'Born Yesterday' A Perfect Election Season Comedy

By: Beau Higgins Oct. 20, 2008

Florida Rep Opens Election Season Comedy, Born Yesterday

Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of the second play in its eleventh season, Born Yesterday, that runs October 24 to November 16.

Born Yesterday is a comic love story set against the background of post-war Washington politics. As funny as it is political, and touching as it is relevant, it is a perfect play for the heated 2008 election season.

(Photo Via FL Rep)

"This play is a great fable, and it takes us back to a more glamorous time," said director and Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo. "We all like a story where the good guy wins in the end. It's the perfect time for a play about big, greedy business trying to take over the American system. There couldn't be a more perfect or funnier play."

Born Yesterday is the play that made Judy Holiday famous, and the film adaptation launched her into stardom. Her performance as Billie won her both the Tony Award and the Oscar. It is the story of what happens when Harry Brock, a corrupt tycoon, comes to Washington with his showgirl mistress, Billie, in tow. When her naïvete threatens to undermine his shady business dealings, Harry hires Paull Verrall to teach her the ropes. But Billie learns more than Harry bargained for.

The Cast features James Clarke and Deanna Gibson as Harry Brock and Billie Dawn, and Brendan Powers as Paul Verrall. Both Clarke and Gibson have had long relationships with the Asolo Rep in Sarasota, and Gibson was seen last season in Florida Rep's Almost, Maine. Powers, a Boston native and now Florida Rep regular, was seen most recently as Tom in The Glass Menagerie and in last season's Doubt and Breaking Legs.

Florida Rep's new Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli and Associate Producer Carrie Lund, will also be featured as performers. Clavelli was seen onstage in last season's Stones in His Pockets and directed Almost Maine and The Glass Menagerie, while Lund was last seen in Florida Rep's 2007 productions, Rabbit Hole and Enchanted April.

Also featured in The Cast are Scott Bennett, seen in Florida Rep's inaugural production of Noises Off!, local actors J. Mitchell Haley (Breaking Legs), Mimi Tincher and Bruce Somerville (Moon Over Buffalo, My Three Angels) and Florida Rep's Acting Interns, Trey Gerrald, Jessica Leach, Mary-Margaret Roberts and Patrick Simone.

Robert Cacioppo, no stranger to the script having directed it at the Pirate Playhouse on Sanibel in 1997, directs the production, and is joined by a creative team that includes set designer Sean McClelland (Moon Over Buffalo, Breaking Legs), lighting designer Matt McCarthy making his Florida Rep debut and resident costumer, Roberta Malcolm.

"Born Yesterday is a classic American comedy," Cacioppo finished, "it shows us why blonde jokes are so short - so men can understand them."

Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin plays at Florida Rep October 24 - November 16, 2008. Performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8pm, with 2pm matinees on Wed., Sun. and selected Saturdays with a Twilight Performance at 7pm on Sunday, October 26.

Tickets are now available online at www.floridarep.org.

Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office (239.332.4488), or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org.

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