Theater Company of Lafayette Presents THE NORWEGIANS, Now thru 5/23

Theater Company of Lafayette is proud to present the regional premiere of "The Norwegians," a play hailed by The New York Times as a "profane and playfully dark comedy that is often hysterical."

Written by C. Denby Swanson, and directed by TCL veteran Madge Montgomery, this quirky comedy revolves around two women, Olive and Betty, and the really, really nice gangsters - Norwegian hit men - they hire to whack their ex-boyfriends.

Neither Olive nor Betty were prepared for the Norwegian men they would fall in love with - the practical, warm, thoughtful, destructive, evil, jilting kind. It's not a bad business to be a hit man in Minnesota - 83 percent of your clients want to take out their ex (oofda!). Betty has referred Olive to Gus and Tor, a partnership in the whacking business. What Tor doesn't know is that Gus has been sleeping with the clients. What Olive doesn't know is that Gus is Betty's own ex, and she has already put out a hit on him with a Swiss firm. Can Betty call off the job in time to let Gus do his? Should she?

Montgomery was drawn to this biting comedy because of its dark humor. "The Norwegians" is an "Arsenic & Old Lace" for the next generation," says Montgomery. "It has quirky characters, an unraveling mystery, and fast paced, funny dialogue. In rehearsal, we love the opportunity to dive into an ensemble piece like this. The play pokes fun at cultural stereotypes and the natural inclination we have as Americans to assign responsibility for our eccentricities to our cultural heritage.

"Ammon K. Swofford, choreographer for TCL's most recent show, "Victor/Victoria", will be choreographing a Texas two-step dream sequence that is sure to be a stellar moment in the show," Montgomery adds."

Photo Credit: Brian Miller