Robyn Berg Directs LEADING LADIES To Open Lipscomb University Theatre's New Season

Could Robyn Berg lay claim to the title of the hardest working woman in show business? She could certainly stake a claim given her burgeoning Nashville theater resume. Since her arrival in town - just two years ago - she's directed Lipscomb University's critically acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman while also teaching at the university, starred in productions from Rhubarb Theater Company, played Hannah Jelks in ACT 1's production of Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana, starred in Actors Bridge Ensemble's production of John Patrick Shanley's Sailor's Song, and has proven herself a vital - and much sought-after - member of the local theatrical scene.

And, obviously, she has a sense of humor, which will be on full display in the upcoming Lipscomb University production of Ken Ludwig's Leading Ladies, "a hilarious comedy" in which two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so far down on their luck that they find themselves working the Moose Lodge Circuit (Moose Lodge Circuit? Who knew?) in Pennsylvania's Amish Country.

"When they hear than an old lady in York, Pennsylvania, is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long-lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash," a press release says. "The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces! That doesn't stop them, though, from trying to pass themselves off as 'Maxine and Stephanie.'"

"Rehearsals are great!" Berg says. "The students have really embodied the nature of farce - getting the comedy into their bodies and keeping the pace tight. The 'leading ladies' are two of our leading senior males, who have a wonderful rapport with each other, which helps their characters out immensely."

Berg directs a cast filled with veterans of Lipscomb University and Nashville area productions in the farce by Ludwig, who has scored big-time with his Broadway comedies Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo (not to mention, the book for the Gershwin musical Crazy For You). Sawyer Wallace and Caleb Pritchett, both stage veterans at LU, are cast in the pivotal roles of Leo and Jack. Other cast members include Stefani Paige, Rachel Hacker, Josh Martin, Tiana Turner, Grafton Thurman, Nick Hogan and Justin Tays.

"After directing the world's greatest tragedy [Death of a Salesman] here in 2009, I really wanted to do something light-hearted," Berg explains. "This led me to Ken Ludwig - a master comic playwright. I sorted through many of his scripts, but loved the Shakespeare involved in this script - especially as many of the cast members had taken my Period Styles class the semester beforehand, where we toyed with the Bard."

The resulting production of Leading Ladies, Berg predicts, should be a delight - once the all-important audience joins the actors. And how does she expect audiences to respond to the onstage hilarity? "I am starting to bring outsiders into the rehearsals so that we can figure just how the story can persevere among the laughter, so I'll let you know once I figure it out myself!"

Leading Ladies runs at Lipscomb University's Shamblin Theatre, on the university's Green Hills campus, September 23-October 1, with a 7 p.m. curtain for performances on September 23, 24 and 30 and October 1; and matinees are slated for September 25 and October 2 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for individuals, $10 for faculty and $5 for students. For reservations, call the Allen Arena box office at Lipscomb at (615) 966-7075.