Franklin Stage Company to Present Reading of Raucous New Adaptation of THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR

Franklin Stage Company will present a staged reading with music of Oded Gross' raucous adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's The Government Inspector, July 12 - 16 at Chapel Hall in Franklin, NY.

This classic Russian satire, is a rollicking comedy of political corruption, human vanity and mistaken identity. Originally published in 1836, The Government Inspector is no less relevant today than it was when it was first produced.

Playwright and songwriter Oded Gross gives the farce a modern shape and underscores the division between the haves and the have-nots with original songs. A native of Brooklyn, Gross has had his plays produced throughout the US and abroad, most notably at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Great Lakes Theater, The Theatre at Boston Court and The Moscow Art Theatre. In addition to The Government Inspector (aka The Inspector General), his adaptations include Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid and Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters. His adaptations, as well as his original productions, have garnered numerous Critics Picks and nominations including Best Adaptation by LA Weekly, BackStage West and LA Stage Times for The Government Inspector and LA Weekly's Critics "Pick Of The Week" for his original satire, Tragedy.

FSC Co-Artistic directors Patricia Buckley and Leslie Noble are especially thrilled to have the playwright on hand, not only for the Friday night talk-back, but as a member of the cast. An actor himself, Gross will read Khlestakov, the reprobate who's mistaken for the Government Inspector. "When we found out Oded was available," said Noble, "we jumped at the chance to include him in our cast."

Showtimes for The Government Inspector are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 5:00pm. Admission is free. (Donations gratefully accepted.) Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended. To reserve and for more information, visit www.franklinstagecompany.org or call 607-829-3700.