By Jared Curtis

Bosom buddies

Cross dressing for a million dollars

What would you do for a large sum of money? That is exactly the question being asked by The Des Moines Playhouse’s production of “Leading Ladies,” a laugh out loud comedy of mistaken identity and scheming greed.

“This cast is composed of experienced actors, and the sense of comic timing and interplay is very strong. Needless to say, we all laugh a lot,” said director Ron Ziegler. “It is a highly entertaining and very, very funny piece performed by a strong company of players.”

Leo and Jack are two actors who are down on their luck, playing “Scenes from Shakespeare” on the Moose Lodge Circuit in Pennsylvania’s Amish country. When the duo hears about a rich elderly woman who is on her deathbed, wanting to leave her fortune to her long lost relatives, they set up a plan to grab the cash. But on their way to town, they find out, thanks to a busty roller skating waitress named Audrey (Carrie Hardisty), that the long lost relatives are not nephews, but nieces.

“Jack is a down-on-his-luck Shakes-pearian actor. Leo’s the mastermind of the two,” said Royce Dunbar, who plays Jack Gable. “Jack’s good natured and goes along with Leo’s zany scheme of impersonating women to get an inheritance.”

After changing to “Maxine” and “Stephanie,” Jack and Leo set their eyes on the prize. But the old woman isn’t knocking on death’s door as the two originally thought. Once they show up at the mansion, they meet Meg (Megan Schettler), the niece of the dying woman. Leo falls head over heels in love with her and hilarity ensues.

“Leo is frenetic and impulsive. His ambition and his survival instinct have forced him to be a bit devious, but his heart eventually rules his head,” said Maxwell Schaeffer, who plays Leo Clark. “Rehearsals have been great fun; we are constantly cracking each other up. I wish I could sit in the audience and watch us do the show.”

As any performer knows, spending time under the hot stage lights is difficult enough, but imagine being in full drag throughout the performance.

“There are a lot of costume changes,” Schaeffer said. “I’ve been running every day so I don’t pass out on stage.”

The entire cast and crew have worked hard, rehearsing and building the large set. But once the curtain rises, all of the blood, sweat and tears will be worth it.

“Ron knows exactly what he’s doing directing this thing. Don’t expect any high toned thematic stuff, just lots and lots of laughs,” Dunbar said. “This is going to be a very special production by any, not just community theater, standards. I’m pleased and proud to be a part of it.”

Stage notes: Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) will be offering an On Broadway Camp at the DMACC Urban Campus (building #3) for students entering grades six through eight. The camp will be held June 9-13, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. During the camp, students will create their own one-act play using improvisational acting techniques. Each student will play a part in this original “Broadway-Like” production that will be performed in front of an audience on June 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. Creation of the set, props, make-up, soundtrack and costumes will be part of the week’s activities directed by the camp facilitator, Ruth Ann Gaines. The registration deadline is June 2, and the cost is $99. For more information or to register, call 964-6214 or visit www.dmacc.edu/kidscollege. CV

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