Playhouse decides to go Irish with ‘Lovers’

Tom Titus

There’s a definite connection between Irish playwright Bernard

Farrell and the Laguna Playhouse.

Three years ago, the playhouse introduced American audiences to

Farrell’s play “Kevin’s Bed,” which had just made its debut at

Ireland’s national theater, the Abbey. Last year, Farrell’s “Stella

by Starlight” also received its U.S. premiere at the Playhouse.

Next week, the Laguna Playhouse continues its unique association

with Farrell when “Lovers at Versailles” makes its American premiere,

fresh from its original production at the Abbey last March.

Playhouse artistic director Andrew Barnicle, who staged the first

two Farrell plays, will be at the helm of this one.

In “Lovers at Versailles,” patriarch Stephen Sullivan has suddenly

died, leaving behind his old shop, which now has an uncertain future,

and three women who now must confront life without him.

The three are his suspicious widow, Clara, his avaricious daughter

Isobel and his favored daughter Anna, who is offered a second chance

at happiness -- at a price.

At Laguna, these roles will be filled by Marcia Rodd, Kelley Hazen

and Rebecca Dines, respectively. Others in the cast are Kevin Black,

Richard Ashton, Joe Medalis, Rende Rae Norman and Carolyn Palmer.

Rodd is a noted Broadway, movie and TV veteran who was nominated

for a Tony Award for her starring role in the musical “Shelter.” Her

last stage appearance was a year ago as Mary Todd Lincoln in “The

Last of Mrs. Lincoln” at Los Angeles’ El Portal Theater.

“Part of Bernard Farrell’s great courage as a playwright is to set

up in advance a comic disaster or catastrophe of such proportions

that the audience holds its breath,” the Irish Independent wrote.

“Part of his skill is that he usually brings it off, often with

devastating humor.

“With absolute dramatic precision, brilliant dialogue and flawless

structure, the author delivers exactly what the audience both hopes

and fears,” the publication added.

Farrell’s inspiration for his latest play came from an old war

veteran he met at a bus stop and a young woman who dedicated herself

to caring for her aged father.

“In ‘Lovers at Versailles’ there is a father and daughter who, by

different circumstances, exist outside the frame of the family,”

Farrell said. “These characters are undoubtedly influenced by my two

meetings.

“And, in telling the story of these people, there is, of course,

comedy,” he said. “I could never write a play, no matter how tragic,

in which I didn’t want the audience, as often as possible, to fall

into hilarious laughter. So that is here and, perhaps, a few tears as

well? I hope so, as the lovers at Versailles come to Laguna.”

All these elements will come together in the playhouse’s

production, the first look at the play that American audiences will

receive.

“Lovers at Versailles” will be seen in preview performances at 8

p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna

Canyon Road, with opening night scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday,

Feb. 22.

The show will continue at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, at 2

and 8 p.m. Saturdays and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. There is no evening

performance on closing day, March 23. Call (949) 497-2787 for ticket

information.