FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (4/05)
Contact: Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, 318-869-5242, or Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 318-869-5120

See also Times article about The Dresser

Marjorie Lyons Playhouse to Present Seven Performances of The Dresser Beginning April 14

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Dresser, the acclaimed back-stage drama by Ronald Harwood, will open at Centenary College's Marjorie Lyons Playhouse April 14 for a seven performance run.

The Dresser will be the final production of director Robert Buseick’s tenure at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse. Buseick has served as the chairman of the Theatre Department for 35 years and has amassed 184 productions as a director. Many of his productions, such as Marat/Sade, Cabaret, A Little Night Music, Bent, Look Homeward Angel, Angels in America, Vivat Vivat Regina, Fiddler on the Roof and Sweeney Todd, changed the face of local theatre.

The Dresser runs April 14-16 and 21-23 at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on April 17. There will be a preview performance April 13 at 7 p.m.

Cost for tickets for all performances are: adults $15; senior citizens, $13; and non-Centenary students, $10. The preview tickets are $7 for all seats.

One of the most highly honored plays of the 1981 Broadway season and nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play, The Dresser is an affectionate, funny and moving portrait of life backstage with a traveling theatre company in 1942 war-torn England.

Sir, the actor-manager of the company, is nearing a mental breakdown. After a lifetime on stage, the pressures have become too much, especially now that the war has taken all the able-bodied men and left Sir with a depleted cast of old men, cripples and inappropriate boys.

While the cast grows frantic at the threat of the cancellation of their show, Norman, Sir's devoted dresser, struggles to brace his master for the performance. Combining tender sympathy and nanny-like severity, Norman tries to lift his fallen monarch of the stage for one last triumph.

The Dresser was made into a film starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay. The film received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. A recent production has just opened in London starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Julian Glover.

Because of the English production, all rights for the play have been restricted but the Marjorie Lyons production was allowed by special permission by the author. Heading the cast as Norman, the dresser, is Patric McWilliams. McWilliams is a veteran of local theater and has received many awards for his performances in shows, which include Bent, Angels in America, Lonely Planet, Grand Hotel, Nine, Art, Gross Indecency and I Hate Hamlet. McWilliams was last seen in MLP's 1776 as John Adams.

Jim Montgomery will appear as Sir. Montgomery has numerous credits, including The Tempest, The Bat, Noises Off, A Little Night Music, Peter Pan, Electra, The Heiress, 42nd Street and Art. Montgomery was last seen at the Playhouse as Benjamin Franklin in 1776.

Appearing as Her Ladyship, Sir’s wife, will be Jodie Glorioso. Glorioso was in MLP’s Three Tall Women, The Diary of Anne Frank, Electra and Desire Under the Elms. Glorioso is the voice professor for the Centenry Department of Theatre and Dance.

Anysia Manthos, who was recently seen in The Distance from Here, will play Irene, the company’s ingénue. Manthos had major roles in The Beauty Queen of Leenance, The Bat, The Laramie Project, Electra and Women Behind Bars.

Ashley Beckham will appear as Madge, the company’s stage manager. Beckham starred as Angel in this season’s When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Additionally, Beckham has been in Women Behind Bars, The Wayside Motor Inn, Winnie the Pooh, Electra and Gypsy.

Rounding out the cast as actors in Sir’s troupe are Joshua Porter, Patrick LeRay, Don Hooper, Adam Boyd, Christopher Comeaux and Patrick Kelly.

The set design and light design is by Don Hooper and costume design is by McWilliams.

Vanna Richardson is the assistant director/stage manager.

For further information, call the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse at 318-869-5242.

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