Nostalgic Comedy “The Orphans” Plays in Union Dale
Catherine and Lily Spangler haven’t left their hotel room since 1912, when their parents went down on the Titanic. Now it’s 1937, and the timid, middle-aged spinsters suddenly come face to face with an unwanted visitor from the outside world, a world they don’t understand and can’t accept.
That’s the premise of The Lakeside Players’ upcoming production, The Orphans, by James Prideaux, which plays Saturday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 5, in Union Dale Hall, Route 171 and Skyline Drive, Union Dale. The Saturday performance is at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee is at 3 p.m.
“…Prideaux has given life to two of the most charming eccentrics since Marsha and Abby Brewster poisoned all those lonely men in Arsenic and Old Lace.†- The Daily Variety
No doubt about it, the Spangler sisters are eccentric. Filthy rich (in every sense of the word), they hide $6 million in a trunk but live in squalor in a once-elegant hotel that, unbeknownst to them, is almost deserted and operates with a skeleton staff. Lily won’t allow a radio or newspapers, so Catherine is unaware of World War I, the Great Depression, or World War II looming on the horizon. But while Lily is overbearing and overprotective, warmhearted Catherine longs to rejoin the world, or at the very least, hire someone to wash the windows so she can see outside.
The show stars Roxan Schwartz as Catherine Spangler, Nancy Kolvik-Campbell as Lily Spangler, Sam Corey as Ronald, Tony Schwartz as Mr. Ervin, Cassandra Colwell as Florette, and Jay Marino as Mr. Franklin. Marylou Ambrose is directing.
The Orphans is the second show to travel from The Lakeside Players’ venue at Lakeville Community Hall, Route 590, Lakeville, to Union Dale Hall. The first play was the comedy Mixed Emotions in July. From Oct. 26-28 and Nov. 2-4, Lakeside will present On Golden Pond in Lakeville and on Nov. 10 and 11, the play will be performed in Union Dale.
Tickets for The Orphans are $15 at the door or in advance. Seating is general admission. Call 570-226-6207 for information. For a complete spring, summer and fall Lakeside Players’ schedule, visit lakesideplayers.net.
