‘Private’ Parts Interplayers Stages Romantic Comedy That Mixes Adultery And Illusion

Theatergoers in other cities have had a difficult time describing “Private Eyes,” which makes its Spokane debut Friday at the Interplayers Ensemble.

This Steven Dietz play has been variously described as “a smart new comedy about adultery” (Louisville Courier-Journal), a “romantic comedy in which what’s real inevitably turns out to be an illusion” (Chicago Tribune), and “a comedy of suspicion” (the playwright himself).

Or maybe it is best portrayed as “a play that defies description,” as a New England reviewer said, because describing it would ruin the surprise.

Here’s what we can say without giving too much away: Lisa, an actress, has been hired by Adrian, a British theater director, for a new play. Lisa’s husband, Matthew, begins to suspect they are having an affair. Or are they just rehearsing a play? Or is Matthew imagining the whole thing?

The result is what one reviewer describes as a play within a play within a play within a play within a psychiatrist’s office.

Whatever it is, this show must be doing something right. “Private Eyes” was one of the 10 most produced plays in America last season, largely because of its popularity with regional theaters such as Interplayers (it has never had a Broadway or off-Broadway run).

Dietz, a Seattle playwright, is familiar to Spokane audiences through his look at the neo-Nazi movement, “God’s Country,” and his touching AIDS parable, “Lonely Planet.” At age 40, he has already written 20 plays, which have been produced at more than 80 regional theaters. He’s a prolific writer, not afraid to tackle wildly different subjects and genres.

The Interplayers’ production is directed by associate director Michael Weaver. Susan Mansefield plays Lisa, Jonn Jorgensen plays Adrian and Paul Munson plays Matthew. Other roles will be filled by Nancy Nyman and John Oswald.

The play opens Friday and continues through March 25. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on March 4, 8 and 11.

Tickets are $17.45 and $15.10 for evening performances, $13.90 for matinees. Friday’s performance is a discounted performance, $13.90.

Tickets for patrons under 25 are $10 for any performance. The Lunch Hour Hot Tix program offers tickets for $10 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of noon and 1 p.m. at the theater box office for that night’s performance only, maximum of two tickets.

Interplayers is Spokane’s resident professional theater, located at 174 S. Howard. Call 455-PLAY for reservations.

`Lil’ Abner’

The Woodland Theatre in Kettle Falls presents the rambunctious 1956 musical comedy “Lil’ Abner,” based on the Al Capp comic strip.

All of the familiar Dogpatch hillbilly characters are here: Daisy Mae, Mammy Yokum, Moonbeam McSwine, Stupefyin’ Jones and the muscular title character. This show contains a number of Gene DePaul-Johnny Mercer songs that have since become standards, including “Jubilation T. Cornpone.”

This is a big production for the Woodland Theatre: It features a cast of 40 and an orchestra of eight. The orchestra, under the direction of Gail Matney, will be using the new orchestra pit in the newly renovated 178-seat Woodland Theatre.

Nancy Christopher is the director. Li’l Abner will be played by Adam Huff and Daisy Mae by Andie Dau.

The show opens Friday and continues March 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. except Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.

All seats are reserved, and tickets can be purchased in advance at Inman’s Custom Interiors, 108 S. Main in Colville. Advance tickets are $10 for adults, or $8 for students and seniors. Tickets at the door will be $12 for everybody (be warned; many performances sell out).

There will also be two discount performances, this Friday and March 9, which will be $7 for all seats.

The Woodland Theatre is located on Highway 395 in Kettle Falls.

`Stepping Out’

The Pullman Community Theatre presents Richard Harris’ hilarious backstage comedy, “Stepping Out,” about an amateur talent show.

The members of a local dance class conquer their performing inhibitions and stage a triumphant recital. Meanwhile, we get to know these lovable and eccentric characters.

This show opens tonight and continues March 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 at the Little Theatre (Room B20) at Gladish Community Center in Pullman. Curtain time for all shows is 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8, available at the Corner Drug Store on Main Street in Pullman, or by calling 334-7307 or 334-7033.