It’s a Farce! MCC Theatre Department to Stage Award-Winning Play

If you are in need of a break from studying, working or responsibilities – Middlesex Community College’s Theatre Department will keep you laughing in your seat with their production of Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off.”

A play “called ‘the funniest farce ever written,’ ‘Noises Off’ presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called ‘Nothing’s On.’ Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play.”

The first act depicts a disastrous dress rehearsal; the second act portrays the behind-the-scenes antics of a matinee performance; and the third act shows the end of the tour – set breaking down, characters at odds and plot lost to hapless improvisation.

MCC student Samantha Foti plays Poppy in the production – a character she has wanted to portray since high school. She calls Poppy “a disaster who is just trying her best to not fall apart” and feels as though this makes the character relatable.

Foti explains the difference between acting in a comedy versus a dramatic play or musical.

“With a play like this, it's about letting go of that control and really just allowing yourself to have fun with it. Even in one's own personal life, everyone tries so hard to have self-control and hold back their emotions. ‘Noises Off’ is the complete opposite of that notion. I think the mood in every rehearsal is always lighthearted and enjoyable because of it.”

Karen Oster, MCC Chairwoman of Performing Arts, explains why she selected “Noises Off.”

“We have been wanting to do ‘Noises Off’ for quite some time and have never had the facility to be able to do it – due to the complex nature of the scenery. Now that we have this wonderful new building, we are not only able to finally do ‘Noises Off,’ but it has opened up opportunities for our students to work on a wider variety of productions.”

MCC’s Theatre Department is excited to stage four performances of the comedy Dec. 5, through Dec. 8, at The Richard & Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, 240 Central St., Lowell.

Curtain times for “Noises Off” are 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; 7 p.m. Saturday Dec. 7; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

Tickets are free for MCC students; $10 for MCC faculty, staff and senior citizens; and $18 for general admission. Visit the Performing Arts website www.middlesex.mass.edu/performingarts for more information and to buy tickets.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/transportation/ for parking and directions to campus. Please note: There is no onsite parking at the Academic Arts Center. The nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage, 135 Middlesex St., Lowell.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!