Want to go?
WHAT: “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife”
WHERE: Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton
WHEN: March 11-20; 2 p.m. Sundays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
COST: $18 for adults; $16 for seniors and students.
TICKETS/MORE INFO:Call (937) 424-8477 or visit online at www.daytonplayhouse.com
FYI: The play contains adult language
Dayton Playhouse continues its local premiere of Charles Busch's 2001 Tony Award-nominated comedy "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife" March 11-20.
Set in a swanky apartment on New York City’s Upper West Side, “Allergist’s Wife” tells the story of wealthy, sophisticated Marjorie Taub, an aspiring intellectual whose content life with her doctor-husband Ira is rattled by her midlife crisis. Marjorie’s opinionated elderly mother and childhood friend Lee predominately factor into the hilarity of her fascinating, soul-searching journey centered around her fear of being mediocre.
“This story is relatable to any individual because it asks questions about where people are in their lives and the choices they’ve made,” said director Matthew Smith, who staged “The Fantasticks” for the Playhouse last season. “Some may feel Marjorie is suffering a midlife crisis, but you could also simply say she has a moment of self-reflection. Marjorie is a very introspective person.”
“I love that Marjorie is interested in being her best self, and I sympathize with her frustration when she’s unable to stop comparing her life to those of celebrated authors and philosophers,” added Amy Taint, who portrays Marjorie and recently appeared in Beavercreek Community Theatre’s production of “California Suite.” “I love this material. It has a deft mix of arty sophistication, ‘bathroom humor’ and adult sexual themes. I would say there’s something for everyone yet I think everybody wants all three of these in a play, right? Audiences are sure to catch glimpses of themselves and the family and friends they alternately love and are irritated by accompanied by belly laughs that make living and breathing in this zany, mixed-up world a little easier.”
The cast includes Matthew Lindsay as Ira, Pam McGinnis as Frieda, Tina McPhearson as Lee and Malcolm Casey as Mohammed. Smith’s artistic team includes scenic designer Chris Newman, costumer Kathleen Carroll, lighting designer John Falkenbach, and sound designer J. Gary Thompson.
In addition to his Tony nomination, Busch is a Drama Desk Award-nominated playwright and well-known female impersonator whose career has always embraced campy material such as “Die Mommie Die!” previously produced in its local premiere by the Playhouse. Smith feels “Allergist’s Wife” is an attractive break from the norm in an attempt to bring renewed awareness to the organization.
“The Playhouse is known for musicals and well-known, classic straight plays, but with ‘Allergist’s Wife’ I feel the Playhouse is trying to embrace new audiences,” he said. “This play may not have the big name recognition of other plays, but there is certainly a lot of appeal because it’s a comedy that might bring in audiences that typically don’t attend productions at the Playhouse. The great thing about doing small plays with a small cast is the flexibility to experiment to find out if a play is a certain type which audiences want to see again. Based on the great audience response from the Playhouse’s production of ‘Die Mommie Die!,’ a play you don’t see much in community theater, we feel comfortable about mounting more Busch plays. I hope audiences understand that even though the Playhouse has been around for over 50 years we’re still fresh and hip.”
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