‘See How They Run’ opens tonight at the Actors Guild
Danny Brayer as Vicar Lionel Toop listens to Miss Skillon, played by Susan Courtney, complain in “See How They Run,” a British farce opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. Tickets remain available for today’s show and the other four performances.
From left, Ike Eastwood as Clive Winton, Kathy Frederick as Ida and Susan Courtney as Miss Skillon in “See How They Run” opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Ike Eastwood as Clive Winton and Staci Morgan as Penelope Toop speak of the old days in “See How They Run” by the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The show opens 8 p.m. today at the guild playhouse on Market Street where tickets remain for the show and others in the series. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Bayer as Lionel Toop wonders why Susan Courtney as Miss Skillon is prone on his couch in the British comedy “See How They Run” opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Bayer as Lionel Toop and Kathy Frederick as Ida in a panic over the unconcious Miss Skillon played by Susan Courtney in “See How They Run” opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Jane Mancini as Sgt. Towers takes the Russian played by George Faber into custody in “See How They Run,” a British comedy opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
George Faber as the escaped Russian explains himself to Vicar Lionel Troop played by Danny Bayer and an inquisitive Sgt. Towers played by Jane Mancini in “See How They Run.” The show opens at 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Brayer as Lionel Troop shakes while holding a pistol in a scene from “See How They Run,” the opening show of the 2023-24 season of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The comedy premieres 8 p.m. today at the guild playhouse on Market Street and also will be presented Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. Many tickets are available. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Sgt. Towers played by Jane Mancini checks papers while, from left, seated, Penelope Toop played by Staci Morgan has a gun held to her by the escaped Russian played by George Faber and Lionel Toop played by Danny Brayer looks astounded in the Actors Guild production of “See How They Run” that opens at 8 p.m. today. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
From left, Joe Stephens as the Bishop of Lax speaks to his niece Penelope Toop played by Staci Morgan while George Faber as the escaped Russian prisoner holds a gun to her in “See How They Run.” The show opens at 8 p.m. at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Brayer as Vicar Lionel Toop listens to Miss Skillon, played by Susan Courtney, complain in “See How They Run,” a British farce opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. Tickets remain available for today’s show and the other four performances.
From left, Ike Eastwood as Clive Winton, Kathy Frederick as Ida and Susan Courtney as Miss Skillon in “See How They Run” opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Ike Eastwood as Clive Winton and Staci Morgan as Penelope Toop speak of the old days in “See How They Run” by the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The show opens 8 p.m. today at the guild playhouse on Market Street where tickets remain for the show and others in the series. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Bayer as Lionel Toop wonders why Susan Courtney as Miss Skillon is prone on his couch in the British comedy “See How They Run” opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Bayer as Lionel Toop and Kathy Frederick as Ida in a panic over the unconcious Miss Skillon played by Susan Courtney in “See How They Run” opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Jane Mancini as Sgt. Towers takes the Russian played by George Faber into custody in “See How They Run,” a British comedy opening 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
George Faber as the escaped Russian explains himself to Vicar Lionel Troop played by Danny Bayer and an inquisitive Sgt. Towers played by Jane Mancini in “See How They Run.” The show opens at 8 p.m. today at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Danny Brayer as Lionel Troop shakes while holding a pistol in a scene from “See How They Run,” the opening show of the 2023-24 season of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. The comedy premieres 8 p.m. today at the guild playhouse on Market Street and also will be presented Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. Many tickets are available. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
Sgt. Towers played by Jane Mancini checks papers while, from left, seated, Penelope Toop played by Staci Morgan has a gun held to her by the escaped Russian played by George Faber and Lionel Toop played by Danny Brayer looks astounded in the Actors Guild production of “See How They Run” that opens at 8 p.m. today. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
From left, Joe Stephens as the Bishop of Lax speaks to his niece Penelope Toop played by Staci Morgan while George Faber as the escaped Russian prisoner holds a gun to her in “See How They Run.” The show opens at 8 p.m. at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. (Photo by Jess Mancini)
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PARKERSBURG -- A British farce will open the 2023-24 season at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.
The PG-rated "See How They Run" opens at 8 p.m. today for a five-show run through Oct. 7.
Played by Staci Morgan, Penelope Toop, a young American actress married to an English vicar, can't settle into life as a vicar's wife in a small village. When an old friend, an American soldier, unexpectedly shows up, she hatches a plan for the two of them to take in a show in a nearby town.
Her friend has to follow strict rules about where he is seen in uniform. Penelope convinces him to masquerade as a vicar and the silliness begins.
"In the tradition of great farces, this show includes mistaken identity, lots of running and hiding, and tons of fun. The script, by British playwright Philip King, is filled with funny lines and wacky characters," Director Greg Merritt said. "We hope to start this season with big laughs. Each show set for this season will be a crowd-pleaser."
An important bishop, a visiting priest and an escaped Russian prisoner who masquerades as a vicar show up to add to the confusion.
"No one is quite sure what to think," Merritt said. "Ida, the maid, tries her best to stay ahead of the confusion. Miss Skillon, a local busybody, is completely caught-up in the confusion, and the sergeant assigned to capture the Russian cannot understand why there are so many vicars."
Morgan returns to the Guild stage after nearly seven years.
"Audiences should stay on their toes because there's a ton of tiny comedic things you might miss if you blink," she said.
Charlie Smith, who plays the Rev. Humphrey, also is returning after a lengthy absence.
"I was in 'Avenue Q' in the 2013-2014 season. I suffered a stroke the following year and didn't really have the confidence to get back on stage," he said. "I'm very excited to be performing in front of a live audience again."
This is Smith's second performance in "See How They Run." Smith made his stage debut 25 years ago as Lionel Toop with the Berean Players in Athens and Nelsonville.
"I was hooked instantly on opening night," Smith said. "Running around in my underwear in front of hundreds of people was definitely an interesting way to get into the theater. Playing a different character after 25 years is sort of a full circle moment for me."
The cast is Danny Bayer as Lionel Toop, Staci Morgan as Penelope Toop, Susan Courtney as Miss Skillon, Kathy Frederick as Ida, Ike Eastwood as Clive Winton, Joe Stephens as the Bishop of Lax, Charlie Smith as the Rev. Humphrey, George Faber as the Man and Jane Mancini as Sgt. Towers.
The production staff in addition to Merritt, is assistant director Terri Borrelli, Technical Director Nathan Arnold, Assistant Director Terri Borrelli -- Assistant Director, Costumer Reinnie Leavitt, Stage Manager Rachel McClung and Adviser Barbara Full.
Curtain times are 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Ample tickets for all shows remain as of Thursday and are available at https://www.actors-guild.com/buy-tickets.html.
Opening night tickets are $10. Tickets on other nights are $20 and $18 for students and seniors.