LEWISTON – Golf in January sounds like a sure winner.

It’s all the more appealing when four funny ladies tee off on The Public Theatre stage with some hilarious banter about love, sex, motherhood and careers in a laugh-filled production of “The Ladies Foursome.”
Under the direction of two-time Tony Award winning actress Judith Ivey, this entertaining comedy makes its New England premier Friday, Jan. 22. The play is by Canada’s prolific playwright Norm Foster, who is often called the Canadian Neil Simon.
“This show is “just a great good time,” said Christopher Schario, TPT’s executive/artistic director.
It’s a fast-paced comedy centered on three friends who gather together to play a final round of golf in honor of their recently deceased fourth partner and close friend. They are joined by an unknown friend of the deceased, and they learn about themselves and each other as they celebrate the bonds of friendship that link women together.
At first, the ladies are finding it difficult to include the new member of their regular foursome. They can’t decide if she is “nice or mean,” Schario explained. He said the smart and sassy dialogue by Foster leads the ladies to surprising discoveries about each other.
The cast for this witty comedy includes Brigitte Viellieu-Davis as Connie, a promiscuous television news anchor. She was seen in TPT’s production of “Gunshy” a several seasons ago.
Tarah Flanagan portrays Tate, a stay-at-home mom married to a surgeon. She appeared in TPT’s production of “The Language Archive” in 2012.
Janet Mitchko, who is TPT’s co-artistic director, plays Margot, a divorced workaholic who runs a construction company. Throughout TPT’s 23 seasons, Mitchko has directed or acted in several shows each year.
Caralyn Kozlowski plays Dory, the “new” fourth. She has numerous stage, film and television credits including “Law and Order,” and “Guiding Light.”
The play is filled with belly-laughs, Schario said, adding that there’s a touching outcome. He said the show will appeal not only to women and golfers, but to anyone with friends.

Schario also points out that audiences will be pleased with the on-stage golf course where the play takes place. It’s designed by Kit Mayer and Schario said it will well-worth seeing how it’s done.
Lighting is by Bart Garvey and golf attire by Jonna Klaiber.
Director Judith Ivey’s Tony and Drama Desk awards were for her Broadway performances in “Steaming” and “Hurlyburly.” She is well-known for her numerous roles on stage, in film and on television, including recurring roles on “Will and Grace” and “Designing Women.” Her directing credits include numerous regional and off-Broadway theatres.
The Public Theatre continues its PLAY PAL program for people who love going to the theatre but can’t always find someone to go with, connecting solo theatre-goers with other solo theatre-lovers. The theatre will be combining its PLAY PAL program with its newly added 7:30 p.m. “Wine-Down” Thursday performance on Jan. 28 with a free pre-show wine-tasting hosted by Rails Restaurant and starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Public Theatre was awarded the “Best Theatre in Maine” honor by Down East Magazine’s readers’ poll for the third year in a row.
Attendance at the “The Ladies Foursome” is recommended for those of Grade-10 age and older.
Performances of “The Ladies Foursome” are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 22 and 29, as well as 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28; at 8 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 23 and 30; and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 24 and 31. A 3 p.m. matinee has been added Saturday, Jan. 30.
For tickets, call the box office at 782-3200 or go online to www.thepublictheatre.org. Tickets are $20 for adults and there is a group rate of $17 for ten or more.
The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St. in downtown Lewiston.