philidelphiastory

Chris Post/Midwest Freelancer

       Following on the heels of “Sugar” and “The Sunshine Boys,” the Arrow Rock
Lyceum Theatre will keep the comedy coming with its production of “The Philadelphia
Story.”

       Philip Barry's comedy of manners, which opens Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 15,
tells the story socialite Tracy Lord and her plans to wed George Kittredge. Things begin to
come undone as a society newspaper reporter covering the wedding comes upon the little
matter of Tracy's first marriage and some other embarrassing Lord family misdeeds.

       “What ensues is Tracy's humorous and poignant journey from prejudice to tolerance,”
said production director Peter Reynolds. “The Lord family and the other characters who
visit their country home outside Philadelphia are as resonant and entertaining today as they
were on opening night in 1939.”

       Reynolds is no stranger to either comedies or the Lyceum stage. In previous years he
has directed productions of “Harvey” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” He also directed this
season's “Sugar.”

       For the Lyceum's production, Carey Van Driest will take the role of Tracy. Van
Driest, making her Lyceum debut, has appeared on stages across the country in
productions of “The Sound of Music,”' “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Great
Expectations.” Lyceum Artistic Director Quin Gresham will appear as George. Gresham
has played numerous roles on the Lyceum stage including Ben Clark in the theater's current
production of “The Sunshine Boys.”

       The comedy will also feature Jeffrey C. Wolf as C.K. Dexter Haven and Ben
Nordstrom as Mike Connor. Wolf introduced himself to Arrow Rock audiences as Joe in
“Sugar” and includes roles in “Cabaret,” “Damn Yankees” “My Fair Lady” among his
credits. Nordstrom is a familiar face to Lyceum audiences having appeared in more than
20 productions since 1998. In addition to his role as the Baker in this season's “Into the
Woods,” some of Nordstrom's past credits include parts in “Little Shop of Horrors,”
“Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Big River.”

       Lyceum audiences will also recognize Elena Gronlund and Whit Reichert who return
to play Liz Imbrie and Uncle Willie, respectively. Gronlund has been busy this season
appearing in “Into the Woods,” “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “Sugar” and “The
Sunshine Boys.” In addition to appearing in both “Sugar” and “The Sunshine Boys” this
season, Reichert also had roles in last season's productions of “1776,” “How to Succeed
in Business Without Really Trying” and “Harvey.”

       Rounding out the Lord family are Matt Yeager as Sandy Lord, Kat Singleton as
Margaret Lord, Larry Patric as Seth Lord and Emily Pintell as Dinah Lord. Michael
Brennan and Trevor Belt will appear as Thomas and Mac.

       “The Philadelphia Story's” scenery and lighting were designed by Randy B. Winder.
His previous Arrow Rock design credits include “Dracula,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and
“Spitfire Grill.” Costumes for this production were designed by John Metzner, another
Lyceum veteran. His work has been seen in “Kiss Me Kate,” “The Importance of Being
Earnest” and “Guys and Dolls.”

       "The Philadelphia Story" concludes the comedic portion of the Lyceum's 2007 season
which will continue Aug. 17 – 26 with the thriller "Misery." The fall portion of the season
begins Sept. 5 - 16 with "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming" and ends Sept. 26 - Oct.
7 with "Children of a Lesser God.”

       Tickets for each production are available through the Lyceum's Web site at www.
lyceumtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 660-837-3311. The box office is now
running on its summer schedule, allowing patrons to call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays. On Wednesdays with no
performances, the box office closes at 5 p.m.

       The Lyceum Theatre began in 1960 in a 50-seat church in the historic village of
Arrow Rock. Today, the Lyceum Theatre ranks as one of the best-known regional
theaters in the country and its actors play to a 408-seat audience at the same location.