CAC to stage cross-dressing comedy Feb. 23

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Theater buffs beware, “Leading Ladies” are set to take the stage Tues., Feb. 23, as the next selection of entertainment sponsored by the Covington Arts Council.

Paula Harr, CAC director, said this is the second installment of the council’s four-performance season, which began in October with Celtic Crossroads.

“So now we get to go from music to comedy,” Harr said. “‘Leading Ladies’ is a really cute story. Everyone loves a comedy and this one is hilarious.”

Written by Ken Ludwig, “Leading Ladies” is a tale of mistaken identities, human foibles, and loves lost and found (not to mention cross-dressing) comes alive in a hilarious romp that has had great success in regional theaters across the country, according to the Web site for the show’s production company, Montana Repertory Theater.

“We are so excited to have Montana Rep coming to Andalusia,” Harr said. “These people are fabulous at what they do. The quality of this company is excellent, so I know they’re going to put on a fantastic show.”

Called “delightfully silly,” Leading Ladies follows the adventures of Jack and Leo, two down-on-their-luck

Shakespearean actors, who hope to scam their way out of the Moose Lodge circuit by posing as the long-lost nephews of Florence, an elderly and apparently dying heiress. When our heroes learn that Florence’s missing relatives are nieces, not nephews, they ransack their costume trunks and don women’s clothing––but their successful masquerade proves problematic when Leo falls head-over-heels for Florence’s winsome niece, Meg.

“I won’t tell you how it ends,” Harr said. “You’ll have to come out and see for yourself.”

The production’s curtain will rise on the LBW Community College’s Dixon Theater stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students and are available at Ansley Place, Brooks True Value Hardware and Harold’s Discount Furniture. They will also be available at the door.

Next on the CAC’s horizon is “Five by Design: Stay Tuned,” set for Mon., March 15.

The season will close out with “Food Fight: The Musical,” a parody in the vein of “Menopause: The Musical,” which will be Mon., May 3.