Red Barn Summer Theatre is set to kick off its 57th season in Frankfort tonight, June 11 with a presentation of Ken Ludwig’s hilarious comedy “Leading Ladies” with shows continuing for two weeks.
The show is set to hit the stage tonight, Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing Thursday, June 12, Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on June 15. The show continues next week on Wednesday, June 18, Thursday, June 19, Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on June 22 at 2 p.m. to round out the first performance of the season at the Red Barn Summer Theatre at 2120 E. County Road 150 S. in Frankfort. Tickets may be purchased online at redbarntheatre.net/tickets or by contacting the box office before the show. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.
“Leading Ladies,” written by Ken Ludwig and designed and directed by Red Barn Artistic Director Michael Taylor, takes place in 1958 when two down-on-their-luck English Shakespearian actors discover that an aging woman is nearing the end of her life and seeking her two long-lost English nephews whom she will leave a considerable fortune for in her passing. The two actors spark a scheme to deceive the family members of the woman upon hearing news of her passing, which was sparked by the incompetence of the local doctor. The duo discovering that the woman is still alive is only one of the setbacks for the initial plan to portray her long-lost relatives, Max and Steve, as they soon discover that the relatives are not nephews but rather nieces, Maxine and Stephanie.
The struggling actors forge on as they realize that the dollar to their name cannot even purchase them two eggs in the states, taking up the mantle of impersonating the two women and wooing the family on a journey to secure the fortune that will be left to them in the will. However, while the two actors enact their deception, love proves to be a feat that even seasoned actors cannot overcome as they attempt to balance their portrayals of the two nieces with the insertion of their true selves within the story.
With suspicions rising regarding their true identities, consistent issues arising from their need to insert themselves into the story and true love being threatened by other suitors, Leo and Jack find themselves amidst constant antics as they attempt to maintain their cover and strike gold.
Red Barn veterans Luke McLaughlin and Xander Hann portray the deceptive actors, Jack and Leo, and are supported by Kaileen Barreto, Madi Myers, Eli Grasham, Jackae Johnson, Aaron Moon and Kenney Troutman who portray the remaining members of the family and cast.
Taylor commented prior to the show that based upon feedback received from attendees in previous seasons, the cast and crew elected to showcase three comedies this year, with the final show aligning with the musical structure seen in previous years, as a means for community members to relax after a long day and laugh together at the antics on the stage.
The show is set to hit the stage tonight, Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. with shows continuing Thursday, June 12, Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on June 15. The show continues next week on Wednesday, June 18, Thursday, June 19, Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on June 22 at 2 p.m. to round off the first performance of the season at the Red Barn Summer Theatre at 2120 E. County Road 150 S. in Frankfort. Tickets may be purchased online at redbarntheatre.net/tickets or by contacting the box office before the show. Tickets are $25 for adults or $15 for students.
Shows will continue throughout the summer with “The Cottage” by Sandy Rustin hitting the stage on June 25 and “Xanadu” hitting the stage on July 10.
“Leading Ladies” is sponsored by The Farmers Bank. Opening Night festivities are courtesy of NHK Seating of America. This Season’s sponsor is Bailey Trucking. The Red Barn Summer Theatre was founded in 1968 by Martin and Carol Ann Henderson.
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