Elgin theater troupe to present farcical comedy

Independent Players has the perfect way to beat the winter doldrums with "When We Are Married," a Yorkshire farcical comedy by the inimitable J.B. Priestley, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 6-21 at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. This production marks the beginning of IP's 31st year of presenting theater in the Elgin area,

Imagine what happens when three couples suddenly discover that the cleric who married them was not authorized to perform such a ceremony! The premise of the play is quite simple: Gerald, the young organist of the village church, is courting Nancy, unbeknownst to her uncle, Alderman Helliwell, who doesn't think very much of the said organist. With two other leading citizens and churchgoers, he summons Gerald to his home to warn him that playing the organ is all that is required of him on the evening that the three men and their wives are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary. It is with some glee that Gerald informs them that he has discovered the parson who married them was, in fact, not qualified to do so at all. Consequently, the village's staunchest and most respected couples are not married at all. The effect of the announcement is cataclysmic and complete pandemonium ensues. By the time things are settled, lives have been jarred amusingly and smugness has given way to hilarious adventure.

This classic traditional comedy has a traditionally sizable cast of 14 actors of all ages. In the roles of the three "happy" couples are: Paula Rybak and Mathew Root (both of Morris) who play Maria and Joseph Helliwell; Nora McVittie (of Bartlett) and John Laubhan (of Elgin) who play Annie and Albert Parker; and Bethany Evans (of Dundee) and John Evans (of Elgin) who play Clara and Herbert Soppitt. Supporting them are Matt Fox (of Streamwood) as Gerald Forbes, the young organist; Maddie Richmond (of Elgin) as Nancy Holmes, the Helliwells' niece; Gareth Sitz (of Elgin) as the charwoman, Mrs. Northrup; Jacque Currie (of Elgin) as the young maid, Ruble Birtle; Val Fox Sr. as the photographer, Henry Ormonroyd; Yvonne Alton (of McHenry) as the "mysterious" visitor Lottie Grady; Val Fox, Jr. (of Streamwood) as the newspaperman Fred Dyson; and Paul Sitz (of Elgin) as the Rev. Clement Mercer.

"Since IP wants to start off its fourth decade with a bang, we selected this comedy because, while it is the work of a well-known author, it is not widely known to theater audiences here in Elgin," Don Haefiiger, artistic director said.

Tickets are $15 or $12 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets are available at the ticket office before each performance (cash or check only). For reservations, call (847) 697-7374.