AN INSPECTOR CALLS Opens at the Mendocino Theatre Company

The final leg of the Mendocino Theatre Company's 2016 "theatrical road trip" takes the audience to northern England , circa 1912. An Inspector Calls, by written in the 1940's by J.B. Priestley, is an ever-timely whodunit with a surprisingly relevant message.

The mysterious Inspector Goole interrupts the wealthy Birling family's dinner party to investigate the suicide of a young, working-class woman earlier that evening. What has this got to do with the Birlings? One by one, they will find out, as their shattering, dark secrets are revealed.

Directed by Dan Kozloff, the strong ensemble cast features long-time MTC favorite Bob Cohen as the Inspector; Lorry Lepaule, Raven Deerwater, Lily Fernandez, and Nicholas Barrett as the Birling family; CAndy Cole as the family's servant; and Patrick Gomes as the fiancé.

Carolyn Schneider's brilliantly-colored set--which includes artwork by Bill Yates and Karen Fenley and an unusual settee conceived by the director-- forms the perfect background for Corrine Riley's graphic black and white costumes, giving a decidedly stark, otherworldly edge to this classic drama.

An Inspector Calls, sponsored by the Marilyn G. & Clayton C. Daley, Jr. Family Fund, opens with two preview performances on November 3rd and 4th and runs through December 11 at the Mendocino Theatre Company on Little Lake Road. Tickets are available online at mendocinotheatre.org or by phoning the box office, 707-937-4477.

Photo of Lily Fernandez and Nicholas Barrett by Larry R. Wagner