Photo Flash: French Farce Comes to Tacoma in WALTZ OF THE TOREADORS

This bitter farce is set in 1910 France. There we meet self-absorbed and blustery General Léon Saint-Pé and his infatuation with Ghislaine, a woman with whom he danced at a garrison ball some 17 years earlier. A married man trapped in a loveless marriage to his hypochondriac wife, the General pines for true love, his lost youth, and the courage to move forward.

Quite unexpectedly, Ghislaine appears at his door, demanding to finally start her life with him. But what will stand in his way of their happiness, other than his pompous self? Is the old waltzer now tripping over his own feet?

The Waltz of The Toreadors is a comic and tragic (is that possible?) story that weaves both humor and sadness as the aging general, who still fancies himself to be a toreador with the ladies, must deal with the hollowness of his life. It is rated PG for occasional sexual innuendo.

Dukesbay Productions is pleased to announce, for the first time, the hiring of a member of Actors' Equity Association, Eric Ray Anderson. A native of Tacoma, Mr. Anderson has had a long career performing on professional stages in Seattle and the surrounding area. Theatre companies he has performed with include The Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre and Tacoma Actors Guild. Mr. Anderson will play the lead role of General Saint-Pe.

Jean Anouilh's

The Waltz of The Toreadors

Directed by Randy Clark

March 24,25,26 and 30,31 and April 1,2 and 6,7,8,and 9, 2017

The Dukesbay Theater

(above The Grand Cinema)

508 S. Sixth Ave. #10

Tacoma, WA 98402

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm.

A special wine and cheese reception will be held (included in ticket price) on Opening Night, March 24.

Tickets are $10 - 15, which includes coffee and an assortment of baked goods.

For tickets: http://dukesbaywaltz.brownpapertickets.com

About Dukesbay Productions

Dukesbay Productions was founded in 2011 by Tacoma theatre artists Randy Clark and Aya Hashiguchi Clark. Randy has been active in the Tacoma theatre scene as an actor and director since the 1970s. His work has been seen at Lakewood Playhouse, Tacoma Little Theatre and Theatre NW. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Tacoma Little Theatre. Aya has appeared at several Seattle/Tacoma theatres, including Tacoma Little Theatre, ReAct Theatre, SIS Productions, Renton Civic Theatre, Tacoma Musical Playhouse and Lakewood Playhouse, and served as producer for 8 plays and a Playwrights Festival for Burien Little Theatre.

Dukesbay Productions' mission is to promote independent theatre in Tacoma and to showcase the works of theatre artists of all ethnicities.

Their company's website is located at:.dukesbay.org.

About the Playwright

Jean Anouilh was a French dramatist whose career spanned five decades. Though his work ranged from high drama to absurdist farce, Anouilh is best known for his 1943 play Antigone. One of France's most prolific writers after World War II, much of Anouilh's work deals with themes of maintaining integrity in a world of moral compromise.

About the Cast

The Waltz of The Toreadors features the talents of a multi-racial cast, who include Eric Ray Anderson,* and also features Joseph Grant, Aya Hashiguchi, Audrey Montague, Kathryn Grace Philbrook, Tim Takechi, Maria Valenzuela, Jackie Villava-Cua and Jeffery Weaver.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance Contract.

Photo Credit: Jason Ganwich