Village Players presents thought-provoking 'Third'

From left, Randy Stuckey, Steve Van Sickle, Ed Mooney, Shawn Liechty, Jan Delaney, and Teresa Van Sickle of ‘Angel Street.'

Maryjo Gavin and James MacFarlane in the Village Players' production of ‘Third.'

Wendy Wasserstein explored such topics as feminism, family, and pop culture in her plays, which include The Heidi Chronicles, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize. She died of lymphoma in 2006, the year after her final play, Third, was published.

Third gets its local premiere when the Village Players opens the show tomorrow in its Upton Avenue theater. The story takes place in the early part of this century, when a conservative student from a small Ohio town gets a wrestling scholarship at a liberal New England college, which his father and grandfather attended, according to director Derek Hansen.

When the student, Woodson Bull III, nicknamed Third, writes a paper for his English class, his professor, Laurie Jameson, is initially delighted by its quality. She soon becomes skeptical that a student - a jock, at that - could come up with something that perceptive and well written, and she begins to suspect him of plagiarism.

The whole gist of the play, Hansen said, is that the liberal left can be as judgmental as the conservative right. It's a drama with some comedic elements, he said. "It's pretty thought-provoking but not so deep that you will want to slit your wrists."

Hansen's cast comprises Maryjo Gavin as Laurie Jameson, James MacFarlane as Third, Elizabeth Cottle as Emily Imbrie, John Henry as Jack Jameson, and Pamela Kate Arnos as Nancy Gordon. Except for Henry, they're all newcomers to the Village stage.

"It's a great cast," Hansen said. "They've all been very dedicated to their roles. It's all been collaborative ... no egos at all."

The Village Players presents "Third" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through March 20 in the theater at 2740 Upton Ave. A matinee is at 2 p.m. March 14. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Information: 419-472-6817.

It's a family affair in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, as husband and wife Steve and Teresa Van Sickle portray the married couple at the center of Angel Street.

From left, Randy Stuckey, Steve Van Sickle, Ed Mooney, Shawn Liechty, Jan Delaney, and Teresa Van Sickle of ‘Angel Street.'

The psychological thriller by Patrick Hamilton is set in London of the 1880s, but the themes are universal, including good versus evil, an abusive husband, and infidelity, according to director Michelle Johnson of Archbold Community Theatre, which is presenting the show.

On the surface, the couple seems typical of the times, an older gentleman and younger wife living in quiet comfort.

She is obedient; he is master of his home. Yet all is not what it seems.

Rounding out the cast are Jan Delaney as Elizabeth, the housekeeper, Randy Stuckey as Inspector Rough, Corryn Short as Nancy, the scullery maid, and Ed Mooney and Shawn Liechty as the policemen.

Archbold Community Theatre presents "Angel Street" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through March 13 and 2:30 p.m. March 14. Advance tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. At the door, all tickets are $9. Information: Patti at 419-267-5717 from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Manor House at Wildwood Preserve Metropark, 5100 West Central Ave., will be the scene of a murder - sort of - tomorrow.

Theatergoers will be seated at tables in the living room and solarium to enjoy a full meal as actors from Memory Works Dinner Theater present Murder Gets the Vote among them.

The fun begins at 6 p.m., and tickets are $40 for Metropark members, $50 for the general public. Information: 419-407-9700.

•Caryl Crane Children's Theatre in Huron, Ohio, opens its 24th season tonight with Cinderella's Glass Slipper. A cast of 28, composed of students from BGSU Firelands as well as adults and children from area communities, will present a musical version of the fairy tale about a scullery maid who wins the heart of a prince -with a little help from her fairy godmother.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. p.m. today-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in McBride Auditorium at BGSU Firelands in Huron. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children, and $4 for BGSU students. Information: 419-433-5560, ext. 20747

•Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday in Owens Community College's Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 30335 Oregon Rd., Perrysburg. Based on Roald Dahl's book about a boy who wins a contest to visit a chocolate factory run by the mysterious Willy Wonka, the play will be presented in spoken word and American Sign Language by Sign Stage on Tour, with a cast of deaf and hearing actors. The performance is the third in the series of Family Fun Sundays at the college. Tickets are $15. Information: 567-661-2787.

•One of William Shakespeare's best-loved comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, will be presented at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center of Lourdes College, 6832 Sylvania Blvd., as part of the Theater Vision series. The tale revolves around two couples: Hero and Claudio, who are devoted to each other, and Beatrice and Benedick, who are always verbally sparring. When a bitter troublemaker sets out to destroy the love between Hero and Claudio, Beatrice and Benedick join forces to keep them together. The play is being presented by the National Players, a professional troupe from Olney, Md. Tickets are $8. Information: 419-824-3986.

Contact Nanciann Cherry at:

ncherry@theblade.com

or 419-724-6130.