TWELFTH ANNUAL PANTO TO OPEN AT GHENT PLAYHOUSE


PRESS RELEASE
11-26-11

THE GHENT PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS THE PANTOLOONS IN THEIR TWELFTH PRODUCTION “MENAGERIE A TROIS.” OPENING THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Ghent, NY — For their annual celebration of the holiday season, once again The Ghent Playhouse presents the PantoLoons in their twelfth production. 

This year, the twisted and intertwined fairy stories are Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Little Pigs under the title of “Menagerie a Trois.”  The production opens on Friday, November 25^th and plays through Sunday, December 11^th.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. 

There will be a special added performance on Saturday, November 26^th at 5 p.m.  

[Please note that the performance on Friday evening, December 2^nd is sold out].  Tickets for the Panto are $18, $15 for Friends of Ghent Playhouse and $10 for children under twelve years.

By combining these two familiar tales, writer Judy Staber has taken a suggestion from fellow Pantoloon Mark Schane-Lydon and created an hour and a half of zaniness that might vaguely bring to mind West Side Story or Romeo and Juliet.  As usual the PantoLoons all contribute many jokes, political references from the past year (this year having been particularly rich), vaguely familiar tunes with twisted lyrics plus brightly colored sets and witty costumes.

The PantoLoons, who have been performing together for many years, are Judy Staber, who serves as writer and producer as well as playing Papa Bear,  Tom Detwiler who doubles as director and Honey Bear, music director and Mother Nature is Paul Leyden, costume designer Joanne Maurer also plays Fryer Duck. The three pigs are Cathy Lee-Visscher (Oscar), Johnna Murray (Porky) and Sally McCarthy (Wilbur).  Paul Murphy is Mama Bear and Mark Schane Lydon is Goldilocks.  Rejoining the Pantoloons this year is Walter Bauer who takes on the role of Wolf Bilkser, the Big Bad Wolf.

Stage management and lighting design is under the aegis of Bill Camp.  Help also comes from two former Loons: Rick Rowsell for set advice and Ron Harrington for loony lyrics.

For reservations call 518-392-6264 and complete information about The Ghent Playhouse go to

www.ghentplayhouse.org