LEADING LADIES
A comedy by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Rhonda Clark
Performs September 3-25, 2010
1st Read-thru on July 19 (no rehearsals August 2-7)
SYNOPSIS: Ken Ludwig keeps alive the humor of Philip Barry, Billy Wilder,
Preston Sturges and the Marx Brothers in this hilarious comedy by the author of
Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo. It’s 1958 and two
Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, are down on their luck, performing on
the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. On the train, they
hear that an ailing, elderly lady in York, PA wants to leave her fortune to her
two long lost English nephews. Jack and Leo decide to portray her relatives and
get the cash. Soon, they discover that the relatives are nieces, not nephews, so
they dive into their costume trunks to become women a la Some Like It Hot. When
Leo falls head-over-petticoats in love with Meg (the old lady’s niece who’s
already engaged) romantic entanglements, quick changes and near misses abound!
Meg longs for the wide world out there, and when she meets “Maxine and
Stephanie,” she finally gets a taste of it.
"Ludwig’s
newest farce is so funny, it will make sophisticated and reasonable men and
women of the 21st Century cackle till their faces hurt."
– Houston Press.
CAST: 5 Men, 3 Women with some doubling.
Meg Snider (30s) Florence’s niece; a vivacious young lady who is longing
for adventure.
Duncan Wooley
(late 30s-40s) a local minister who is engaged to Meg and is as interested in
her inheritance as he is in her; old-fashioned and stuffy.
Doc Myers
(50s-60s) A no-nonsense country doctor and the Chief Moose of the local lodge.
Frank (20s-30s) a
Moose with no patience for Shakespearean entertainment; this character doubles
as Butch.
Butch Myers
(20s-30s) Doc’s son and Audrey’s boyfriend who’s dim but kind-hearted. He’s also
best friends with Meg.
Leo Clark (30s)
Handsome Shakespearean actor. Falls in love with Meg. Some swordplay. British
accent required.
Jack Gable
(30s) Leo’s friend and acting partner; he’s a free-spirited and conniving
guy. Some swordplay. British accent.
Audrey (20) A
young, naïve bombshell, with a good-natured and energetic personality, and she
roller skates
Florence
(70s-80s) A rich, wily old woman with very poor eyesight. She exaggerates her
ailments for attention.
Director’s note:
This is a fast-paced, physical comedy. All of the characters are bigger than
life, but must be rooted in reality. Leo & Jack, in essence, must create
numerous characters, i.e. their Shakespeare characters, themselves as struggling
actors, and the ”ladies” Maxine & Stephanie. It’ll be a workout, but so much
fun!
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Updated:
July 11, 2010
