Florida Rep's TALLEY'S FOLLY Plays Arcade Theatre, 11/30-12/16

Florida Repertory Theatre has announced the opening of Lanford Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic comedy, Talley's Folly. Playing Nov. 30 to Dec. 16 with discounted previews Nov. 27, 28 and 29, Talley's Folly is the touching story of the unlikely courtship of young Sally Talley and her much older, Jewish suitor, Matt Friedman.

"Talley's Folly is a play we have been trying to do here at Florida Rep for 3 years," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "but because of an upcoming Broadway production, we had to wait. I am particularly delighted to present, finally, one of the greatest romantic comedies of the last 35 years."

Talley's Folly is a lyrical romance that follows the unlikely courtship of Sally Talley and Matt Friedman. Set in 1944, the play unfolds magically in a Victorian boathouse on the banks of the Missouri River. Matt arrives just at twilight to confess his love to a reluctant Sally, who believes she is no longer capable of loving. But over the course of one beautiful evening, as twilight turns to night, we see that these two wounded birds may just be kindred spirits who, after all, may find the love they've been missing.

The production stars Florida Rep Company Members Rachel Burttram and Chris Clavelli. A member of the company since 2002, Ms. Burttram was most recently seen on the Florida Rep stage as Karen Weston in August: Osage County, BElla Manningham in Gaslight and Chris in 2009's nationally acclaimed production of Dancing at Lughnasa. Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli, recently directed the Season 15 hit opener Lend Me a Tenor and last season's The Mystery of Irma Vep and Black Tie. He was last seen onstage as Ernest in Bedroom Farce and as Alan in God of Carnage.

The production is directed by Jackson Phippin, an internationally known stage director, making his Florida Rep debut. Mr. Phippin's work has been seen on many stages including Center Stage in Baltimore, where he served as the Associate Artistic Director, Cleveland Playhouse, Dallas Theatre Center and Berkley Rep in California. Mr. Phippin was chosen by the Arts America Agency to direct Eugene O'Neill's Marco Millions in Shanghai for the playwright's 100th birthday celebration, making him the first American to direct in Shanghai since World War II.

Phippin is joined by an expert team of designers including set designer Richard Crowell (Camping with Henry and Tom), lighting designer Matthew McCarthy (The Mystery of Irma Vep), costume designer Roberta Malcom (Lend Me a Tenor), sound designer Kate Smith (The Santaland Diaries) and production stage manager, Janine Wochna (Red).

"As the narrator, Matt tells us in the beginning of the play, 'If everything goes well for me tonight, this should be a waltz; a no-holds-barred romantic story,'" says Cacioppo, "I think our audience will be delighted to see this heartwarmingly funny and deeply touching Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic comedy."

Lanford Wilson's Talley's Folly plays Nov. 30-Dec. 16, with three nearly sold out preview performances on Nov. 27, 28 and 29. Regular performances are Tues. – Sat. at 8pm, with matinees on Wed., Sun., and selected Saturdays at 2pm and a 7pm twilight performance on Sun., Dec. 2.

Talley's Folly is sponsored by Madeleine Taeni and 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort.

Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488 and online at floridarep.org. Subscribe now for the best seats and biggest savings; packages start as low as $120 for 5 shows. Single tickets are priced at $45 and $40, and $25 for discounted previews.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with ample free parking in the Fort Myers River District.

More Articles by This Author...