PLAY Performance of comedy "As Much As You Want"

Middlebury Congregational Church To Present World Premiere of “As Much As You Want” featuring the artwork of ShawnaLee W. Kwashnak.

The production will be staged in the church’s social hall, located at 1242 Whittemore Road, Middlebury (across from Westover School). Performance dates are Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. ($35 per person with a delicious three-course dinner served) and Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m. matinee ($15 per person). Families are encouraged to attend the Sunday matinee, which will feature a shorter performance suitable for younger audiences.

There is ample parking at the Church including an overflow lot in the rear, as well as additional parking just down the hill at the Shepardson center.

“As Much As You Want” is the sequel to the hit 2023 production “As You Were,” a comedy in which the will of an eccentric billionaire forced seven heirs to prove they had overcome their personal flaws in order to claim their inheritance, with Wenty L. Wentworth III, Esq., representing them. The new installment brings back Wenty, portrayed by the playwright himself, as he embarks on a fresh adventure with a new villain, hilarious twists, and a comic journey of greed, gags and growth. “I wanted to continue Wenty’s story because audiences loved watching this lovable, flawed character stumble his way toward doing the right thing,” said Avcollie. “This sequel raises the stakes, adds a new villain, and gives the audience plenty of laughs along the way.”

Chris is joined by a lively cast representing the Middlebury community and surrounding towns, including Gracian and Naya Brito, Diane Barnard, Michele Rowell Finn, Bob Giannini, Charis and Callie Hubbard, ShawnaLee (Judge Mintz) and Andrew Kwashnak (Vicars), Liam McGrath, Sal Sena, and Sue and Pete Vindigni, with music coordinated by David Obarowski. The production team includes Stage Manager Grace Avcollie, along with Roz Teleposky, Tom Cunningham, and Josh Hubbard. A delicious three-course meal will be prepared and served by Kate Avcollie and Ellen Aronheim, with the support of a dedicated team of volunteer kitchen staff.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.middleburyucc.org/mcc-players before May 8. Limited tickets will be available at the door. For questions, call the church office at 203-758-2671. Middlebury Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) gathers for worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

The play's illustrated poster was created by ACC member & portraitist, ShawnaLee W. Kwashnak, and adapted for the sequel. Many of the integral stage props were created by ShawnaLee including the Great Quackaroo Bible, the golden ducks, a painting of Wenty with his Yacht, the S.S. Wentworth, and props from the first play including the three original oil paintings of Wenty for his office scene showing the playwright, Chris Avcollie represented as Grandpappy, Daddy, and himself.  The paintings are illustrated into the poster in addition to clues about the comedy. To see an album of painted props, visit FB: Portraits by ShawnaLee and click on albums. "As Much As You Want".