Mischief begins Feb 28 at Union College Theatre

Clayton Maurer, left, and Marcus Aschraft, right, as Charley and Jack, preparing for a mischievous evening with Babbs, posing as Charley’s aunt and played by Tommy Ruth.

First performed in 1892, “Charley’s Aunt” has moved millions to tears of laughter. Union College Theatre’s production of this hilarious farce will open at Union’s Rector Little Theatre on Thursday, February 28. Performances continue February 29, March 1, March 7, and 8. Curtain for all performances is 8:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door on performance nights and admission is $5.00 per ticket.

Jack Chesney and Charles Wykeham, two students about to graduate from Oxford in 1894, want to invite Kitty Verdun and Amy Spettigue to lunch in order to propose marriage. Because Victorian culture requires a chaperone be present, Jack and Charley must wait for Charley’s aunt, a rich widow Charley has never met. Kitty and Amy accept the luncheon invitation and the party is about to start when word arrives that Charley’s aunt is delayed.

Jack and Charley persuade Babbs, a fellow male student, to pose as Charley’s aunt. Jack’s father, who is having cash flow problems, begins courting the imposter, as does Kitty’s guardian, Mr. Spettigue. When Charley’s real aunt arrives, the mischief multiplies to hilarious proportions.

The cast of 10 is led by Marcus Ashcraft as Jack and Clayton Maurer as Charley. They were last seen as a victim of libel and his lawyer, respectively, in “A Case of Libel.” Tommy Ruth, a Union College alumnus and staff member, puts his 6-foot-7-inch frame into a Victorian dress to impersonate Charley’s aunt.

Andy Messer will appear as Jack’s father, a retired colonel who would do anything to further his son’s career—even if it means proposing marriage to Charley’s aunt.

Making his debut as Stephen Spettigue, Karl Wallhausser alternates blustery pomposity with oily charm as he makes his bid for the hand and wealth of Charley’s aunt.

Laura Love, who has played a variety of interesting characters on Union’s stage, will delight audiences once more with her portrayal of the real aunt, Donna Lucia, a woman who is confident, mischievous, and full of generous warmth.

The three young ladies at the center of the machinations and misunderstandings are portrayed by one veteran and two newcomers. Bethany Hopkins started her career at Union’s theater as an adorable mammoth in “The Skin of Our Teeth.” She will portray Amy Spettigue. Emily Baker, a Union freshman, fills the role of Babbs’ love interest. Tara Gambrel, also a freshman, is Kitty, the wealthy object of Jack’s affections.

Newcomer Jonathan Turner will portray Brassett, Jack’s manservant who can hold his own and keep his head in the world of college gents and their crazy antics.

For more information about performances, contact the Union College Theatre at 606-546-1312.

March 6, 2008

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