Posted 1/5/12 – Playwright Ken Ludwig is a favorite with Sierra Madre Playhouse audiences. His shows there have included “Leading Ladies,” “Moon Over Buffalo” and “Lend Me A Tenor.” Now there’s “Twentieth Century,” his hilarious 21st century adaptation of the 1932 Broadway hit by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur.
The glamorous passenger train Twentieth Century Limited, which ran between New York and Chicago between 1902 and 1967, is the main setting of this screwball comedy’s action.
Oscar Jaffe, an egomaniacal Broadway producer who has sustained a string of recent flops and is now dodging creditors, boards the train heading to New York. On the train, he spots his former Broadway leading lady and muse, Lily Garland, now a Hollywood movie star, and schemes to have her signed to star in his new play and thereby save his career and stay out of jail. But she’s on her way to meet with his competitor, Max Jacobs, to sign up for his play.
Jaffe believes he’s found an investor in a fellow passenger and heiress, Miss Clark, who could write a check big enough to entice Lily to renew her working relationship with Oscar and save his show. Little does Oscar know that Miss Clark has just escaped from a mental asylum.
There’s action, a little romance, fast-paced dialogue and a dash of slapstick.
“A thrilling funhouse ride.”—The New Yorker
WHAT: “Twentieth Century.” A comedy.
WHO: Adapted by Ken Ludwig. Based on the play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur and on the play by Charles Bruce Milholland. Directed by Michael Lorre. Produced by Christine Soldate and Estelle Campbell. Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind theatre.
WHEN: January 27- March 17, 2012. Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. Dark on Sunday, January 29. The Gala Opening Night performance on Friday, January 27 is preceded by a Champagne reception and light buffet at 7:15 p.m.
ADMISSION: $25 general; $22 seniors (65+) and students (13-17); $15 children 12 and under.
RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318.
ONLINE TICKETING: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org