PORTLAND — Good Theater will open the Maine premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s delightfully wacky comedy “Mrs. Mannerly” beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29, and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 23.
“Mrs. Mannerly” is a play about an actress with a past who now teaches manners classes in Steubenville, Ohio. Her prize pupil is Jeffrey who hopes to be the first student ever to get a perfect score on Mrs. Mannerly’s final exam.
“Mrs. Mannerly” is inspired by the hilarious memories of a childhood etiquette class. Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher conjures up the world of a 10-year-old studying manners. Mrs. Mannerly is a demanding teacher, and no student in her 36 years of etiquette classes has achieved a perfect score. But when he discovers her secret past, Young Jeffrey is determined to be the first to achieve this feat. This unique comic tale reveals truths about the face we present and the real selves that lie inside.
Two Equity actors make up the cast. Kim Gordon is making her Good Theater debut as Mrs. Mannerly, and Michael Wood, who appeared in last year’s “Broadway at Good Theater,” plays Jeffrey as well as all of the other students in Mrs. Mannerly’s class.
Stephen Underwood, Good Theater’s co-founder, directs the production and designs the set. Michael Lynch is the production stage manager, Justin Cote is the costume designer, Iain Odlin is the lighting designer, Cheryl Dolan is the scenic artist/props artisan, Craig Robinson is the assistant technical director, and Brian P. Allen, Good Theater’s artistic director, produces the show.
Performances are Oct. 29-Nov. 23 with shows Wednesdays at 7 p.m.* ($20), Thursdays at 7 p.m. ($20), Fridays at 7:30 p.m. ($25), Saturdays at 3 p.m.* ($25), Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. ($28), and Sundays at 2 p.m. ($28). Wednesday evenings are Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 and Saturday matinees are Nov. 15 and 22 only.
Good Theater is the professional company in residence at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress Street. For tickets and more information, call 207-885-5883 or visit www.goodtheater.com.
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