SEBAGO – Schoolhouse Arts Center will present The Daytime Players in a double bill of classic comedy the weekends of March 2-18. Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” runs the first two weekends, followed by “Bull In a China Shop,” by C. B. Gilford.
“The Sunshine Boys” centers around the great vaudeville comedians of the golden age of television. Aging comics Willie Clark, played by Garvey MacLean, and Al Lewis, played by Jerry Walker, put on hilarious comedy sketches as they rehearse for a TV special honoring their work. Heidi Libby of Limington plays the beautifully endowed blonde nurse in their “Doctor Sketch,” and Lonnie Wescott of Windham plays a befuddled patient as well as a TV announcer. Sumida Sferes of Windham is the home health-care nurse with attitude. Bob Mosey of Hollis plays Willie Clark’s nephew and theatrical agent, Ben Silverman. Ben’s frustrated efforts to care for his beloved, wisecracking uncle touch the heart and the funny bone. Willie and Al’s old arguments and insecurities surface and then explode as two old partners struggle to hold on to the magical bond in performance that has made them a legendary showbiz team and friends for a lifetime.
“Bull In a China Shop” showcases the funny ladies of The Daytime Players. The matronly guests at Miss Hildegarde’s boarding house have fallen in love from afar with their handsome neighbor, Homicide Detective Dennis O’Finn. Watching him lift dumbbells in his apartment across the street, with the help of binoculars hidden behind their lacy curtains, just isn’t enough for the girls. So they devise a murderous plan to get Mr. O’Finn to come calling. Rick Kusturin of Gorham plays the charming Det. O’Finn. Lonnie Wescott of Windham plays his wisecracking partner Kramer, who unravels the ladies’ scheme in short order. Betty Pillsbury of Parsonfield is Hildegarde.
Her guests are Helene Quint of Falmouth as Birdie, Merry Welch of Brownfield as Amantha, Kristi MacKinnon of Windham as Lucy, Christine Molloy of Harrison as Nellie, and Gayle Clarke of Windham as Elizabeth. Heidi Libby of Limington plays reporter Jane Rogers, and Bernard Button of Sebago plays Johnson, the fingerprint expert.
Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. For tickets, call 642-3743.
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