Season 47
Written by Caroline Smith
Directed by Roger Tredway
October 1 - 9, 2011
From the Director’s Chair: Award-winning playwright Caroline Smith won the 2005 Samuel French Canadian Playwright Award for her “Lucy and Ethel” inspired comic romp, The Kitchen Witches.

Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle are two “mature” cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years, ever since Larry Biddle dated one and married the other. When circumstances put them together on a TV show called The Kitchen Witches, the insults are flung harder than the food! Dolly’s long-suffering TV-producer son Stephen tries to keep them on track, but as long as Dolly’s dressing room is one inch closer to the set than Isobel’s, it’s a losing battle. The show becomes a smash hit as Dolly and Isobel top both Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer! It’s food, fights, fireworks and forgiveness.

You are now in a TV studio, a member of the live audience. YOU are a part of the play. Audience participation is welcome and encouraged. When you see the “Applause” sign, please applaud! You may be surprised at the ways you can participate in the show.

Cast: Anne Drake, Diana Roland, Russell Mack, Graham Miller
Adapted for the stage from Jonathan Lynn's film "Clue" by Anne O'Neemuss
Directed by Roseann Wilshere
November 5 - 13, 2011
From the Director: No Clue has been adapted for the stage from the film Clue. After studying the film and the screenplay, I recognized hints of Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians and realized that the writers of Clue based their story line on this original play. Later I saw the film Murder by Death and realized that Clue was also based on this film. So, No Clue is now an adaptation of a screenplay, adapted from the board game and adapted from the classic film Murder by Death adapted from Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie. Phew! After directing two serious Agatha Christie plays here at LLT I find it fitting that I get to make fun of myself and all murder mysteries with this hysterical send up.

Of course, I started with one of the most famous comedy writers of our time, Jonathan Lynn. His screenplay from the film has been fun to work with and his prolific career spans nearly four decades. He is most famous for the 1980's BBC phenomena YES, MINISTER and YES, PRIME MINISTER that initially propelled him to fame in his native Great Britain. He co-created and co-wrote all of the series' episodes, which lampooned his native country's political system.

The most exciting part of working on this play has been my wonderful cast and crew and collaboration with our fine screenplay adaptor Anne O’Neemus. We laughed so much rehearsing it and rewriting it for the stage that all I can hope is that you get at least as much out of watching it as we all did in creating it. Hats off to my wonderful cast and crew.

Cast: Wadsworth - Pat Carroll; Yvette - Candace Luciano; Mrs. Chow - Collette Clavadetscher; Colonel Mustard - Michael Warren; Mrs. White - Arleen Pace; Mrs. Peacock - Judy Long; Miss Scarlett - Kathleen Morris; Professor Plum - Mark Bennett; Mr. Green - Rick Napier; Mr. Boddy - Keith Scott; Motorist - Robert Jones; Cop - Dennis McCary; Telegram Girl - Gail Poppe; Evangelist Reg - Doresa; Policeman - Chet Beeswanger; Policeman - Richard Roche; Policeman - Peter Luciano
Written by Tom Dudzick
Directed by Peggy Lord Chilton
December 10 - 18, 2011
From the Director: When Greetings had its debut off-off Broadway in 1991 Stuart Duncan of Time Off wrote “Greetings is a play that only the critics will hate.” Sure enough the New York Times critic found much to criticize but other critics i.e. Clive Barnes, called it a comic jewel. Tom Dudzick, often referred to as the Catholic Neal Simon, is one of the few playwrights to make a living at it. Over The Tavern trilogy, Miracle on South Division Street, Don’t Talk to the Actors and Hail Mary are some of his other works all of which have had stunning successes. In Greetings he wraps the sensitive subjects of death, prejudice and objective versus subjective themes - without a mention of sex or drugs (imagine … a modern playwright who can work without using those crutches) into a warm, hilarious, touching and endearing comedy. Greetings is fast becoming a happy alternative to A Christmas Carol. So, suspend your skepticism, relax and enjoy this lovely family comedy. Miracles CAN happen ... really!

Cast: Andy Gorski - Kevin O’Byrne; Randy Stein - Sally Jo Bartlett; Phil Gorski - Kenneth Bridges; Emily Gorski - Amy Friend; Mickey Gorski - Keith Scott
Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Dave McIntosh
Assistant Director Ann Swiston
January 14 - 22, 2012
From the Director: How the Other Half Loves is a simple tale about relationships within and among three married couples. The original production was staged in the UK in 1969 and was a successful part of Alan Ayckbourn’s theatre in the round. In 1971 the play was modified for New York and ran for 700 performances.
What makes this play unique is its format and complex staging. The set is comprised of both the Foster’s and Phillips' households, superimposed one on the other. The audience will see two interwoven plays performed in two different locations, in one instance on two different days, all on the same stage at the same time. Only the telephone provides direct contact between the two homes. The action moves freely between the households – this occurs 75 times in Act I alone. Yet, fear not – the story line is simple, romantic and amusing. Good luck!
If you understand what is going on – and it is one of the Directors’ jobs to make things understandable to an audience – it will give us great satisfaction. If not you will find us at the bar most nights.

