Amelia Community Theatre
Press Release
By Linda McClane
October 4, 2021
Amelia Community Theatre begins its 41st season with the combustible comedy “Flaming Idiots,” opening on October 8 on the Main Stage at 207 Cedar Street.
This fast-paced farce by Tom Rooney tells the story of Phil and Carl, former post office workers, who have opened a restaurant, despite the fact that they lack restaurant experience. They also lack common sense and good judgment, but they have loads of enthusiasm!
Phil and Carl, played by Joseph Stearman and Dan Cahill, have a chef, a busboy, and a waiter, but they don’t have customers. While Carl perfects a specialty drink, the Flaming Idiot, to entice guests, Phil hatches a publicity scheme to stage a fake murder and become infamous, just like the popular diner across the street. All they need is an already dead body and an unsuspecting hit man. What could go wrong? Everything!
With endearing characters, physical comedy, silly puns, and a zany plot, the show aims to make people laugh.
The cast includes Robert Davis, Phyllis Stabler, and Wes Twiggs as the staff with unique issues of their own, and Ron Price is a hit man past his prime. Elizabeth Sawyer and Scott Campbell play quirky characters who pop in and out, adding to the bedlam.
Director Peggy Strickland days, “Perhaps laughing at these characters as they stumble through life’s challenges, often missing what should be obvious, will help us laugh at our own attempts to navigate through our daily lives.”
“Flaming Idiots” is rated PG, with performances at the new earlier curtain time of 7:30 p.m. on October 8-9, 14-16, 21-23 and at 2 p.m. on October 10 and 17. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students through college, available at AmeliaCommunityTheatre.org or by calling the box office at (904) 261-6749. Flexible-use ticket packages for the entire 41st season are also on sale. The box office is open from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, and ninety minutes before curtain on show dates. ACT continues to follow all CDC recommendations and currently requires all guests to wear a mask during performances.