The Tale of the Allergist's Wife
By Charles Busch
Directed by Kenny Green
In this comedic take on middle-age, Marjorie, the wife of a philanthropic allergist, is engulfed in a life crisis. Her children are grown, her beloved therapist died recently and her mother grates on her nerves. She tries to lose herself in a world of art galleries, foreign films and avant guarde theater, but finds she is barely able to rouse herself from her sofa. Her spirits suddenly soar when a fascinating and incredibly worldly friend from her childhood appears on her doorstep. Lee, the savior that infuses Marjorie with life, becomes Lee, the unwelcome and sinister guest.
Note: This show has been rated "R" for language and sexual situations.
Tickets $13 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+) and juniors (18 and
younger).
Raza Begg (Mohammed) is new to the GLCT stage. However, he
comes from three generations of film makers and is an accomplished actor,
documentarian, writer, published poet, musician/song writer, TV host, film
producer/director, dance coach and dance champion. Raza is the grandson of
the film writer Shams Lucknowi and also the grandson of Indian actor Mirza
M. Begg "Nemo", so he comes by his stage skills honestly. When not
dabbling in his artistic pursuits, including acting, Raza is CEO of his
company's US affiliate.
Nancy Ewing Friedman (Marjorie) is so ver clempt at
being on stage again at GLCT she could just plotz. She considers
the meshuginah folks here at GLCT to be her mishpachah.
She is kvelling about playing Marjorie and is shepping
naches from working with Kenny. She sends out a big ole mazel
tov to her cast mates and wishes the entire audience gay ga zinta
hate. She sends a load of libn to her shaina
boychick Spencer and the mensch in her life, Harry. In other
words -- Nancy Ewing Friedman is so choked up to be back at GLCT she could
just burst. She considers all the "crazies" here at GLCT to be her family.
She is filled with pride to be playing Marjorie and is getting great joy
from working with Kenny. She wants to send good wishes to her entire cast
and crew and wishes the audience to go in good health. She sends loads of
love to her beautiful boy Spencer and the wonderful man in her life,
Harry. By the way, you may recognize Nancy from some of her earlier roles
here at GLCT such as Momma Rose in Gypsy, Miss Maudie in To Kill a
Mockingbird or Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. She has
also been seen as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn in The Music Man, Florence in
The Female Odd Couple and about a hundred other plays around the DFW
area.
Sue Ellen Love (Lee) is absolutely delighted to make this her
debut at Greater Lewisville - to rub elbows, finally, with George!
Recently, she portrayed Rhonda Lynn at Runway Theatre in Southern
Hospitality. For her portrayal as Mrs. Graves, also at Runway, in
Enchanted April, she was honored with a Dooley Award. Other favorite roles
were Sheila in Jake's Women and Julia Farnsworth in Heaven Can Wait at
ICT, Kitty in Six Degrees of Separation at Theatre Arlington, Rachel in As
It Is in Heaven at FW Arts Center Theatre Festival, Barbara Gordon in
Nuptials at Onstage in Bedfor, and her all time favorite: an ensemble role
in Jesus Christ Superstar at Main Street Theatre. Sue Ellen is most
thankful to director and friend, Kenny Green. He is challenged to coerce
and coax a character out of her who, hopefully, delights the audience.
"Thanks to all of you in the audience today for being here and supporting
the Arts."
Terri Hagar Scherer (Frieda) is excited to be back at GLCT as a
member of this wonderful cast. An actress, director, choreographer and
entrepreneur, she has been active in the local arts and business scene
since moving to Grapevine in 1972. She was last onstage at GLCT as Kate in
Sylvia. On the other side of the boards this season, she directed
Always...Patsy Cline, choreographed The Rocky Horror Show and will direct
the upcoming hilarious musical Urinetown. Most recently she played the
role of Miss Maudie in To Kill A Mockingbird at Grapevine's Runway
Theatre. Terri lives in Southlake with her wonderful husband Hugh and two
very loved Boston terriers.
Damon Wadyko (Ira) is thrilled to be making his Lewisville
debut in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. Previously appearing in Denton
Community Theatre productions of Don't Dress For Dinner, To Kill a
Mockingbird, Arsenic and Old Lace and Plaza Suite, among many others,
Damon also served as assistant director for Dracula. He could also be
heard as The DJ in NCTC's production of Steel Magnolias and seen as The
Queen Mother in Shoe Boy for Fight Boy Theatre. He is a founding member of
PROD (Play Readers of Denton) and a member of the play selection committee
for Denton Community Theatre. Damon would like to dedicate this
performance to his mother, Elaine, for reading to him The Little Train
That Could. "I think I can, I think I can…"
Kenny Green (Director) has his directing debut at Greater
Lewisville Community Theatre with this production. Having acted in two of
Charles Busch's plays at Sage and Silo Theatre, he has longed for the
opportunity to direct one of the playwright's shows. Another dream of his
has been filled by this theater. He has acted on numerous
Tarrant County stages and just finished portraying Bob Ewell in Runway
Theatre's production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Other favorite stage roles
have been Arnold in The Boys Next Door, John and James Jekyll in
Love!Valour!Compassion! and Tom/Leslie/Phyllis in Sylvia. Away from the
theater, Kenny manages the Lewisville Borders Bookstore and is an avid
organic gardener. He also does voiceover and can currently be heard
playing FU in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood at 11 o'clock Saturday
nights on The Cartoon Network channel.
Connie Salsman Assistant Director/Stage Manager) has enjoyed
working with Kenny on his first outing at GLCT. Often seen backstage, she
most recently directed her ninth show for GLCT, A Tuna Christmas. For most
shows, Connie works behind the scenes as producer, a glamorous title that
means "whatever it takes to get it done." She was last out on the stage as
Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice. Connie is blessed with a
great family. Her husband, Rick, is her strongest supporter. Her Dad, Bo
Jackson, is her go-to guy for set construction (thanks, Dad). Her grandson
Aidan is her theater pal. And the rest of the family is always ready to
help. Without them, the whole shebang would be pointless.
John Damian, Sr. (Technical Director) has had the pleasure of
working at GLCT for nearly 10 years. John has been lighting designer
for many of GLCT's shows. He has served as Technical Director
for most of the shows at GLCT over the past several years, including
this season's The Rocky Horror Show . He also serves as Facilities Manager
for the theater, where he is continually involved with many renovation
projects. He assisted with the recently completed HVAC improvements
that will make the theater much more comfortable next summer. John
realizes that without his wife and family's support, he would not be able
to continue to enjoy this wondrous adventure.
Showtimes: Friday & Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., Sunday
afternoons at 3:00 p.m.