Laugh Is Ready to Make Audiences Smile at Studio Theatre
(© Teddy Wolff)
Laugh, by Beth Henley, begins performances tonight at Studio Theatre. The story begins in the West in the 1920s. After a dynamite accident at a gold mine, protagonist Mabel finds herself wealthy but orphaned and is quickly sent off to her aunt’s care. This aunt, far from having Mabel’s best interests in mind, has charged her nephew with seducing Mabel in order to control her fortune. The clumsy courtship, however, reveals a mutual love of silent movies and plans for greater things, leading to a Hollywood-style romance.
Directed by David Schweizer with original music by Wayne Barker, the play features Helen Cespedes as Mabel, Creed Garnick as Roscoe, Evan Zes as Curly P. Curtis and others, Jacob Ming-Trent as Uncle Oscar Defoliant and others, Emily K. Townley as Aunt Octobra Defoliant and others, Felicia Curry as Miss Bee Sunshine and others, and Wayne Barker as the pianist and narrator.
"I think there’s something interesting about the notion that the South was defeated," said playwright Beth Henley, "and in the face of defeat, humor is often the best defense for humiliation."
The creative team includes Michael Lincoln (light design), Frank Labovitz (costume design), Andromache Chalfant (set design), Adam W. Johnson (sound design), and Anthony O. Bullock (stage manager)
Performances will run through April 19.
For tickets and more information, click here.
