Hartland Players Lead In the Laughs with New Comedy

Bringing the timeless plot line of men dressed as women, falling in love with women, the Hartland Players opens their latest comedy, Leading Ladies this Friday. 

With a slightly raunchy humor and some adult content, the show will appeal to more mature audiences looking for fun evening out.

Set in 1950's Pennsylvania, the audience is quickly introduced to small-town Meg who has big dreams and an unworthy fiance. Played by Jill Mac, the big-eyed actress soon has the heart of the audience with her as she searches for her happy ending.

Enter the flawed and jaded hero character, Leo Clark, played by Brian Pierce, an unlucky Shakespearean actor who is also the mastermind behind the plan that involves trying to steal part of an inheritance belonging to two long-lost English cousins. 

Even while dressed as a very unfortunate looking woman, Pierce was able to dominate the stage. But as the on-stage relationship grew and the audience realized Leo would have to convince innocent Meg to fall for him while overlooking the fact that he lied, deceived and originally intended to steal her rightful inheritance from her, I waited to see if Pierce could have me really believe it.

A pivotal moment was needed to help bring this relationship to life and help the audience forgive his transgressions and fall into the world where love sometimes does conquer all.

And then it happened. With a kiss, as these things usually do. But it was a very well done kiss that held power and conviction.

Kudos to Pierce and Mac for committing to the scene that actually took my surprise. And when I felt one of my eyebrows raise and I mentally nodded myself, I knew I had just become a believer.

And while the first kiss is always a crowd favorite, when Rachel Cupples burst on stage as sweet, yet gullible Audrey, the whole room seemed to light up. With her energy, comedic timing and facial expressions, my eye was drawn to her often during her time on stage.

Whether she was reciting her Shakespearean lines with a Marlon Brando accent or giving a "vocabulary lesson," Cupples was relatable and very fun to watch.

Other highlights from the quirky cast include Brandon Mac's portrayal of Jack, the faithful sidekick, whose running across the stage in 2-inch heels was just one of his more impressive moments on stage.

From Tim Arrick's believable performance of the frustrated fiancé to Bill Brezina's goofy and sometimes inappropriate Doc character, the cast did a wonderful job of not only relating to each other on stage, but making the audience believe their stories.

Directed by Stephanie Kiser and produced by Mary Jo Bell and Janet Winn, opening night for Leading Ladies will be September 27 at 8 p.m. with future performances including Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available online and at the main branch of the Cromaine library.