Posted by Mary Wimberley on 2007-02-13

Samford University Theatre will present the comedy Noises Off March 1-4 as its first show of the spring semester. The cast includes several Over the Mountain area residents.

The "play within a play" by Michael Frayn follows the missteps of a hapless theatre company attempting to produce a farce called "Nothing On."

The work centers on the personal relationships among the cast that lead to offstage mischief and onstage pandemonium. The audience sees the actors from the first ridiculously dreadful rehearsals, to opening night as seen from backstage, to the mistake-filled final performance.

Kathryn Francisco of Marietta, Ga., and Katherine Upchurch of Atlanta, Ga., share the female lead role of Dotty Otley. They also perform the role of Mrs. Clackett, a character in Nothing On, the "play within a play." John Cooley of Shannon plays the lead male role of Lloyd Dallas.

Other members of the ensemble cast are Sarah Bamberg, Rush Brunson, Angel Laurens, Brad Roller, Natalie Saxon, Laura Smith, Preston Sullivan, Neal Tucker and Kelli Winn.

Samford director of theatre Dr. Don Sandley directs the play. Emily Hoppe is assistant director and Jessica Barton is stage manager.

Show times in Samford's Harrison Theatre are 7:30 p.m. on March 1, 2 and 3; and 2:30 p.m. on March 4. Tickets are $8 adult, $7 senior adult and $5 student/child. For information and reservations, call (205) 726-2853.

Noises Off was adapted for the screen in 1992. The film, directed by Peter Bogdanovich, starred Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, John Ritter and Nicolette Sheridan.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.