Laugh
Written by Beth Henley
Directed by Dana Resnick
Presented on Feb. 16-18, 21-24, Strub Theatre
Set in the 1920s and inspired by silent film comedies, this is the latest big hit from LMU President's Professor of Theatre Arts (and Pulitzer Prize-winner) Beth Henley. In it, she tells the story of Mabel, who is left wealthy but orphaned after a dynamite accident at a gold mine. Her luck worsens as she is shipped off to a calculating aunt, whose nephew is charged with seducing Mabel to gain control of her fortune. This hapless courtship reveals a shared love of silent movies and a plan for greater things.
Cast
Cameron Kauffman (Mabel), Beau Mantor (Roscoe), Maje Adams (Uncle Oscar Defoliant, Engineer, Alphonse, Reporter, Father), Melissa Green (Aunt Octobra Defoliant, Crip, Security Guard, Mitch, Worm, Mr. Thalbug), Kianna Ismail (Bee Sunshine, Cobb, Tap Dancing Usherette, Dumb John, Mrs. Von George, Powder, Zozel, Mother), Kent Jenkins (Piano Player), Chris Lorey (Curly P. Curtis, Slave, Conductor, Polly/Dolly/Solly/Folly, Tap Dancing Usher, Von George)
Production Team
Dani Blackhart (Assistant Director), Kent Jenkins (Pianist and Movement Director), Arnab Banerji (Dramaturg), Leon Wiebers (Costume Designer), David Offner (Scenic Designer), Tom Ash (Lighting Designer), Jason Sheppard (Sound Designer and Technical Director), Rob Hillig (Master Electrician), John Burton (Properties Master), Patricia McMahon (Costume Supervisor), Sylvia Yang, Gloria Santillion (Costume Design Assistants), Natasha Aquino (Assistant Dramaturg), Quinn Williams (Stage Manager), Giselle Durand, Isabel Ngo (Assistant Stage Managers), Megan Glendinning (Sound Board Op), Lili Koehler (Light Board Op), Jessica Hadley, Tariq Alrafi (Spot Operators), Bridger Caicedo, Alan Corvaia, Tyler Faison, Parker Griffith (Gaffers), Cameron Kauffman, Keyshawn Garraway, Quinn Williams, Maren English, Meghanne Clark, Mateo Rudich, Enzo Mapua, Robert Kinsfather, Ben Lyons, Jessica Hadley, Giselle Durand, Katerina Harrop, Juan Bernal, Marissa Whitmore (Backstage Assistants), Madeline McHugh, Lundyn Lightburn, Emily Forest (Wardrobe Crew), Keiva Bradley (Hair & Make-up), Gillian Ebersole, Madison Hansen, Marshall McKeever, Lisa Lawrence, Gloria Santillan, Sofia Cassidy (Costume Work Study), Pauline Rigo, Yilin Qian (House Managers), Amanda Lazzarone (Poster Art)
Performed by Special Permission with Dramatist Play Service.
Special thanks to: CFA Dean Bryant Alexander, Kevin Wetmore, David Resnick, Deborah Hartwell, Justin Carroll, Lynn and Bret Blackhart, Amanda Lazzarone, UC Irvine Department of Drama, The Theatre Company in Upland, Lauren Johansen Sheppard, STAR Education, Suzanne Berndt, John Williams, and Rainy Batroff.