HUSH UP, SWEET CHARLOTTE returns to Erie stages March 1-10 after a 12 year break, at DRAMASHOP
Michael Weiss, founder of the former Directors Circle Theatre in Erie, brings back his cast in the hilarious spoof of the film "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte' that was a 1964 psychological thriller that starred Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Agnes Moorehead and Joseph Cotton."Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte" runs at Dramashop, 1001 State St, Erie PA March 1 through March 10.
The spoof, which first came to Weiss' attention in 2005, played to sold out houses in the summer of 2006 and a return engagement the following New Years. The late Erie actress, Jo Laurie and her husband Rick had seen it in its premiere in San Francisco and brought it to his attention. It had originally starred nationally and internationally known female impersonators Matthew Martin (who adapted the film script) and Varla Jean Merman. They later made it into an independent film with Mink Stole assuming the role of Velma, played in the original film by Moorehead.
For many years, Weiss and other members of the cast had been besieged by requests to bring the production back. Several weeks ago, while speaking with Zach Flock, Artistic and Managing Director of Dramashop, now in the former Directors Circle space on the second floor of the Renaissance Centre, he learned of their plans to build a 2 story set for an upcoming show in the space. It was a perfect match to what he had built before, and the board agreed to allow the company to squeeze a production in between their scheduled season of shows.
He was able to assemble the majority of the original cast and they almost immediately began rehearsal.
For those unfamiliar with the storyline, in 1964, Charlotte Hollis is an aging, wealthy southern spinster living on her family's plantation in Hollisport, Lousiana. The parish intends to demolish the house and build a new highway through the property. This decision is met with opposition from Charlotte, who, ignoring the eviction notice and refusing to leave, keeps the foreman, his crew and bulldozers away by shooting at them.
In 1927, as a young debutante, Charlotte was in love with a married man named John Mayhew.
When her father insists that John call it off when they were about to elope after a summer's eve ball, John is found slaughtered that night in the summer house, missing his head and a hand. Though everyone thought this was Charlotte's doing, her guilt was never proven. After her father's death she lived in solitude protecting a guilty family secret.
In the present, Charlotte's cousin Miriam arrives to help her with her dilemma and strange things begin to happen that threaten to drive Charlotte into madness.
While true to the original screenplay, add in two female impersonators, some outrageous costumes, and sight and sound gags, this hilarious production takes on an entirely different attitude, while maintaining the integrity of the original story.
Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte opens Friday, March 1st and plays thru Sunday, March 10th.
Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 PM March 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th, and 2PM on Sunday, March 3rd and 10th. Tickets may be obtained at WWW.DRAMASHOP.ORG. Prices are $12.00 online and $15.00 at the door on a first come, first served basis.
The production is directed by Michael Weiss and stars Buddy Pacy, Rod Williams, Lara Schaaf, Don Kirsch, Linda Gamble, Sean Morgan, Karl Seman and Ben Robson.
