From left, Hanlon Smith-Dorsey is "Dutchy," Brendan Chaney is "Chicago," Zachary Litwiller is Phelim O'Shaughnessy, and Lanny Warkentien is Jean-Francois Millet and the Widow Tillou in Little Theatre of Alexandria's Is He Dead? They are moving a casket loaded with bricks/Little Theatre of Alexandria
Mark Twain wrote plays? Who knew?
You're not the only one who is surprised! And he tried writing more than one!
Leave it to a scholar to bring this show to life only in this century when Shelley Fisher Fishkin found it in the archives at the University of California at Berkeley and got it going on stage.
But it wasn't a surprise to scholars. Many of them had been aware for years of Dead's existence.
The story of this dead man is based on a fictional tale of a great but starving actual French painter, Jean-Francois Millet (1814-1875) who feigns his death with the help of his buddies "Dutchy," (Hanlon Smith-Dorsey), "Chicago," (Brendan Chaney), and Phelim O'Shaughnessy (Zachary Litwiller), the purpose to raise the value of Millet's art which will reduce the debt he owes to the evil collector, Bastien André (Kirk Lambert), who, of course is in love with the same woman, "Marie" (Sarah Keisler) as painter Millet (Lanny Warkentien).
Did you get all that?
The place is, where else? Gay Paree in 1846. The sets (by Matt Liptak) are divine, mon chéri, to match the luxurious costumes (always fun to see, by
Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley).
Upon Millet's "death," André buys up Millet's paintings and the value goes whoosh! Just like that and Millet is freed of debt.
To hide himself after he "dies," Millet becomes his sister, the Widow Tillou and naturellement, "she" becomes André 's new love interest. And also that of Marie's father (Leo Mairena).
Who would have guessed?
But how is our hero supposed to come back to life and marry Marie? Where there's a will, there's a way and Twain made it happen, of course!
With a dash of Shakespeare thrown in, the production is a romp in mistaken identities and other humorous deceptions to tell us something more about love and money. (We can never have enough of either.)
Lies do not stand the test of time and is love more important than money? It depends upon whom you ask.
Other cast members are Alayna Theunissen as Cecile Leroux (Marie's sister), Justin Beland, Anne Shively, Justin von Stein and Beverly Gholston.
More production crew members are Eleanore Tapscott, producer; Joey Pierce, director; Margaret Chapman, properties; Allison Gray-Mendes, set dressing and
Adam Konowe, lighting.
Michael Page was fight choreographer; Sue Pinkman designed hair and makeup; Robin Worthington was wardrobe coordinator; Russell M. Wyland was in charge of rigging; Alan Wray and Crystina McShay, sound.
Melissa Dunlap and Micheal J. O’Connor are stage managers.
What: Is He Dead? As adapted by David Ives
Where: Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Tickets: $21 (weeknights) and $24 (Saturday night) + $3 fee/ticket.
Audience: General
Duration: About 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission
Public transportation: Check the Metro and Dash bus websites. Dash is free to ride and has routes which are close to LTA.
Parking: is free on streets and at Capital One Bank at Wilkes and Washington streets, a block away. Paid parking is available at nearby garages.
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