Comedy on the Wesleyan Stage

by Rene Denise Sarradet

              Theatre Wesleyan will present How the Other Half Loves, by Alan Ayckbourn, February 19-24 in the Thad Smotherman Theatre.  This comedy features Alaina Appleby, Chase Burnett, Dillon Maroney, Whitney Park, Ben Phillips and Cari Watson.  

              This third production of the Wesleyan season, directed by Theatre professor Brynn Bristol, deals with two couples who each attempt to cover up extramarital affairs by holding a series of dinner parties.  Seems simple, but it isn’t. What ensues over the course of the evening will have you laughing.

              Ms. Bristol, who recently directed The Fantasticks for Theatre Wesleyan, regards How the Other Half Loves as a “bedroom farce” which she feels is sure to entertain.  While the production does not contain excessive language or nudity, she believes it is best suited for older audiences and would rate it PG-13 due to the adult situations.

              Junior Theatre majors Dillon Maroney and Whitney Park, who play Bob and Teresa Phillips in the production, say that this play has been a lot of fun to work on, but has also an acting challenge.  But, Maroney feels, “It’s always fun working on a new show.”

            Many of the Theatre Department students are designers and assistant designers. Bristol says of first-time costume designer sophomore Chris Hatcher, “This is the most immaculate costume design I’ve ever seen.” 

Other student designers include Jonathan Burns, props; Eric Briggs, lighting; Cari Watson, sound; and Dillon Maroney, Assistant Graphic Designer.  Not only are students designing for this show, they’re also busy in other areas.  Junior Alfredo Martinez serves as Assistant Director, sophomore Johnny Gonzales is Stage Manager, and sophomore Jennye James is Assistant Technical Director.

              How the Other Half Loves opens February 19th and runs through the 23rd at 7:30 pm with a Sunday matinee on February 24th at 2:00.  For reservations or more information, please contact the box office after February 13th at 817-531-4211, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6 for Wesleyan faculty and staff and $4 for students with I.D.