Published: September 05, 2008 01:58 pm      

Parody at Cresson playhouse | 'Chase Me Comrade' debuts Thursday

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Through a series of trumped-up stories and assumed identities, “Chase Me Comrade” mushrooms into a hilarious play.

The parody, written by master farce writer Ray Cooney, opens Thursday and runs through Sept. 20 at the Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.

Holding a top secret post in the U.S. government, Commander Rimmington must watch appearances, and he is not always pleased by the carryings-on of his impulsive daughter, Nancy.

Her latest escapade begins when her friend, ballerina Alicia Courtney, arrives breathlessly to announce that the great Russian dancer, Petrovyan, portrayed by Michael Makin of Ebensburg, has decided to defect to the West. She has smuggled him out in the trunk of the commander’s car.

Makin will wow the audience with his ballet moves. He was a member of the Allegheny Ballet Company of Altoona for four years.

“There’s a lot of dancing on my part in the show,” said Makin.

The characters must find a way to distract the commander while Petrovyan is slipped into the house, but then, after the commander goes fishing, the problems mount.

Making her playhouse debut is Holly Smith of Cresson, who portrays Alicia Courtney.

“Comedy is something I’ve always wanted to do, but with two children, time has been an issue,” she said.

The show is under the director of Robin Reese of Altoona, who is making her directorial debut at Cresson Lake.

But Reese is a seasoned writer, actor and director. In 2007, one of her original productions was produced off-Broadway.

“It’s a madcap adventure that will leave the audience in a puddle of confusion and laughter,” Reese said.

Reese said the biggest challenge is for cast members to remember their quick lines, entrances and exits and all the physical antics they have to do.

The comedy progresses as an official appears with a coded message for the commander, portrayed by Tom Pattison of Johnstown, and, in an attempt to get rid of the official quickly, the commander is impersonated by Nancy’s fiance, Gerry Buss, who is played by Peter Burley of Nanty Glo.

Nancy Rimmington is played by Marina Johnson of Johnstown.

As they try to hide Petrovyan, the trumped-up stories and assumed identities mushroom hilariously.

But after all the riotous confusion, including being stuck halfway out of the chimney, Petrovyan has had enough.

Concluding that Americans must be mad, he opts for the sanity of state control. So it’s back to Moscow, leaving his would-be benefactors to straighten out the mayhem still churning in his wake.

Rounding out the cast are John Illar of Altoona as Hoskins; Rich Volpe of Altoona as Mr. Laver; Josh Way of Johnstown as Constable Pulford; Valerie Stratton of Altoona as Janet Rimmington; and Olivia Parry of Altoona as Bobby Hargreaves.

Curtain times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays with a matinee at 2 Sunday.

Reservations can be made by calling 472-4333 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12 years old.

Tickets also are available at the door.



On stage

What: “Chase Me Comrade.”

Where: Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.

When: Thursday through Sept. 20.

Tickets: Call 472-4333 or at the door.

Cost: $17 for adults and $8 for children younger than 12 years old.