The Real Thing

By Tom Stoppard

Directed by Joe Hilsee

The Blue Room Theatre opens its 2003 season with Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, a deeply layered and brilliantly funny play about love, language, and the meaning of commitment. Directed by Joe Hilsee, who staged the acclaimed production of La Bête last December, the play will open on January 16 and run through February 2nd, at Blue Room Theatre, 139 W. 1st St., Chico.

Tom Stoppard's razor-sharp wit burns with passion in this emotionally engaging "backstage" comedy about a famous playwright, Henry, who does not know how to write about love. What ensues is the most eloquently articulate example of Mr. Stoppard's gift for cerebral comedy - in this case cerebral comedy with a heart.

Leading the ensemble cast is Samantha Perry (Annie), who is proud to be returning to Blue Room Theatre where she appeared in Dracula, Betty’s Summer Vacation and Catholic School Girls. Betty Burns (Charlotte) was last seen at the Blue Room in Two Rooms and Cloud 9. Paul Stout (Henry) most recently appeared in Indulgences in the Louisville Harem and Spokesong at the Senator Theatre. Rob Wilson (Max) will make his second appearance at the Bleu Room after playing seven roles in On the Verge last fall. Rounding out the cast will be Matt Hammons (Cloud 9, Wranglers), Giovanna Henerey (Return To Morality), and Joe Manente (Beauty Queen of Leenane, Picasso at the Lapine Agile).

Czechoslovakian-born playwright Tom Stoppard has been known for three decades as a master of witty, intelligent, multi-layered plays. His credits include the plays Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Travesties, Jumpers and Arcadia. His screenplay credits include those of Empire of the Sun and Shakespear in Love.

The performance schedule for The Real Thing is as follows: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; and one Sunday evening performance at 7:30 on February 2nd. Ticket prices range from $6 to $12. Group rates and student discounts are available. For tickets and for more information, call the Blue Room Theatre Box Office at (530) 895-3749.

Blue Room Theatre is currently selling subscriptions for the remaining productions in its Spring 2003 season, which do not require advance date commitments. For more information regarding subscriptions, contact the box office.