Kirk Players close season with flashback to '60s
The intoxicating nostalgia of the Kennedy years will be brought to life again by the Kirk Players in their final production of their 44th season with "The Philadelphia Story."
With all the youthful exuberance of the early 1960s, this show promises to put an exclamation mark on a remarkably successful season.
Although this famous show, best known for its star-studded cast - Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart and Cary Grant - was originally presented by MGM studios in 1941, the Kirk Players have created a Camelot extravaganza with '60s-style costuming, sound and set design.
"I thought it might be fun for our audience to experience this classic story about the sophisticated elite with a Kennedy-era backdrop," offered Mary Jo Pippenger, director for "The Philadelphia Story." "So our costumes and set design and all the little details will drip '60s."
The story is about a young socialite, Tracy Lord, played by Veronica Lynn, daughter of KP artistic director Paddy Lynn, whose wedding plans are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband, Dexter, played by guest performer Jeff Cook, and an attractive and charming journalist, Mike, played by guest performer Charley Pippenger. The Broadway blockbuster was nominated for six Academy Awards, and won two: James Stewart for Best Actor and David Ogden Stewart for Best Screenplay.
The finale for the season is also a bit of a family affair. To the talented and agile cast, add veteran KP performer Paddy Lynn, playing mother of the bride-to-be-again, Margaret Lord, and veteran KP performer Jon Lynn, playing the prankster Uncle Willy. You may recall Jon Lynn's performance as Elmer P Dowd in last season's finale, Harvey. And yes, he is also Veronica Lynn's father.
Rounding out the cast is Kirk Player Kat Basso as Liz Imbrie, Kirk Player Alex Fenton as Edward, Kirk Player Sara Franklin as May, Kirk Player Jeff Harding as George, Kirk Player Anna Lieberman as Elsie, Kirk Player Mike Lieberman as Thomas, veteran Kirk Player Brian Motyka as Sandy, guest performer Dave Stironek as Seth Lord, John Tomlin as Mac and Rebecca Van Sickel as the bubbly Dinah.
Ably supporting Mary Jo Pippenger is assistant director veteran Kirk Player Sara Gunther. Rounding out the crew is veteran Kirk Player Jen Tomlin as stage manager, Mike Lieberman as technical director, veteran Kirk Player Fred Vipond as set designer, veteran Kirk Player Fran Hansen as props mistress and veteran Kirk Player Bev Johnson as sound designer. Gunther will also provide her unique expertise as lighting designer.