"Leading Ladies," which opens tonight at the Lewiston Civic Theatre, is a story where nothing quite goes according to plan.
The first plan to go awry is that of becoming successful Shakespearean actors. That's how Jack Gable (played by Travis Osburn of Lewiston) and Leo Clark (played by Matthew DeBerard of Clarkston) find themselves desperate enough to pose as the long-lost nephews of an older ailing woman.
That plan is upset when they learn the woman is seeking not nephews, but nieces. The two young actors adjust to a drag performance in hopes of receiving the anticipated inheritance. Further complicating the matter are love interests, including the real niece, Meg Snider (played by Carolyn DeBerard of Clarkston).
"It's very much a farce," says play director Larry Goodwin. "It all breaks loose while they're trying to avoid arrest for fraud and passing on their love interests while switching from boy to girl and back."
The non-musical production runs two hours and is rated PG.
This is the debut performance by Matthew and Carolyn DeBerard on the Lewiston Civic Theatre stage. Additional characters in the production are Butch Myers (played by Andrew Hafenbreadl of Lewiston, also a first-time civic performer), Doc Myers (played by Allan Jones of Lewiston), Audrey (played by Amanda Klempel of Lewiston), the Rev. Duncan (played by Gary Wilson of Lewiston) and Florence Snider (played by Cathy Jo Zeller of Lewiston).
WHERE: Lewiston Civic Theatre, 805 Sixth Ave. in Lewiston
COST: $14 adults, $12 seniors age 60 and older, $11 student with ID, $8 children 12 and younger.
Tickets are available online at www.lctheatre.org or by calling the box office at (208) 746-3401.