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Inspecting CarolBig Laughs: ‘Carol’ is back for the Holidays
Okay. Okay. We give up! Due to popular demand, Stage 3 is charging up its comic dynamo and is getting ready to unleash it on the world once again. “Inspecting Carol” is back and more fun than ever!
For those who didn’t see this huge holiday hit the first time around, now’s your chance. Make your reservations early. We had turnaway crowds during our first run. Don’t miss it!
“Riotously funny.” said the Union Democrat. “An uproarious Christmas comedy…‘Inspecting Carol’ is pure bliss.” lauded the Modesto Bee. The New York Times found it “a breezy antidote to stock Christmas offerings. The breeze is heaven sent.”
The ‘Soap Box Playhouse’ is trying to mount its production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ for the umpteenth time. No problem. They could do it their sleep. What could possibly go wrong? The answer is, of course, everything…and then some. We can’t tell you much, suffice to say the comic results are…well…devastating.
From Zorah, the excitable artistic director (“She Lithuanian.”), to Larry, the leading actor who wants to perform the entire role of Scrooge in Spanish, to Luther, who has played Tiny Tim so long that Bob Cratchit can’t even lift him anymore, to Walter, the company’s first black actor who finds himself playing an all-white ghost, this hapless troupe of players finds itself in a mounting series of disasters and mistaken identities that will have you in stitches.
To make matters worse, the company finds itself flat broke with only one slim hope of survival. The National Endowment for the Arts is sending one last inspector to view their work. If only they can put on “the best damn ‘Carol’ the country has ever seen”, they will be saved. They do their best and the result is pure hilarity.
“I’d forgotten how good this play is.”, says Artistic Director Don Bilotti who also directed the play in 1998. “When I cracked it open again a few months ago, I found myself howling. And I almost never even chuckle while reading a script.”
“This is pure situational comedy, where one unfortunate circumstance gets piled on another and the more the characters try to make things better, the worse things get. The roles are delicious and it’s so much fun to work on. This cast has me rolling on the floor.”
Bilotti has assembled a first-rate troupe led by several returning cast members.
Maryann Curmi reprises her role as Zorah, the director. Curmi, who has made quite a name for herself as a multi-talented actor and director, returns with a vengeance to one of her favorite roles. “I’ve been looking forward to this all year.”, she says. “We’ve had a brilliant season and this is just icing on the cake. What a wonderful Christmas gift.” Her comic talents were last put to good use as Flo in our smash production of “The Odd Couple-Female Version!”
Sally McClellan also returns in her role as Dorothy Tree Hapgood, the daffy Grand Dame of the company. Her cast vocal warm up is worth the price of admission alone. McClellan is another Stage 3 veteran who recently played Olive in “The Odd Couple”.
Sarah Grimes-Emmons is MJ, the harried stage manager, Lillian McLeod is Kendra, the business manager trying to keep the company afloat. Michael Crich is Larry, the recalcitrant Scrooge. Nathan J. Yeisley is Wayne Wellacre, the data processor who wanders into the theater one day and finds himself the center of a hurricane. Stephen Daly is Sidney, who has incredibly bad luck with props. Sheamus Vaughn-Warde is Luther, the Tiny Tim who has outgrown the costume and the role. William Trier is Phil, who has a chronic bad back from carrying not-so-Tiny Tim. Joe Barnes is Walter, who hates his costumes “I look like Bigfoot up here”. Benjamin Adriano is Bart the silent stagehand. Making her theatrical debut is Rosemary Bell, the mystery guest.
This production is rated PG-13 for some comic adult language. If you had the same troubles as these folks, you’d cuss too.
Set design will be by Ron Cotnam with Lighting by Matthew Leamy. Bev Woodland will stage manage.
This production is partially underwritten by Associate Producer, Condor Earth Technologies.
“Inspecting Carol” will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from Nov. 16 through Dec. 22. Performances run Thursday through Sunday (no performance on Thanksgiving). Curtain times are 7 pm, Thursday, 8 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. Ticket prices are $12 Thursday, $15 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $12. Students always $10. Call 209 536 1778 for reservations and information.
