visit and she plans to convince him he doesn’t really want to be a monk by hiring an actress to play a sexy maid. He isn’t really interested in becoming a monk but doesn’t want to work in the family business again...so he’s asked an old college friend to join them and pretend to be a psychiatrist who has been treating him. And that's when all the hilarious chaos begins...

Watch a Video Clip of Sibling Schemes

Video Notes: What can go wrong when a brother and sister try to manipulate each other to get their own way? How they try to outwit each other makes for a riot of fun.

Joanne needs her brother, Tad, back to help run the family business. He had been running it after his father died but hated the job and turned it over to his sister (who was actually better at it) with plans to become a monk.

He's coming for a weekend visit and she plans to convince him he doesn't really want to be a monk by hiring an actress to play a sexy maid. He isn't really interested in becoming a monk but doesn't want to work in the family business again...so he's asked an old college friend (Richard) to join them and pretend to be a psychiatrist who has been treating him.

The sexy maid (Karla) is near-sighted but can't wear her contacts, is clumsy and hasn't a clue as to what she is supposed to do...and gets exposed to poison ivy while destroying everything she comes in contact with. And overseeing all of this is the housekeeper (Sidney) who is very serious about her job, dislikes all the scheming, has a tendency to speak her mind...and ends up in the middle of the chaos.

Characters--
Joanne: 40's to 50's, widow with a plan
Tad: her brother, 30's to 40's, has a plan of his own
Karla: the maid, late 20's to 30's, clumsy
Sidney: the housekeeper, 30's to 40's, serious-minded
Richard: the fake psychiatrist, 40's to 50's

One Boss Too Many

Adaptation by Michael Messmer, Directed by Candi Pickering

Performance Dates: 8PM Fridays and Saturdays - - March 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, April 4, 5, 11, 12. Sunday Matinees 2PM - - March 16 & 23.

About the Show: Arden Playhouse is delighted to present ONE BOSS TOO MANY, a modern adaptation by Michael Messmer of one of the world's great comedies Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters. It is the story of a pair of young lovers, one set from the old world and one from the new, whose lives are turned upside down by old ways and one guy too clever for his own good. At first all looks beautiful as Clarice Rotini is engaged to Robert Canneloni with the blessing of their parents, Carlo Rotini and Prof. Canneloni. But word soon arrives via the clever Vito Truffaldino that Bernardo Ravioli has arrived to have the old promise of his marriage to Clarice honored. All had heard that Bernardo had been killed and therefore, the promise no longer mattered. When Bernardo enters, apparently alive, it appears that the marriage of Clarice and Robert is impossible. But that's just the start of the mayhem. Bernardo is really his sister, Beatrice, in disguise. She has come from Italy as her brother to find her lover, Giorgio, who fled to America after killing Bernardo.At some point you may think you need a chart to keep up with all the twists and turns in the plot, but it really doesn't matter. The fun is watching how Vito creates a world of fanciful stories (okay, lets just call them lies) in order to save his job...and finally, save his neck. And see the beauty of true love winning out in spite of all...and that the scheming Vito finally gets what's coming to him.

Have a Nice Day

Written and Directed by Michael Messmer

This warm and funny look at who we are and what our world has become opened on Friday, April 25th. This was our last production, before closing our doors.

About the Show: What would you do if you’d spent months of back-breaking labor on the most important project of your life only to have someone shows up ready to demolish what you’ve built?

Amanda and Marv Dillon moved west to build their dream home (actually just a cabin in the mountains) and get away from all the rules and regulations of urban society. Although they don’t know anything about construction, they’ve been working for months building their new home. They’ve had help from Jo, a local contractor who is a taskmaster and has an endless supply of old sayings to keep the couple working. The job is so hard and frustrating that they’ve started giving names...not always nice names...to the sewer tiles, plasterboard and other things they’ve broken. But, in the process, they’ve become very attached to and proud of what they’ve accomplished.

Then they get a visit from Bobby and Tina, a brother and sister who are also the local building inspectors...and things get complicated very fast. For one thing, it turns out there is a bit of bad history between Tina and Jo. For another, it turns out that Jo doesn’t have a contractor’s license.

Although Jo has enough experience with Tina to know that the inspection can get ugly, it isn’t until Tina and Bobby start destructive testing that Amanda and Marv become alarmed. First, Marv has a painful encounter with Tina when he tries to stop Bobby from drilling in the sewer leach line he has just completed. But, when it appears that Tina is going to attack some of the sheetrock that Amanda has finally learned to install without breaking, Amanda acts to protect her walls and her home in a very dramatic way that turns everything upside down.

Watch a Video Clip of Have a Nice Day

Video Notes: What would you do if you'd spent months of back-breaking labor on the most important project of your life only to have someone show up ready to demolish what you've built because of a few rules?

Amanda and Marv Dillon moved west to build their dream home (actually just a cabin in the mountains) and get away from all the rules and regulations of urban society. Although they don't know anything about construction, they've been working for months building their new home. They've had help from Jo, a local contractor who is a taskmaster and has an endless supply of old sayings to keep the couple working.

The job is so hard and frustrating that they've started giving names...not always nice names...to the sewer tiles, plasterboard and other things they've broken. But, in the process, they've become very attached to and proud of what they've accomplished. Then they get a visit from Bobby and Tina, a brother and sister who are also the local building inspectors...and things get complicated very fast. For one thing, it turns out there is a bit of bad history between Tina and Jo. For another, it turns out that Jo doesn't have a contractor's license. Although Jo has enough experience with Tina to know that the inspection can get ugly, it isn't until Tina and Bobby start destructive testing that Amanda and Marv become alarmed.

First, Marv has a painful encounter with Tina when he tries to stop Bobby from drilling in the sewer leach line he has just completed. But, when it appears that Tina is going to attack some of the sheetrock that Amanda has finally learned to install without breaking, Amanda acts to protect her walls and her home in a very dramatic way that turns everything upside down.

Characters--
JO: female, 30's; all-around handy-person, plain talker
MARV: male, 40's to 50's; city-bred but trying to learn the rural life
AMANDA: female, 40's to 50's; Marv's wife, also not used to hard work
BOBBY: male, 30's; a building inspector for the county
TINA: female, older than Bobby (her brother); a building inspector