Varying from their usual repitoire, the Clarkston Village Players will present audiences with not one, but two completely different comedic performances in a single night as they present ‘An Evening of One-Act-Plays.?
‘The Actor’s Nightmare? by Rick Orloff revolves around a person who finds himself on stage replacing an injured actor. The performance becomes a series of plays within a play. CVP veteran Brian Taylor plays an actor who winds up playing parts that he has no clue about. Fortunately, Meg the stage manager (played by Linda Mishler) is available to assist him. Carol Taylor and Wendy Hedstrom play two women vying for the affections of the misplaced actor. Each character, including CVP newcomer Mike Cavin, plays several different characters from a variety of plays. Soon, the misplaced actor begins to think everything is just a dream, and hopes he will wake up before something ugly happens.
Unlike most CVP productions, there is no second act for ‘The Actor’s Nightmare.?
‘The Whole Shebang? by Christopher Durang asks the question, ‘What if the entire universe was just some nerd’s science project??
Jennifer Gentry Saulski, who CVP regulars may remember playing ‘Teacher? earlier this season in ‘Defying Gravity,? reverses roles and plays ‘Student,’presenting her project for a final grade. Her project, however, is the heavens and the Earth. She gives her final report to a panel of professors headed by the Dean (played by CVP veteran, Vern Vackaro). His assistants (played by CVP newcomers Beth Egan DeGuise and Ernesto Chavez) help the Dean evaluate the project. As part of the presentation, the student introduces two humans (played by Jerry and Linda Payton) as visual aids. However, the humans that arrive are not the subjects the student intended them to be. In fact, they’re the exact opposite. What follows is a bizarre experience for everyone involved, and when the final grade is given, more fireworks erupt.
Both performances feature different casts, but are directed by Joseph Mishler, who also works as the theater director for Holly High School. Mishler said both plays demonstrate absurdity in their humor and are very different from each other. Mishler also said there is nothing profane or inappropriate for children in either production.
Performances of ‘An Evening of One-Act Plays? are scheduled for May 5-7, 11-13 and 18-20. Show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for Friday and Saturday performances and $10 for Thursday and Sunday.
Tickets are available for purchase through www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org or by calling 248-625-2511. They are also available by leaving a message on the Clarkston Village Players ticket line at 248-625-8811.
Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the performance; however, availability can not be assured.