Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse
By: Tyler Peterson Apr. 05, 2016
Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to present the second production of its 2016 season, Charley's Aunt, an energetic and fast-paced farce that follows two students at Oxford who force their friend and fellow student to pose as an aunt from Brazil.
Written by Brandon Thomas, Charley's Aunt follows two Victorian-era Oxford students Charley Wykeham and Jack Chesney as they recruit their wealthy playboy friend, Lord Fancourt Babberly, to impersonate Charley's Brazilian aunt, Donna Lucia, to chaperone a double date the pair have planned. Unbeknownst to the trio, Jack's father is after Donna Lucia's fortune, and the real Donna Lucia has come to town incognito to check up on her nephew.
The show is directed by theatre veteran Jeff Cartwright, who most recently directed Lend Me A Tenor and Leading Ladies at the Playhouse. "This play has a crazy, zany plot with outlandish characters and surprises around every corner," said Cartwright. "Now that spring is upon us, why not go with a hop and a skip into the garden? The cast of Charley's Aunt will meet you there!"
Bringing this farce to life, the cast members of Charley's Aunt include: Gene Ellis as Colonel Sir Francis Chesney; Ira Rappaport as Stephen Spettigue; Colin York as Jack Chesney; Paul Michel as Charles Wykeham; Steven Dincau as Lord Fancourt Babberly; Richard Foster as Brassett; Barbara Ellis as Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez; Jilly Harris as Kitty Verdun; Eileen Daub as Amy Spettigue; and Maura McErlean as Ela Delahay.
In addition to Cartwright, production staff members for Charley's Aunt include: Michele Robertson and Patt Roth, producers; Becky Jenkins, stage manager; Bruce Kissinger, lighting designer; Tim Banis, sound engineer; JoAnn Wallace, costumer; Paul Michel, set design and construction; and Renee Howard and Liz Junkin, properties.
The comic confusion reigns supreme in Charley's Aunt, running April 14-17 and April 21-24, 2016 at the Playhouse, located at 830 Cherry Drive, Hershey. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for teens/adults and $15 for kids ages 12 and under. Tickets are available by visiting www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com or by calling the Playhouse's box office at 717-533-8525.
Photos by Michael Feldser
.jpg "Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse")
Charley Wykeham (Paul Michel) and Jack Chesney (Colin York) detaining Lord Fancourt Babbertly (Steve Dincau).
.jpg "Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse")
Donna Lucia d' Alvadorez (Barbara Ellis) introducing Ela Delahay (Maura McErlean) to Sir Francis Chesney (Gene Ellis).
.jpg "Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse")
Sir Francis Chesney (Gene Ellis) in conversation with Stephen Spettigue (Ira Rappaport).
.jpg "Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse")
Brassett (Richard Foster) serving at Amy Spettigue's (Eileen Daub) house, along with Kitty Verdun (Jilly Harris), Charles Wykeham (Paul Michel) and Jack Chesney (Colin York).
.jpg "Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse")
Charley Wykeham (Paul Michel) pulling Lord Fancourt Babberly (Steve Dincau) out of window.
.jpg "Photo Flash: First Look at CHARLEY'S AUNT at Hershey Area Playhouse")
Lord Fancourt Babberly (Steve Dincau), Stephen Spettigue (Ira Rappaport), Kitty Verdun (Jilly Harris) and Amy Spettigue (Eileen Daub) having tea in the garden.
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