Behind eight-closed-doors: St. Charles' Ann Keen stars in "Unnecessary Farce" at Pheasant Run

Fox Valley Repertory continues their 2015 theater series with Paul Slade Smith’s frantically funny eight-door farce, Unnecessary Farce. The award-winning stage comedy is directed by Ronan Marra with performances taking place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage from March 26 – May 24, 2015 (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

Unnecessary Farce combines all the elements of classic farce with a contemporary American plot. In a motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next-door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s being videotaped, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hit man, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes. Pants fall down, doors slam, identities get mistaken, and the laughs certainly flow.

“There were two rules for this production: do it honestly, and do it fast,” says Director Ronan Marra. “Sounds simple, but it takes a group of very cunning people to make those rules fly. Casting can be difficult at times, but not for this one. We just called on the funniest people we saw, and it’s been a blast to work on.”

St. Charles Actor Ann Keen knows playwright Paul Slade Smith well, and was excited at the chance of playing the role of the mayor’s wife, Mary Meekly, in the production.

“This show is not only written funny, but the chemistry of the cast is terrific. Everyone is well cast and the show has kept people laughing from beginning to end,” says Keen. “I can honestly say that I am still laughing back stage at my talented cast mates – and I have heard them say their lines since March! People will just have a really good time and see some really talented actors work their comedic magic.”

Playwright Paul Slade Smith was named one of “50 To Watch” writers of exceptional merit and promise by The Dramatist magazine in 2007. Paul turned to writing after fifteen years as an actor in Chicago, where his credits include the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott, Drury Lane, and Royal George Theatres. Unnecessary Farce is his second play, and it was penned during his spare time while on the national tour of Wicked. Since its premiere in 2006, there have been more than 155 productions across the country.

“The silliness and the fast pace of the show is what makes this show a success,” adds Keen. “If you had time to think about all the jokes, you would stop and say “that is so ridiculous!” But you can’t – because you’re too busy laughing at the next bit of silliness. If is just great fun and the audience is in on it.”

The cast of Unnecessary Farce also features: Joseph Galizia (previously in Fox Valley Rep’s Brighton Beach Memoirs), Vered Hankin, Jim Heatherly of Bloomingdale, Joe McCauley, Lorelei Sturm, and John Wehrman.

Unnecessary Farce runs Thursday, March 26, 2015 through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Show times are: Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, and Sundays @ 2pm. Tickets are priced at $32 on Fridays, and at $42 on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner packages, group discounts and overnight rates are also available.

Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets and additional information, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.foxvalleyrep.org.