Hilarity at the HoJo
Tickets go on sale this week for the Butler Little Theatre's season opener, "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick.
Is all fair in love? Even murder? That's the question posed by this light and funny suspense-comedy about a love triangle at a Howard Johnson Motor Inn. The trio of misguided love mates goes through a hilarious series of homicidal mishaps where anyone could end up dead.
The love triangle comprises Katy Wayne as Arlene Miller, Jeff Carey as Paul Miller and Jim Kasparek as Mitchell Lovell. Shirley Ann Minehart is the director, and Becky Plymale serves as producer.
Wayne said she is thoroughly enjoying the demanding experience. "The physical demands of playing Arlene have been the most challenging," said Wayne. "I've had to dust off my comic timing and crank up the tempo. It's challenging and exhausting and exhilarating. I truly love the whole process."
To say Arlene is a bit selfish and somewhat of an airhead would both be understatements.
"Arlene is a little ditzy," Wayne related. "She is bored with being a housewife and longs to break out of the 1950 mindset of wife and homemaker.
"While it is admirable that she wants to learn and change, she is totally self-centered, self-absorbed and narcissistic," Wayne added.
The Center Township resident admires her co-stars. "They have great ideas and comic timing. Jim and I have never done a show together before, but you would never be able to tell that. We have the same intuitions and ideas for bits and takes," explained Wayne, who noted that it is crucial with a small cast to work with actors you can trust.
Her self-centered counterpart, Mitchell, is played by Jim Kasparek of Butler Township. "In addition to being extremely self-centered, Mitchell is also a vain and colorful man," Kasparek said. "He loves women and through his dental practice has met more than his share, including Arlene."
Kasparek is a lover of comedy and enjoys the challenge of finding that perfect timing. "The physical bits that all of us participate in during the show are the most fun," he said. "For me personally, I enjoy being able to say my lines with a confidence that more than borders on arrogance. The timing, though it can be tough, is a challenge I enjoy."
The roller coaster plot has twists and turns with each of the characters taking turns on the rails. If they can pull off the timing and the intimate setting, "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" should be a fun evening of adult comedy.
The show opens Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 11.
<b>WHO: </b>Butler Little Theatre<b>WHAT: </b>"Murder at the Howard Johnson's"<b>WHEN: </b>Oct. 3 to 11, with shows at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.<b>WHERE: </b>One Howard St.<b>TICKETS: </b>$10; call 724-287-6781 between 7 and 9 p.m.<b>INFORMATION: </b>www.bltgroup.org
