Carol Ann Eford was already cracking up and the Toledo Repertoire Theatre production of The Fox on the Fairway that she is directing was still a few days away from its Friday opening.
She was asked about her favorite part of the Ken Ludwig slapstick comedy and she mentioned a scene in which the various characters all over-imbibe on alcohol.
"It really gets hysterical. I don't want to let too much out of the bag," she said as she erupted in laughter just thinking about it.
The play is set at the Quail Valley Golf and Country Club as the annual Interclub golf championship is under way. There are mistaken identities, plenty of gags, and general goofiness that falls in line with some of Ludwig's other works, including Leading Ladies and Moon Over Buffalo.
Erford said she is drawn to this type of humor.
"I just love the comedy -- the slapstick, the farce, the Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke, physical comedy, and [Ludwig's plays] are usually full of a lot of that."
Starring in the local production are Kate Abu Absi, Ashley Gage, Kari Kapszukiewicz, Lane Hakel, Heath Huber, and Doug Kruse.
"This is a show to come and just be entertained," Erford said. "You have nothing to think about. You can get away from the worries of the world and have a really good time and go home with a smile on your face."
"The Fox on the Fairway" will be performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. It will also be presented Jan. 24, 25, and 26 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 27 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors aged 60 and older, $10 for students 13 and older, and $5 for students 12 and younger. The Toledo Repertoire Theatre is at 16 10th St. Information: www.toledorep.org or 419-243-9277.
Life-changing events
The Glacity Theatre Collective will present the area premiere of Circle Mirror Transformation this weekend and next weekend.
The Annie Baker play takes place in a Vermont community center where five disparate people come together for a theater class. There is the co-director of the community center and the leader of the class, an ex-hippie, a big-city actress, a divorced carpenter, and a sullen teenager.
All of them undergo transformations in their lives as they participate in various theater-related activities and workshops.
The play debuted in New York three years ago and won the 2010 Obie Award for Best New Play.
The cast is Megan Aherne, Risa Beth Cohen, Ben Pryor, Juan Rodriguez, and Pamela Tomassetti. Holly Monsos is director.
"Circle Mirror Transformation" will be presented tonight, Friday, and Saturday and Jan. 24, 25, and 26. All performances are at 8 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul's Methodist Church, 1201 Madison Ave. Tickets are $20 at the door with the exception of a "pay what you can" performance Jan. 24. Information and advance tickets: glacity.org.
Updating a classic
The National Players will present a completely different take on Romeo and Juliet Saturday at Ohio Northern University that presents the star-crossed lovers in contemporary digital society.
The production promises to be visceral, fresh, and a unique mixing of the old and new.
The production will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts on the Ada, Ohio, campus. Tickets are $25 for general admission, faculty, and staff; $10 for ONU students and children. Information: 419-772-1900.
Please send theater items at least two weeks in advance to jnjaim@theblade.com.