Thursday, 28 March 2024

‘Mother May I?’ raises funds for Lake Family Resource Center

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Rehearsals are going strong for the smash comedy, “Mother May I,” written and directed by local playwright Marcello Bice.

The show, which includes dinner, wine and dessert, will run Sept. 23, 24 and 25, and the curtain opens at 6 p.m.

Lake Family Resource Center is hosting this fundraising event to support the local Meals on Wheels Program.

Senior Services Director Denise Johnson, who also serves as an executive producer, is excited about launching more theater on the stage at the senior center.

Starring in the play is Ukiah resident Laurie Strantz, a veteran actress from the Middletown Repertory Theater, who has delighted many audiences by starring in local shows like “Crimes of the Heart,” “Noises Off,” “Beyond Therapy” and Cobb Mountain Elementary School's “Peter Pan.”

Ms. Strantz will be playing the lead role of Dottie, the ghost of a mother who cannot help but meddle in the love life of her daughter, Sarah, played by Bre'ana, also a resident of Ukiah and veteran actress for Middletown Repertory Theater.

Her love interest, Jack, is played by local police officer Juan Altamirano.

Joining the cast in the other starring role of Madam Vajra, is Lake County Theater Co.'s own Laura Barnes who will play a psychic medium hired by Sarah on Mother's Day to perform an exorcism.

Barnes brings to the production an extensive and impressive 15 year theatrical background in many successful local productions from the LCTC, including the recent Shakespeare at the Lake.

One of the many highlights of this type of “immersive theater,” as Director Bice calls it, is an ensemble who will be performing comic improvisation as waiters and waitresses in an imaginary restaurant.

“The last time we created a restaurant,” said Bice, “people called for reservations months after the show closed to go to this place that never existed!”

Bice is a graduate of UCLA's prestigious School of Theatre, Film and Television, and is known locally for his unusual avant-garde theatrical productions. His new film company Savant Garde Inc. is working in association with Lake FRC to raise money for Meals on Wheels.

“Mother May 1?” is the winner of a playwrights' festival and was performed originally to standing ovations at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa.

“When I won, I was excited, but I wasn't allowed to cast the play or be at any rehearsals,” said Bice. “I'm grateful to the executive director, Lisa Morrow, and everyone at Lake Family Resource Center for letting me be part of that creative process."

The ensemble cast has been rehearsing comic improvisational skills each week and is enthusiastic about exploring their new skills in the upcoming performances.

The supporting cast will be Cindy Jasser, Lillie Bower, Richard Crow, Margie Loesch, and Amirah Jasser.

“I just think the community needs this right now, and I'm so excited to see all this talent come together for such a good cause,” said production coordinator Alicia Adams.

Tickets are $50 each. Purchase them here.

Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
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04.15.2024
Tax Day

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