(Media release from Darlington School):
Darlington’s fine arts department and the Darlington Players will present “Lucky Stiff” Feb. 24-26 at the Rome City Auditorium. Showtime is 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Showtime for the Sunday matinee is 2 p.m.
“Lucky Stiff” is a fast-paced, madcap, hilarious romp of a musical that follows Harry Witherspoon’s journey from England to Monte Carlo…with a rather unusual traveling companion. Harry receives the unexpected news that he has inherited a fortune from his late Uncle Anthony, on the condition that he takes Anthony’s dead body on a trip to Monte Carlo. If Harry fails, the money will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. Also hot on the tail of Uncle Anthony’s money is Rita, with whom he embezzled $6 million behind her husband’s back. And hot on Rita’s trail is her brother Vinnie, who has been blamed for the murder.
With mistaken identities, love entanglements, disguises, farcical chases and an omnipresent corpse, “Lucky Stiff” is an offbeat murder mystery with an unforgettable book and musical score by Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty of “Once on This Island,” “My Favorite Year,” “Ragtime,” “Seuissical,” “Anastasia,” “Rocky” and many more.
“The cast, crew and musicians are so excited to present another live production at the beautiful Rome City Auditorium,” said Shelley Daniel, theater director. “Development of this production has been so much fun. I haven’t laughed this much in ages. Our company is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a night of comedy to our community.”
This production features 37 Upper School students contributing as actors, crew, student staff and musicians. The company is a great mix of old and new faces. The script offers a variety of roles, and most members of the ensemble are playing three to six different characters. Actors have worked since November mastering seven different dialects, often jumping between them from scene to scene. The action travels internationally to a wide variety of locations, and the story is set in the 1980s.
“‘Lucky Stiff’ is a farcical gem,” said Daniel. “I enjoy the opportunity to direct a show that most of our community has not seen. Half of the fun for audiences is wondering how the story will end, and this one does not disappoint! The music is unbelievably catchy and the characters are bigger than life. Our goal is to give you a colorful, outrageous, toe-tapping night of theater that energizes each audience member with an overload of laughter and fun!”
Daniel is the show’s director, choreographer, dialect coach and technical and production designer. Other faculty members working on the production include Choral Director Alex Johnson as the show’s vocal director and Director of Fine Arts Kim Tunnell as the accompanist and music director.
Because of one of the show’s ties to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn, The Darlington Players have partnered with Public Animal Welfare Services (P.A.W.S.) in Rome for the production. There will be donation boxes set up in the lobby to support the services that P.A.W.S. offers for the Rome-Floyd community. Those who wish to make a donation can shop on the Amazon wish list set up by P.A.W.S. and bring their receipt to the show or bring donations to the show. All who make a donation will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Aventine gift card.
Tickets are $15 and include reserved seating. Eventbrite will automatically choose the best available seating or you can also choose from seats that are available to ensure that your party is together.
Purchase tickets to the show of your choosing on Eventbrite by visiting the links below:
>> Friday, Feb 24 at 6 p.m.
>> Saturday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.
>> Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.
Content Advisory: PG-13 for mature language and themes.
Company List:
J.R. Johnson (’24)….Harry Witherspoon
Ryn Wilson (’24)….Annabel Glick
Parker Scott (’23)….Vincent (Vinnie) Di Ruzzio
Seidy Pichardo (’24)….Rita La Porta
Orafiri Koko (’24)….Dominique Du Monaco
Tommy Cowan (’24)….Luigi Gaudi
Timofe Anthony-Sawyerr (’24)….The Body of Tony Hendon
Janet Scott-Crossland (’23)….Landlady, Southern Lady, Ensemble
Oliver Liu (’24)….Punk, Emcee, Train Waiter, Ensemble
Harrison Inman (’26)….Lorry Driver, Prosperous Man, Dancing Portrait, Texan, Nun, Ensemble
Ray Chen (’26)….Subway Passenger, Mr. Loomis, Prosperous Man, Dancing Portrait, Ensemble
Mily James (’25)….Spinster, Southern Lady, Ensemble
Caroline “Caz” Warden (’23)….Subway Passenger, Nurse, Train Waiter, French Club Dancer, Bellhop, Ensemble
Emma Chen (’24)….Telegram Deliverer, Bellhop, Roulette Croupier, Dancing Portrait, Ensemble
Alli Robinson (’25)….Subway Passenger, Wife of Mr. Loomis, Train Waitor, French Club Dancer, Ensemble
Amelia Deupree (’25)….Miss Thornsby, Southern Lady, Ensemble
Ariel Xu (’24)….Drunken Maid, French Club Dancer, Ensemble
Olivia Chen (’26)….French Club Dancer, Dancing Portrait, Ensemble
Iva Hadzi-Mihailovic (’24)….Solicitor, Train Passenger, French Club Dancer, Clothing Salesman, Ensemble
Alexa San (’24)….Subway, Train Waiter, Station Announcer, Leper, Ensemble
Eunsong “Daelyn” Lee (’25)….Train Passenger, French Club Dancer, Dancing Roulette Wheel, Ensemble
Annika Patel (’23)….Company & Stage Manager
Cindy Zhou (’23)….Poster Design & Stage Manager
Wesley Inman (’23)….Prop Manager
Sarah Kathryn McQueen (’26)….Spotlights
Kimberly Johnston (’24)….Crew
Xiya Burton (’24)….Crew
Moa Berglund (’25)….Crew
Daniella Argamasilla (’25)….Crew
Sara Botwinik (’23)….Crew
Ellie Allen (’23)….Crew
Jora Wu (’25)….Crew
Reese Bell (’26)….Keyboard
William Wang (’23)….Drums
Chloe Zhao (’24)….Keyboard
Annie Yang (’24)….Keyboard
