Noami Fleetwood-Pyle promises that laughter will rise like the Ozarks when Actors Studio of Hope presents its latest Southern comedy “Farce of Nature” opening this weekend.
The show unfolds at Willow Leaves of Hope.
The slapstick-style presentation, another in a long line of shows the troupe has presented from the national Jones Hope Wooten playwright trio, is set amid the classic mountain range at the Reel ‘Em Inn, a small fishing lodge where business is slipping away like an elusive bass.
One hardly can blame producer and director Fleetwood-Pyle for casting for ticket buyers in an old, favorite spot. Numerous, previous productions from the same celebrated writing team have yielded sold-out houses at the 100-seat Willow Leaves of Hope restaurant and a previous facility as well.
So the troupe leader claims nothing more than good old-fashioned, down-home sense in sticking with the if-it-ain’t broke philosophy.
“I still believe that when people go out for an evening of entertainment, they want to relax and have a good time and laugh,” said Fleetwood-Pyle, known for her own love of laughter in both the theater and clogging community.
Kristy Kelley, playing one of the production’s leads as Wanelle, co-owner of the lodge in the show, agrees with Fleetwood-Pyle’s perspective.
“For many people, life is very heavy and serious nowadays,” Kelley said. “And I believe when people enjoy getting out for a meal, they want to laugh.”
Kelley’s character, meant to have a Southern drawl — “I’m working on it,” Kelley said — is so fed up with her and her husband’s romantic life that she has resorted to hypnotic suggestions to spice it up. Which explains why her spouse’s pants keep falling down.
“This features a lot of that same Southern silliness (as previous comedies),” Kelley said.
Fleetwood-Pyle mentioned that the bulk of Actors Studio’s audience comes from the Columbus, Greensburg, Edinburgh, Shelbyville and Seymour surrounding area. Plus, it helps that the troupe’s mailing list is overflowing with more than 2,000 names. The drama leader acknowledged that, after shows, she hears well-aimed compliments about as often as applause.
The best one? Probably when an audience member, impressed with the level of entertainment, told her, “I forgot for a moment that I was at a little theater in Hope, Indiana.”
“We have so many repeat customers,” Fleetwood-Pyle said.
Waiting to exchange their troubles for laughter.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Fishing for laughs” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: Actors Studio of Hope’s presentation of the dinner theater comedy "Farce of Nature," highlights one crazy day at the Ozarks-based Reel ‘Em Inn, a fishing lodge where business is down and tourists are few.
When: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and also 6 p.m. May 3-4 and 1 p.m. May 5.
Where: Willow Leaves of Hope, 326 Jackson St. in Hope.
Tickets: Includes dinner and the show. $26, with reservations at 812-546–0640.
Information: The Facebook page for Actors Studio of Hope.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
