Amelia Community Theatre
Press Release
Submitted by Linda McClane
ACT Publicity Volunteer
October 3, 2019
Amelia Community Theatre opens Ken Ludwig’s comedy
Set in the 1950’s, Leo and Jack, played by Chris Twiggs and Steve Parrott, are struggling English actors, traveling throughout the United States and presenting “Scenes from Shakespeare” to booing audiences at Moose Lodges. The men are down to their last dollar, when Leo reads a notice about a wealthy woman in Pennsylvania who is searching for her long lost relatives. He concocts a scheme to con the woman into believing that he and Jack are her nephews, Max and Steve.
Upon their arrival in York, Pennsylvania, the Englishmen discover to their great dismay that the missing kin are actually nieces named Maxine and Stephanie. Leo refuses to give up his plan and talks Jack into the obvious adjustment required. They must dig into their costume trunk for wigs and dresses and play the parts of nieces!
Ludwig, who also wrote the farce Lend Me a Tenor, makes great use of the time-honored comedy tradition of placing men in a predicament that requires them to masquerade as women.
The play Charley’s Aunt, the movie Some Like It Hot, and the television show Bosom Buddies all found great success with this comic device.
When Leo and Jack meet Florence, the wealthy, dying woman looking for her heirs, and interact with her family and friends, their charade becomes even more complicated.
Director Lisa Howard-Welch says, “I love the wit, the fast-pace, and the fullness of character in this show. It’s packed with quick comedy, a bit of a sword fight, a little dancing, and some Shakespeare too.”
The cast also includes Dan Cahill, Daniel Cahill, Elizabeth Sawyer, Bert Stoddard, Kathryn Tremblay, and Sue Weiner.
Leading Ladies is rated PG-13 and is sponsored by The Lakeside at Amelia Island, a senior living community.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on October 4-5, 10-12, 17-19 with matinees at 2 p.m. on October 6 and 13. Ticket are $22 for adults and $10 for students through college, available at
www.AmeliaCommunityTheatre.org and by calling 904-261-6749.
The ACT box office is open from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and 90 minutes before curtain on show dates. Season tickets for ACT’s 39th season Main Stage shows are still available, with a six-play pass for $115 or a five-play pass for $100.