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| Above: SCC students Emily Singleton (Casey County) and Katie Lowe (Pulaski County) rehearse a scene from The Rivals. |
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| Above: SCC students James Rose (Pulaski County) and Katie Lowe (Pulaski County) rehearse a scene from The Rivals. |
Tickets may be purchased in advance for $4. Admission at the door is $6 per person. Advance tickets may be purchased at Somerset Community College beginning on November 5 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by contacting Sherry Crabtree by phone at (606) 451-6766 or email at Sherry.Crabtree@kctcs.edu.
The play is written by one of the most popular playwrights of Restoration England, Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It follows the exploits of a quirky set of characters in the city of Bath, England. The hilarious misunderstandings and bizarre coincidences in the play have made The Rivals one of the most enduring comedies of the British theatre.
The story revolves around the unusual courting habits of two sets of lovers. Captain Jack Absolute, played by SCC Library Specialist Aaron Whitehead, is in love with a local girl by the name of Miss Lydia Languish, played by SCC Theatre major Emily Singleton. In order to win the romantic young girl’s hand, Jack has wooed her under the alias of Ensign Beverly. Lydia is attracted to the lowly Ensign due to the fact that she knows that her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, would object.
The grand comical character of Mrs. Malaprop will be played by SCC Theatre veteran Theresa Jean Kibby. Playwright Sheridan’s creation was also responsible for coining the phrase “malapropism;” the comically unfortunate tendency on the part of some people to mangle the English language in an attempt to sound intelligent.
The other couple, Mr. Faulkland and Miss Julia Melville, were joined in an arranged marriage. Though the two were attracted to one another before the marriage was arranged, Faulkland now has doubts about Julia’s commitment to their impending union. The role of Faulkland and Julia are played by SCC Theatre students James Rose and Katie Lowe.
The proceedings are spiced up by two older suitors to the young Lydia Languish, Bob Acres and Sir Lucius O’Trigger. Though fast friends, little do they realize that they are also rivals for Lydia’s hand. The role of Bob Acres is played by long-time SCC Theatre performer Dexter Silvers. The role of O’Trigger, the Irishman of dubious nobility, is played by John Neikirk.
Adding to the hilarity are Sir Anthony Absolute, Jack’s clueless father, and Lydia’s devious maid, Lucy. Local theatre stalwart, Greg Moore, will play the role of Sir Anthony and Erica Phelps takes the part of Lucy.
The production is under the direction of SCC Theatre Professor Steve Cleberg with costumes designed by Sherry Crabtree. Dana Floro is serving as the production’s stage manager and Nicky Melendez will operate lights and sound for the production.
For regular updates on the program, “like” the Somerset Community College Film & Theatre Facebook page.