Lakeside Players Bring Broadway Comedy to Union Dale July 7 & 8

Is there sex after death? The romantic comedy, Mixed Emotions, by Richard Baer, answers this question poignantly and hilariously when it highlights the whirlwind courtship of a widow and widower, Christine Millman and Herman Lewis, who’ve known each other all their adult lives.

The play will be presented by The Lakeside Players on Saturday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 8, at 3 p.m., in Union Dale Hall, corner of Route 171 and Skyline Drive, Union Dale. This is Lakeside’s first performance there, but the Pike County theater company has big plans to make the hall a permanent venue.

“Lakeville Community Hall has been our main venue for six years, and we think of Union Dale as ‘Lakeside North’,” said Tony Schwartz, co-founder of The Lakeside Players. “Our master plan is to open our plays in Lakeville in the spring and fall, then bring them over to Union Dale in the summer and late fall. The two halls are almost identical, so moving a show from one to the other will be a snap.”

Mr. Schwartz, who lives in the Lake Wallenpaupack area, is pastor of Centennial United Methodist Church of Forest City and East Ararat United Methodist Church. Always on the lookout for new venues for his acting company, he was excited when the Union Dale United Methodist Church approached him about bringing theater to their hall.

“We’re very excited about the Lakeside Players using our venue in Union Dale,” said Bob Watkins of Union Dale Hall. “We hope this is the start of many seasons together.”

About the play

Mixed Emotions opens as Christine, an interior decorator and lapsed Catholic, is packing to move to Florida – the next day. Into the chaos steps Herman, a Jewish carpet dealer who was her late husband’s best friend.

Out of the blue, Herman offers a plan to keep Christine in New York – marry him! Shocked, Christine turns him down, but Herman stubbornly pleads his case for the next 18 hours. Woefully out of practice in the romance department, his no-nonsense approach to seduction is both comical and touching.

“Winsome wit and humanity. Very funny and touching.” – UPI.

“There is a sweetness to the play, a pleasant life-assertiveness . . . ” – NY Post.

The play stars Tony Schwartz as Herman and Veronica Deisler as Christine. Supporting players are Jay Marino and Marty Courtney as Ralph and Chuck, the movers. The director is Marylou Ambrose, co-founder of The Lakeside Players. She calls the play “When Harry Met Sally – 30 years later.”

Tickets are $15/person. They may be purchased at the door or in advance. A dinner-theater package is also available from three local restaurants: Elegante’ in Forest City (785-4100), The Beacon in Union Dale (679-2371), and The Candlelight Hotel & Restaurant in Herrick (679-4000). For more information on the show or to make reservations, call (570) 226-6207.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 5, at 3 p.m., The Lakeside Players will present the nostalgic comedy, The Orphans, by James Prideaux, at Union Dale Hall. It’s the story of two middle-aged spinsters who haven’t left their hotel room since their parents went down on the Titanic – 25 years ago.

For updates on The Lakeside Players’ current stage shows and murder mysteries, including how to book them in your own venue, visit www.lakesideplayers.net.

Since 1999, The Lakeside Players have performed full-length plays and original audience-participation murder mysteries in Northeast Pennsylvania. Besides Lakeville and Union Dale halls, they also perform in restaurants and country clubs.