This weekend marks the last opportunity to see Church Hill Theatre’s production of Gore Vidal’s Visit to a Small Planet, which local reviewer Peter Heck states, “reveals many of the absurdities we earthlings take for granted… this one [is] entertaining–and thought-provoking.” This quirky comedy is satirical and honest, and touches on everything from aliens to war, to sex and the media—all with a lighthearted 1950’s tone. CHT’s full-time Administrative Assistant Liz Clarke directs Visit, which will run through April 17th.
An unusual tourist by the name of Kreton, who hails from another galaxy, arrives in Manassas to observe the American Civil War. Unfortunately, he lands a century too late in the Spelding family’s back yard—right in the rose bush! While at first disappointed, Kreton ultimately decides to create his own far more exciting thermonuclear war. Hilarity ensues as his hosts and their friends muster their human ingenuity to outwit this alien with exceptional super powers.
Liz Clarke, who recently directed Picasso at the Lapin Agile for the Gunston School and Five Women Wearing the Same Dress for CHT, states that the play “has as much to say about daily life in America today as it did 60 years ago.” Clarke has assembled a strong cast and production team to realize this idea in a whimsical and comical fashion.
Clarke and the Church Hill Theatre teamed up with the Animal Welfare League of Queen Anne’s County to acquire a feline actress to portray the role of Rosemary, the Spelding family’s cat. Amber, a captivating brown tabby who is making her stage debut, embraces the role like a natural and will be up for adoption after the play closes.
Visit to a Small Planet runs from April 1 – 17, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for members, and $10 for students, with special prices for groups of fifteen or more. CHT also has attractive membership deals and FlexTicket rates for its entire 2016 season. For more information on the season, or to make reservations call the CHT office at 410-556-6003 or visit CHT online at www.churchhilltheatre.org.
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