Press release

Mammoth Lakes, CA – Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre (MLRT) Artistic Director Shira Dubrovner announces the upcoming run of MLRT’s February production of the Michael McKeever farce Suite Surrender.

Airen Neely Lisa Gill Stephen Gill

Airen Neely – Lisa Gill – Stephen Gill

The play features two battling Hollywood divas who wind up unknowingly sharing the same suite in a Palm Beach Hotel. Five doors, two bellhops, two assistants, a frustrated Hotel Manager, a Society doyen–who likes to host our “boys on the battlefield” to “blow off a little steam,” a nosy reporter and one dog. What could be simpler?

“I love directing comedy,” stated Dubrovner. “It’s such an amazing collaboration between the writer’s script, the actors and the director to find every humorous moment. And in a farce, the more frantic, but real the actors remain, the funnier the experience is for the audience.”

Lisa Gill Juliana Olinka Jones

Lisa Gill – Juliana Olinka-Jones

The show features a roster of local talent from experienced locals, to those making their Mammoth premiere after a lengthy hiatus from the stage.  As the battling divas Claudia McFadden and Athena Sinclair are Juliana Olinka-Jones (Importance of Being Earnest, Lend Me a Tenor, The Fantasticks) and Lisa Gil(I Hate Hamlet, Little Shop of Horrors) respectively. Stephen Gill (Importance of Being Ernest) portrays the harried Hotel Manager Mr. Dunlap, whose challenges with divas in the same suite are compounded by the owner’s wife, society matron Mrs. Osgood, played by Rhonda Duggan and meddling gossip columnist Dora Del Rio, played by Victoria Farber—both of whom are making their Mammoth debut.

Two bumbling bellboys played by Matt Chaconas (Exit Laughing, The Fantasticks) and Tim Casey (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Crucible) add to the chaos.

Matt Chaconas Juliana Olinka Jones

Matt Chaconas – Juliana Olinka-Jones

Rounding out the cast are the divas’ assistants, lovesick Murphy managing diva Sinclair played by Airen Neely Chaconas (SCT’s Macbeth and Picasso at the Lepan Agile) and long-suffering Pippet played by Sam Taylor (SCT’s Macbeth and 2018’s Murder Mystery) who trails in the wake of diva McFadden and her scrappy little dog Mr. Boodles.

“What I love about this play,” added director Dubrovner, “is its era – early 1940s World War II, and its pace. The 40s were such a glamorous time when it comes to style – especially women’s clothing. And comic timing is essential to accomplish the heightened humor crucial to the show’s success. This cast has the skills to pull it off, with my help, of course! Ba-da-boom!”

SUITE SURRENDER  has it all – mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres, and a lap dog round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic farces of the 30s and 40s. Please join Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre this February on Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 pm and Sundays at 4:00 pm beginning February 7th, running for three weekends through February 24th.

a laugh-fest from beginning to end.” – DC Metro

“A rib-tickling good time.” – Hap Erstein, Palm Beach Post

For more information and/or tickets visit MammothLakesRepertoryTheatre.org.

FACT SHEET:

WHO:                 Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre

WHAT:               SUITE SURRENDER by Michael McKeever

WHEN:               Thursday, Feb. 7 – Feb. 24; Thu-Sat at 7:00 PM; Sun at 4:00 PM

WHERE:             Edison Theatre, 100 College Parkway, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

COST:                 Tickets online: $20/$18/$10; Tickets at the door $22 No discounts

RESERVE TICKETS: www.MammothLakesRepertoryTheatre.org

The Mammoth Lakes Foundation offers both free education (books and tuition) to any Mono County resident and/or high school graduate who pursues an AA degree at Cerro Coso Community College and year-round theatre programming through Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to the theatre or to the Foundation, please contact Shira Dubrovner at 760.934.6592, the Foundation office at 760.934.3781 or visitMammothLakesFoundation.org. Our nonprofit work is only possible through your generosity.

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