By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon
May 15, 2008 08:23 pm
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CONNEAUT — A bunch of zanies who rally to rescue their beloved home from the wrecking ball provide the laughs in “Foibles and Folly,” the latest stage production at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts, 1025 Buffalo St.
The comedy, by Michelle R. Davis, will be presented three times this weekend: Tonight at 7., a Saturday show preceded by a dessert buffet (6:30 p.m.) and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Reservations are required for the special Saturday show. Call 593-5888.
The story revolves around “Distinctive Manor,” the dilapidated home of a handful of —er, eccentric people, said director Tom Udell. When the residents learn their dwelling is scheduled to be sold, scrapped and replaced with a film studio, they take action with hilarious results, he said.
For the first time, a CCCA production has a sponsor, Udell said. Conneaut Collision Center has underwritten a portion of the show, helping to defray the cost of royalties and props, he said.
“We really appreciate the support,” Udell said.
“Foibles” continues a theatrical revival at the CCCA, spurred by Udell’s return to Conneaut a few years ago.
“This will be our seventh production,” he said. “We’ve done at least two a year.”
The CCCA tries to provide one interactive murder mystery and one comedy, both proven crowd-pleasers.
“Foibles” features a cast of 11 actors, including many who have appeared in other Udell-directed shows. Udell has said one of his goals was to mine Conneaut’s theatrical talent, and the results to date have been excellent.
“We’re trying to get Conneaut people interested in acting,” he said. “Most of our cast is from Conneaut.”
The veterans are learning plenty about stage acting over the years, and the improvement is evident in every show, Udell said. “You can see how much easier it’s coming to them,” he said.
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