"My Three Angels" opens at Masquers
Latest play "a story of hope" director says
The latest Masquers Theater play "My Three Angels promises a devilish good time, starting June 18.
The play, written by Sam and Bella Sewack and directed by Cheri Barbre, tells a story of a wealthy family in the French Guiana, composed of a businessman named Felix, (Richard Elvin), his wife Emilie (Tia Tracy), and their daughter Marie Louise (Katie Busse).
Three caring, well-spoken convicts, Jules, Alfred and Joseph (Randy Brooks, Eric Van Woert, and Bob Jasman) are employed by the family to fix the roof of their home, from where a very unique friendship grows between the cons and their hosts.
The sextet's life in the colony is interrupted by the visit from France of money-hungry relatives; Eric Suitter in the role of the evil uncle and Raul Harnasch as the cold-blooded nephew.
Though they speak freely of some of their past criminal shenanigans, the convicts use their street know-how to set matters straight between the family and their greedy relatives. In doing so, they reveal themselves, as three prison garb-wearing angels to the family.
"It's a story of hope," Barbre said. "If you want to tie it to what is happening nationally, hope is something the U.S. is missing. People don't seem to be optimistic about Iraq and the economy. Here is a story of convicts who have hope."
Barbre said there are several reasons why people should come to the Masquers' Jeanette Jolly Theater and see "My Three Angels."
"Everybody needs a good laugh," she said, adding that the cast included four of the best actors in the region.
"It's hard to get (Brooks, Jasman, Suitter and Van Woert) on one stage," she said. "It's very unusual."
The director described the show as a good starting point for people who have not come to the theater. "It's a good 'kids' show," she said, "to get kids into theater. It's lighthearted, there are good actors, and there are a few laughs, too."
Randy Brooks praised his director and cast saying that working with Suitter, Jasman and Van Woert "is a safety valve. If anything goes wrong, they are going to pick it up." Brooks called Barbre "a good director who knows what is going on."
Tia Tracy, working on only her fourth play, said she always wanted to work with experienced actors. "It's an all-star cast," she said.
Bobbie Christie in the role of Madame Parole is part of this cast, as well. The play will run June 18 and 19, 25 and 26, and July 2 and 3, at 8 p.m. There will be two Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. on June 20 and 27. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows will be $12, while the matinees are half-price. Tickets for kids 12 and under are $6 for all shows, when accompanied by an adult.
For reservations, please call (509) 246-2611.