PORTLAND – Portland Stage Company will present a studio series production of the one-act plays “The Flattering Word” and “The Apollo of Bellac” July 9 to 11 and 16 to 18.

The performances will take place in the newly renovated Studio Theater at Portland Stage Company on the second floor of the Portland Performing Arts Center at 25A Forest Ave.

These two comedies explore the possibility of a perfect solution to all social interactions. Can a single word turn any conversation around? The playwrights, American George Kelly and Frenchman Jean Giraudoux, each approach this question differently. They lightly satirize everyday vanity, but each hints that any perfect solution may lead to unexpected results, according to the theater company.

In Kelly’s “The Flattering Word,” the wife of a conservative preacher is visited by an old friend from school – a traveling actor. Can he convince them that everyone wants to a performer? When a loudmouthed parishioner shows up with her daughter for an impromptu audition, hilarity ensues and even the most unlikely of people may find themselves daydreaming of applause and autographs.

In “The Apollo of Bellac,” Giraudoux pits his own perfect solution against a collection of stodgy bureaucrats. When a hopeful young inventor comes to their offices, she finds that the road to success can be bumpy until you learn the key to men’s conversation.

The two plays will be presented back-to-back at every performance. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 7. Seating is limited. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance from the box office.

All tickets are $10. For reservations, call the box office, (207) 774-0465.

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