New directors, quick play readings, new ideas and one signature piece gem. The Company of Fools is bringing an intriguing bit of theatre to the valley for the next three weeks to straddle seasons in a culturally diverse manner.
The plays being presented in the new "Fools: Exposed" series, which began Thursday, Oct. 12, include "Iron Kisses" playing tonight, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.; "Tom Foolery" playing 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, and a full production of "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," also on Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
Each of these shows will be repeated during the next two weeks.
Directed by Claudia McCain, "Iron Kisses," by James Still, deciphers the story of an American family and the unique relationship between a brother and a sister navigating through marriage, divorce, homosexuality, secrets, and growing old. It is a heartfelt, contemporary look at the changing relationships between parents and children and the emotional ties that hold them together. Two actors—John Glenn and Denise Simone—play both the siblings and the parents.
"Tom Foolery," directed here by R.L. Rowsey, is a retrospective piece that combines the absurdist and satirical work of one Tom Lehrer, a mathematician by day and a nut the rest of the time.
Originally produced in London in the 1980s, the musical revue was produced by the high-octane theatre impresario Cameron Mackintosh. This take on Lehrer's work, written more than four decades ago, has been performed over and over by people who consider madcap a kind of blessing. The musical potpourri will be performed by Andrew Alburger, Jana Arnold, Patsy Wygle and Keith Moore.
When the Company of Fools arrived in the valley, 10 years ago, one of their first productions featured Denise Simone and Joel Vilinsky in John Patrick Shanley's "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea." This piece is being revived as a full production during the "Fools: Exposed" series. Directed by John Glenn, Simone and Vilinsky will also reprise their roles of two down-and-outers who meet in a Bronx bar, and proceed oh so carefully to connect.
The shows are $5 each, or $25 for a pass that allows entry to each show in the series. For tickets, call the COF box office at 578-9122.
