ANYTHING TO DECLARE?
Wild French Farce Opens on January 20
Sarasota, Florida (December 28, 2005) - Considered one of the most popular farces when it was first written by Pierre Veber and Maurice Hennequin in 1895, Anything to Declare? has been translated and adapted by Greg Leaming who has infused it with a slightly more modern appeal. Pierre Hennequin was one of the strong influences on George Feydeau (A Flea in Her Ear). Leaming, whose translation/adaptation of A Flea in Her Ear was nominated in 2002 for Best New Play by the Dallas Theatre Critics Association, is the new director of the FSU Asolo Conservatory as well as associate artistic director of the Asolo Theatre Company. This is his first directing project for the Asolo’s mainstage.
The cast of Anything to Declare? features Asolo resident actors Bradford Wallace, Carolyn Michael, James Clarke, and David Breitbarth; and brings back professional guest artist Richard B. Watson, who wowed audiences in the 2004-2005 season as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes and The West End Horror. Scenic design is by the renowned artist Steven Rubin and the period costume design is by Michele Macadaeg.
Updated to take place in 1912, Anything to Declare? is a highly amusing sex farce set in Paris, France. Paulette and Robert de Trivelin have just been married much to the chagrin of Paulette's ex-fiancé, La Baule. Paulette's parents, Benjamin and Adelaide, are desperate for a male heir and are devastated to hear upon return from the honeymoon that the newlyweds have yet to consummate their marriage. Apparently, on the train, on the wedding night, the customs officer burst into their cabin at the critical moment asking “Have you anything to declare?” Unnerved by this incident, Robert has since been able to…perform. The parents give Robert three days to solve the problem or the marriage will be annulled and Paulette will be given to La Baule. The advice Robert receives is that this is not a problem for amateurs. Issues such as these require the help of a professional. The rest is, well, French Farce.
Preview performances for Anything to Declare? are at 8PM on January 18 and 19, 2006. The play opens Friday, January 20 at 8PM and runs through April 27, 2006. The opening night performance is followed by a complimentary champagne and “mingle with the stars” reception in the theatre lobby. Ticket prices for the play are from $16 to $48, depending on the performance day and time, with special discounts for students, seniors, and groups of 10 or more. Call 941-351-8000 or toll-free at 800-361-8388, or order online at www.asolo.org.
*******************************************************************
FACT SHEET
PRESENTED BY THE ASOLO THEATRE COMPANY
Howard J. Millman, Producing Artistic Director
WHAT Anything to Declare? by Pierre Veber and Maurice Hennequin, translated and adapted by Greg Leaming
WHERE The Asolo Theatre Company
In the Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theatre
5555 N. Tamiami Trail - Sarasota, Florida 34243
WHO Directed by: Greg Leaming
Scenic Design: Steven Rubin
Costume Design: Michele Macadaeg
Fight Director: Clay Van Sickle
Lighting Design: James D. Sale
Sound Design: Matthew Parker
Voice, Speech and Dialect Coach: Patricia Delorey
Production Manager: Victor Meyrich
Stage Manager: Marian Wallace*
Wig/Hair Design: Michelle Hart-Bizzell
CAST Lise Dupont Norah Sweeney*
Gontran Brit Whittle
Ernestine Heather Gulling
La Baule Ross Boeringer
Benjamin Du Pont Bradford Wallace*
Adelaide Du Pont Carolyn Michael*
Phillipe Couzon James Clarke*
Frontignac David Breitbarth
Paulette De Trivelin Mariam Habib
Robert De Trivelin Richard B. Watson
Mademoiselle Zeze Leslie Dodge Crane
Francois Bryan Crossan
Mariette Darlene Horne
A Policeman John Long*
OPENING NIGHT Friday, January 20,2006 at 8 p.m. Join us in the lobby after the opening night show for food, fun and champagne, where guests will “Mingle with the Stars” and the creative team.
Anything to Declare? runs for approximately 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission.
SYNOPSIS Updated to take place in 1912 Paris, Anything to Declare? is a highly amusing French sex farce. Paulette and Robert de Trivelin have just been married much to the chagrin of Paulette's ex-fiancé, La Baule. Paulette's parents, Benjamin and Adelaide, are desperate for a male heir and are devastated to hear upon return from the honeymoon that the newlyweds have yet to consummate their marriage. Apparently, on the train, on the wedding night, a customs officer burst into their cabin at the critical moment shouting - “Have you anything to declare?” Unnerved by this incident, Robert has since been able to…perform. The parents give Robert three days to solve the problem or the marriage will be annulled and Paulette will be given to La Baule. The advice Robert receives is that this is not a problem for amateurs. Issues such as these require the help of a professional.
PREVIEWS Wednesday, Jan 18 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Jan 19 at 8 p.m.
SHOW TIMES
01/18/06 Wed 8pm Preview
01/19/06 Thu 8pm Preview
01/20/06 Fri 8pm Opening
01/22/06 Sun 2pm Playtalk
01/31/06 Tue 8pm
02/04/06 Sat 8pm
02/08/06 Wed 2pm
02/17/06 Fri 8pm
03/01/06 Wed 8pm Audio
03/04/06 Sat 8pm
03/11/06 Sat 2pm
03/14/06 Tue 8pm
03/18/06 Sat 8pm
03/23/06 Thu 8pm Playtalk
03/26/06 Sun 2pm Audio
03/30/06 Thu 2pm
04/01/06 Sat 2pm Insights
04/05/06 Wed 2pm
04/06/06 Thu 2pm
04/11/06 Tue 8pm
04/14/06 Fri 8pm
04/19/06 Wed 8pm
04/20/06 Thu 2pm
04/26/06 Wed 2pm
04/27/06 Thu 8pm Closing
PLAYTALKS
This is a free opportunity for the community to meet the actors of each play and participate in an animated and honest discussion about the production process. Tickets to show prior to the discussion are $16-$48. (In the Mertz Theatre)
January 22 after the 2 p.m. performance, approximately at 4 p.m.
March 23 after the 8 p.m. evening performance, approximately at 10 p.m.
INSIGHTS
A FREE hour-long discussion on select Saturday mornings that provides unique opportunities to look at the work done by members of the design team in order for a show to open. The discussion is FREE; you may purchase tickets to the 2:00 p.m. performance following the discussion for $16-$44; however, attendance to the show is not required. April 1 at 11 a.m. in the Mertz Theatre
AUDIO
DESCRIBED A service provided by the Asolo where specially trained audio describers provide elaborate audio imagery of the play action and setting to the visually impaired audience member through a headset system.
Sunday, March 1, 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26, 2:00 p.m.
TICKETS Box Office 941-351-8000 or 800-361-8388
Group Sales (10 or more) toll free 877-427-6567
www.asolo.org
$16-$48 (Children are HALF PRICE)
CORPORATE CO-PRESENTERS Northern Trust Bank
Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen
C0-PRODUCERS Bruce and India Lesser – IndiaBenton Lesser Foundation Cheryl Loeffler; Vincent and Joan Macaluso; Nancy Markle; Brian and Linda Remley Sabbagh; Martin A. Samowitz Foundation; Mildred Stein
SEASON PRESENTERS Designing Women Boutique; Esther M. Mertz; Virginia B. Toulmin
PRESENTERS Stanley and Janet Kane; Ira and Joan Mendell; Bob and Lee Peterson
###
The Asolo is funded in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State, The Florida Arts Council, the City and County of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Sarasota Arts Council. Additional funding is also received through the efforts of support groups including the Asolo Angel Association, the Asolo Theatre Guild, The Directors Emeritus and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.