What do you get when you have two divas, two egos and
one suite? A trifecta that makes for one wacky ride and an infinite
number of laughs.
The Blowing Rock Stage Company
presents Suite Surrender July 3-12. Photo
submitted
The Blowing Rock Stage Company is offering reservations for the
North Carolina premiere production of this loving ode to those
wonderful farces of the ’30s and ’40s. Suite Surrender
plays at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock July
3-12.
In award-winning South Florida playwright Michael McKeever’s
funnybone-tickling farce Suite Surrender, it’s 1942 and the
luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel is under siege as two of Hollywood’s
biggest divas — and their enormous egos — vie for the
same suite. And like any good farce, mistaken identities and double
entendres, as well as a pampered little lap dog, fly around like
an out-of-control bellhop.
“Suite Surrender is my homage to those great comic movies
of the ’30s and ’40s,” McKeever saud. “Bringing
Up Baby, You Can’t Take It with You, His Girl Friday, films
like these have always delighted and inspired me. There’s
a sophistication that runs arm-in-arm with the zany antics throughout
these films. Something you don’t find in many modern
comedies. Suite Surrender is my humble take on this genre.”
BRSC is also pleased to announce that McKeever himself will be
in Blowing Rock to star in his own comedy (as Mr. Pippet, the
personal private secretary of one of the divas, legendary star
Claudia McFadden), along with a seasoned professional cast that
includes BRSC veterans Kim Cozort, Lynn Llewelyn, Rebecca Koon
and newcomer Beth Dimon. Producing artistic director Kenneth Kay
will direct the comedy.
“It’s a kick playing in my own work, especially a broad
comedy Suite Surrender,” McKeever added. “There’s
nothing better than being on stage and hearing an audience roar
with laughter at something you’ve written. It’s
also great to be onstage with amazing actors like Kim Cozort or
Beth Dimon and watching them create magic with your words.”
McKeever, the author of 15 plays, is the winner of two Carbonell
Awards (The Garden of Hannah List, Charlie Cox) and three Curtain
Up Awards (Running with Scissors, Open Season, Sexy & Miggs).
As a special Suite Surrender opening night event, the Hayes Center
will offer heavy hors d’ouevres courtesy of Glidewell’s
restaurant in the outside courtyard at the Hayes Center on Friday,
July 3, from 6:30-7:45 p.m. (In the event of rain, the reception
will take place in the Ebert Rehearsal Hall on the second floor.)
Cost is $10 per person (pay in advance or at the door). Additional
Suite Surrender dinner and show packages starting at $77 per couple
are also available at Glidewell’s, Bistro Roca, Crippen’s
and the Manor House at Chetola.
Performances for Suite Surrender are July 3 at 8 p.m., July 4
at 7 p.m., July 5 at 2 & 7 p.m., July 8 at 8 p.m., July 9
at 2 & 8 p.m., July 10 at 8 p.m., July 11 at 2 & 8 p.m.,
and July 12 at 2 p.m.
Individual tickets are $26 for adults, $14 for students and are
available now by calling the box office at (828) 295-9627. You
may pay by credit card or by cash (in person). Tickets can also
be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org by credit card. Special
group rates are also available (10 person minimum). Season and
Flex Passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire ’09
season.
The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort
Road (off U.S. 321) in Blowing Rock. For more information, call
(828) 295-9627.
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