IF YOU GO* What: “Leading Ladies.”* When: 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (all times Central).* Where: Whole Backstage Theatre, 1120 Rayburn Ave., Guntersville, Ala.* Admission: $15 adults, $12 seniors.* Phone: 256-582-7469.* Web site: www.wholebackstage.com.
The Whole Backstage Theatre in Guntersville, Ala., draws from Ken Ludwig’s comedy arsenal for its latest production. “Leading Ladies,” which concludes this weekend, is set in the playwright’s own hometown of York, Pa. Ludwig also is the mind behind backstage farces “Moon Over Buffalo” and “Lend Me a Tenor.”
“Leading Ladies” is the story of English stage actors Leo Clark (Chris Harper) and Jack Gable (Christopher Carter), whose fortunes have declined to the point that their bread and butter is performing a mishmash of Shakespearean scenes for Elk and Moose club members up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Fortune smiles when the two learn that a wealthy York dowager, Florence (Jennice Floyd), is searching for two long-lost Engish relations with whom she can share her estate. Complications ensue when Leo falls in love with Meg (Melissa Lawler). Also complicating matters is Meg’s suspicious fiance, the greedy parson, Duncan (Dan Lueker).
Others in the cast are Kayla Harper, who is affectionately dim as the roller-skating waitress, Audrey, Jackson Moss as her boyfriend Butch, and Byron Waldrop as Florence’s physician, Doc Burnett.
Jim Peterson is directing.
Due to mature language and subject matter, the show is not recommended for children.