Reviews:
LLT Scores a Homer, By Jeanne Chausee
Excerpt, with permission, from Theater Review, by Jeanne Chaussee - Guadalajara Reporter, Jan. 21-27 2012
It was the typical farcical story – an illicit affair, mistaken identities, and a set with lots of doorways. Those were the only things typical about the Lakeside Little Theatre’s production of “How the Other Half Loves” by Alan Ayckbourn. From the get-go it is apparent that director Dave McIntosh is not only talented and experienced but has an uncanny sense of “the show”. The blocking, with two very different families in two different homes going through their daily routines and conversations at the same time while occupying the same space, could have been a recipe for frenetic disaster. However, McIntosh moved his players through the maze with nary a hitch and painted a pleasing, easy flowing, and at no time confusing, picture. McIntosh also proved his mettle, clearly directing his cast with a keen ear and eye but trusting them enough to pull back when necessary to allow them to humanize their characters to the max. Individuals in the cast actually became the characters. 

Each of the cast members, Kathleen Carlson, Collette Clavadetcher, Roger Larson, Russell Mack, Peter Luciano and Daphne Peerless turned in a performance at a nearly flawless level. It was Larson, however, who for this observer, stole the show. His interpretation of the absent-minded, somewhat dithering, naïve, but wily corporate executive has to be among the best ever at LLT- or maybe any other theater as well- so good that the audience began to anticipate his return to the scenes…

…Orchids to everyone involved in this truly superior production!...

Front Row Center, By Michael Warren  (OJO)
Brilliant! How The Other Half Loves is one of the best shows I have seen on the LLT stage. It’s a tour de force of theater which requires perfect timing and pace, and this cast delivers a truly stunning performance... The whole thing is tremendously entertaining.
Read the full review in the Feb. 2012 Ojo del Lago

Cast:  Fiona Foster - Kathleen Carlson; Teresa Phillips - Collette Clavadetscher; Frank Foster - Roger Larson; Bob Phillips - Russell Mack; William Detweiler - Peter Luciano; Mary Detweiler - Daphne Peerless
Staged & Directed by Barbara Clippinger
Choreography by Alexis Hoff
Music Co-ordinated by Patteye Simpson
February 25 - March 6, 2013
Director's Chair: I'm so excited to bring “A Taste of Broadway” to LLT. Musicals are always enjoyed by our audiences, they’re fun to do, and they give many people the opportunity to get involved. 

Alexis Hoff, Patteye Simpson, and I selected the music for the show and Emma Bergh Apton helped us find the back-tracks. I had an idea for “the hook” so I wrote a script and then my son, a professional comic, punched it up. Alexis and I divied up the choreography and staging, and Patteye taught the music and kept us organized. And that is how “A Taste of Broadway” was born. 

It has been a labor of love and I want to express my gratitude and esteem to the marvelous, hard working, talented cast and crew. I appreciate and am so grateful to Alexis and Patteye, my fabulous co-conspirators……….. who made it all happen!

P.S Four gifts were dropped from heaven to help put this on. Karen Eicher, Lynn Phelen, Rob Stupple and Flemming Halby……… Mil gracias!

Cast: Jim Lloyd; Alexis Hoff; Ann Loebach; Janet Lawson; Leslie Martin; Val Jones; Don DeCarl; Greg Clarke; Jim Donnelly; Joe Loebach; Lee Hitchcock; Patteye Simpson; Catherine Gonzales; Judy Hendrick; Helena Feldstein; Mac Morison; Betty Lloyd Robinson; Jeritza McCarter
by Michael & Susan Parker
Directed by Pat Carroll
Assistant Director Sally Jo Bartlett
Stage Manager Margo Eberly
Assistant Stage Manager Peter Luciano
April 7-13, 2012
From the Director: IT ALL STARTS WITH “BUD THE STUD” - A widow in her 60’s, Mrs. Stancliffe, runs a B & B. Her slightly older next-door neighbour nicknamed “Bud the Stud,” loves to woo any likely female guests of the B & B. Mrs. Stancliffe continues to be courted by another man, Henry, a retired chemist who has invented a little “blue” pill that he hopes will help sexually stimulate women in their menopausal years. Mrs. Stancliffe and her lady guests decide to turn the tables on the men. Then the fun begins!

Cast: Ray Himmelman, Roseann Wilshere, Zane Pumiglia, Georgette Richmond, Betty Lloyd Robinson, Candace Luciano
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