PM&L to present Gelbart's 'Sly Fox'

People will do anything for money.

Larry Gelbart takes that point and uses it to create a fast-paced comedy called "Sly Fox" that opens tonight and runs through Aug. 10 at the PM&L Theatre in Antioch.

Based on Ben Jonson's "Volpone", Gelbart retells the story, first set in 17th century Venice and now in Victorian San Francisco, with comic genius.

Director Ken Smouse said the show is suitable only for adults due to subject matter.

Foxwell J. Sly, played by Jim Behr of Gurnee, is a scheming miser who has achieved all his wealth with his wit. Along side him wanting to study his scheming ways is his butler, Simon Able, played by Chuck Lindas of

Kenosha, Wis.

Whether Sly is fondling gold coins, claiming if you do it enough they feel like skin, or scheming to get into bed with another man's wife, Sly is a prince of luxury and lust. Behr said it sometimes takes a moment or two to shake off his character, but he adds Sly is fun to play.

"He is so much fun, to be someone your life does not give you the opportunity to be," Behr said.

With help from Able, Sly has a plan. The pretense is he is ill and near death. As he receives visits from several rich friends, he promises each they will be named as his sole heir and in return, they give him gifts to seal the deal. These greedy men will take drastic measures to acquire Sly's fortune.

Among the characters who also seek Sly's fortune is Miss Fancy, considered to be the madam of the town, played by Margie Burba of Beach Park. Burba said her character is on a mission to get married when she finds out she is pregnant. She wants Sly, but can't get him to commit.

"She carries the marriage license all around town with her to get him to sign it," Burba said.

While Burba enjoys that Miss Fancy is honest about what she does and who she is, she also enjoys the story for the one-liners her character and others get to deliver.

"Abel, Sly's companion, asks when I tell him I'm pregnant, 'do you know who the father is?' I reply, 'well I'm trying to narrow it down. It's such a bumper year,'" Burba says with a laugh.

Behr said Fox exudes confidence, knowing everything he does will succeed. His missteps with his romp with Mrs. Truckle almost derails his plan, but he does not derail.

"He knows everything will work out and it does work out, but there is a surprise at the end," Behr said.

Smouse said the truth about this story is people are driven by greed, and that is sad. "As long as it is sad, we might as well laugh at it," Smouse said.

If You Go

What: "Sly Fox" by Larry Gelbart

When: 8 p.m. July 25 and 26, Aug. 1, 2, 8 and 9; and 2:30 p.m. July 27, Aug. 3 and 10

Where: PM&L Theatre, 877 Main St., Antioch

Tickets: $12 for adults and $10 for seniors age 60 and older; call the box office at (847) 395-3055