URI Theatre to present a farce within a farce

‘Noises Off’ opens Nov. 29 in Will Theatre

Tony LaRoche

Omar Laguerre-Lewis, left, Brooks A. Shatraw and Katharine
Templeton in URI Theatre’s production of the farce “Noises Off,”
which opens Nov. 29 in the Robert E. Will Theatre.
Photo by Michael Salerno

The University of Rhode Island Department of Theatre will open the popular Michael Frayn comedy “Noises Off” on Nov. 29.

“Noises Off” is one of the great farces about a farce. Audiences find themselves backstage at the Weston-super-Mare production of “Noises On,” and things aren’t going well for the cast – rehearsals are taking forever, no one knows their blocking, and where do we put these sardines? Three hilarious acts take the audience from rehearsal, to the backstage, to a manic final performance.

Guest artist Chris Simpson, artistic director of The Contemporary Theatre in Wakefield, R.I., is directing “Noises Off.”

Costume design is by Jennifer Stavrakas, of Wakefield, a senior theatre major; scenic design is by guest artist, Jeffrey Modereger, who designed the set for URI’s 1992 production of “Noises Off.” Associate scenic design is by URI Theatre’s Mary Grace Moran; lighting design is by senior theatre major Cameron Waitkun, of East Greenwich, R.I.; and sound design is by guest artist Michael Hyde.

“Noises Off” runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1 and Dec. 6-8, with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre at URI Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, on the Kingston Campus. On Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, shows begin at 2 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Nov. 19. General admission is $20; $15 for seniors, URI faculty, staff and students. To purchase tickets, visit web.uri.edu/theatre, or call (401) 874-5843.

Cast of “Noises Off”

Actor, hometown, character

Katharine Templeton, Providence, Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clackett

Erik Schlicht, Cumberland, Lloyd Dallas

Brooks A. Shatraw, North Smithfield, Garry Lejeune/Rogert Tramplemain

Aredemis Kassabian, Wakefield, Brooke Ashton/Vicki

Daniel F. Greene, Easton, Mass., Frederick Fellowes/Philip Brent

Emma Becker, Tiverton, Belinda Blair

Omar Laguerre-Lewis, Rye, N.Y., Selsdon Mowbray/Burglar

Olivia Paluzzi, Braintree, Mass., Poppy

Owen Gilmartin, Wakefield, Tim Allgood

Melissa Hayes, Charlestown, Female Swing

Theo Maier, Providence, Male Swing