ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor Civic Theatre presents the zany sixties-era comedy, "Cactus Flower," April 19-22 at Washtenaw Community College's Towsley Auditorium. Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
"Cactus Flower" revolves around a bachelor dentist, Julian, who invents a wife and family in order to keep his girlfriend, Toni, from getting too serious. When Julian decides to marry Toni, she insists on meeting his soon-to-be ex-wife. To keep the ruse going, Julian enlists his longtime devoted nurse, Stephanie, to pretend to be his wife, and hilarity ensues.
"'Cactus Flower' captures the innocence of the first stirrings of free love that swept the nation during the turbulent sixties," says director Cassie Mann. "While the Viet Nam conflict raged and protesters took to the streets, 'Cactus Flower' offered a comedic look at how two generations of Americans dealt with the burgeoning sexual freedom of the era."
The production promises to be a fast-paced, music-filled, visual feast. Set designers Cathy Cassar and Shawn Macurio have created a colorful set that pays homage to the flower-powered game show sets of the sixties. Rock 'n' Roll came into its own during this decade, and classics from The Supremes, The Beatles, and The Monkees, among others, are an integral part of the show.
"Cactus Flower's" talented cast features Civic veterans Larry Rusinsky as dentist Julian Winston, Kathleen Beardmore as nurse Stephanie, Nathaniel Fremuth as next-door-neighbor Igor, and new-to-Civic Heather Wing as Julian's girlfriend, Toni.
Also in the cast are David Babcock as Julian's friend Harvey, Matt Steward as Senor Sanchez, Anne Bauman as Mrs. Durant, and Susan Klein as Botticelli's Springtime. Rounding out the cast are Bob Skon, David Barker, Melissa Lindholm, Sarah Gothie, Emily Perryman Bugala, Ann Marie Mann, Linda Lee Austin, Lyn Davidge, and Kevin Myers.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for students and seniors Friday through Sunday, and $13 for all tickets on Thursday. Student tickets are $10 on Friday.
Tickets are available at the A2CT office at 322 W. Ann St, by calling the office at 734-971-2228, at the door, or online at http://www.a2ct.org.
Cactus Flower' is blooming at Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
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