Florida School of the Arts presents "Leading Ladies"

Florida School of the Arts presents the comedy "Leading Ladies." From the author of "Lend Me a Tenor" and "Moon Over Buffalo," Ken Ludwig's play finds two rogue actors so down on their luck, that when they hear of a dying woman's wish to leave her fortune to her two long-lost British nephews, they set their acting skills into overtime.

According to play director Ed Kelly, the two "nephews" set out to inherit the will; however, trickery has its price. Upon their arrival, the "nephews" discover that "Max" and "Steve" are actually "Maxine" and "Stephanie." "The adventure truly begins when their scheme takes a surprising and hilarious turn, and the two men must then play the most ironic roles of their lives if they are to convince the ailing aunt of their identity," Kelly said. Romantic entanglements also promise to thicken the plot.

Kelly said "Leading Ladies" is a fun and outrageous production sure to entertain audiences of all ages with its comic antics and witty dialogue.

The play runs June 14 - 16 at 7:30 p.m. and June 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the Florida School of the Arts Main Stage Theatre located on the St. Johns River State College Palatka campus. Admission is $5.

Set designer Rob O'Leary said the stage has been created to take audience members through a "Dick Van Dyke Show-style" comedic romp through a prominent family's living room. "The home itself, representing a well-to-do family of the York, Pennsylvania social scene, is a rather grand, single-family setting. The set itself has pulled hints of its design from Frank Lloyd Wright and his "Falling Waters." The décor, while occasionally following the whimsy of some of its characters, draws from popular artists of that modern movement, like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko," O'Leary said, adding, "The set should allow quite well for the frantic, "Scooby-Doo" physical nature of the comedy, with plenty of doors and entrances for many a mixed-up and unexpected hilarious moment."

The cast includes: Sami Gresham as Meg, Michael Ross as Leo, Remy Sylvain as Jack, Katie Bregenzer as Audrey, Jake Scazzoro as Doc, Josh Belt as Butch, Andrew Caraker as Duncan, Stephanie Masterson as Florence, John Marks as Moose Frank.

Countless hours are dedicated to the backstage magic and mayhem that result in a flawless, convincing performance. The collaboration of many talented students majoring in the technical/production programs includes the costume construction crew with Makenzie Vaughan, Laura Scott, Christina Baroniel, Josh Belt, Michael Ross, Sami Gresham, Amber Douglas, Shea O'Neil, assistant costume designer; and Pamela Ross, costume shop manager. The costumes were designed by instructor Emily Strickland.

Students on the technical crew are Alex Rubio, house manager; Marina Alcover, stage manager; Christina Baroniel and Amber Douglas, assistant stage managers; Jesse Irish, technical director; Laura Scott, assistant director; Adam Campitelli, lighting design; Blu Cook, sound design; Jason Cazella, light board operator and master electrician; and Molly Harris, properties master.

The construction crew includes Robert O'Leary, set design; Doug Brown, scene shop manager and technical supervisor; Andrew Crews, master carpenter and sound board operator; Christina Baroniel, Amber Douglas, Sami Gresham, Steven Lightkep, Shea O'Neil, Michael Ross, Laura Scott and Makenzie Vaughan. Carpenters, painters, electricians are Tori Akin, Allison Bailey, Adam Campitelli, Jason Cazella, Blu Cook, Molly Harris, Jesse Irish, Shirley Sullivan and Michael Ross.

Florida School of the Arts is part of the academic and administrative structure of SJR State and awards the two-year associate degree. The School serves the entire state of Florida is located on the SJR State Palatka campus. For more information, call 386-312-4300 or visit the Web site at www.floarts.org.




PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Take a hilarious romp through the 1950s social scene with two British actors determined to trick a socialite into believing they are the long-lost heirs of her fortune; but, the joke's on "Max" and "Steve" when they discover they need to switch their scheming identities to"Maxine" and "Stephanie." Florida School of the Arts presents the comedy "Leading Ladies" June 14 - 17. From left: Andrew Caraker, Remy Sylvain, Sami Gresham, Michael Ross, Josh Belt and Jake Scazzoro.





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MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJR State Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020