For Immediate Release

July 14, 2017

Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001

Cottage Theatre opens The Good Doctor on August 11

Cottage Grove, OR -- Cottage Theatre continues its 2017 season in August with The Good Doctor by Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov. This laugh-out-loud comedy features a collection of comical Russian tales infused with American wit. Cottage Theatre's production of The Good Doctor will run for three weekends from August 11 through August 27.

The Good Doctor blends the talents of two widely respected writers from different countries and centuries. American playwright Neil Simon dramatizes several short stories by Russian author Anton Chekhov in this amusing concoction, first produced on Broadway in 1973. The play consists of a series of sketches, narrated by a character called The Writer, who introduces the stories, comments on them, and occasionally plays a role in them. In one sketch a neurotic government clerk sneezes on a General during an opera performance, with spectacularly unfortunate results. In another, a crafty seducer sets his sights on a wedded woman, with the unwitting aid of her husband. Let us not forget the ridiculous tale of a man who offers to drown himself for three rubles. Animated by Simon’s rapid-fire one-liners and witty dialogue, the nine sketches illuminate Chekhov’s take on the human condition through stories that are droll, outlandish, and fun.

Cotttage Theatre's production of The Good Doctor is directed and designed by Kory Weimer, with costumes by Chris Carter, and lighting by Amanda Ferguson. The cast features Sophie Blades, Randall Brous, Tracy Nygard, Kathryn Pearson, Glenn Rust, Tony Rust, and Kory Weimer.

The Good Doctor runs for eleven performances at Cottage Theatre from August 11-27. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm.

Tickets are available online at www.cottagetheatre.org, by phone at 541-942-8001, or in person at the Cottage Theatre Box Office, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (ages 6 - 18). Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and one hour before performances.


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​For Immediate Release

July 12, 2017


Contact:
Susan Goes, Executive Director, 541-942-8001


Family-friendly Melodrama at Cottage Theatre July 21-23

Cottage Grove, OR — The residents of Ol' Dorena need to be on their toes when a traveling hypnotist and Snake Oil purveyor comes to town! Dr. Amnesia Trance's Hypnotic Show...OR It's Mining Memories Down a Long, Dark Hole is a old-fashioned melodrama written especially for Cottage Theatre by local playwright Keith Kessler. The family-friendly production will run for three performances on July 21, 22, and 23 at Cottage Theatre.

This year's melodrama takes place in Ol' Dorena, where the citizens are in the midst of their Delightful Valley Days. Word comes that a Travelin’ Show is heading to town: Dr. Amnesia Trance’s Hypnotic Show. According to the Sherriff down in nearby Petticoat Junction, Dr. Amnesia hypnotizes people and forces them to do silly things like squawk like a chicken. She also peddles some “South American Snake Oil” that she claims will cure just about anything that ails you. The folks of Ol’ Dorena are looking forward to the excitement of a Travelin’ Show, but Dr. Amnesia has more on her mind than just entertainment. She’s heard a rumor of a long-lost hidden treasure and she’ll stop at nothing to get her hands on it!

Dr. Amnesia Trance's Hypnotic Show...OR It's Mining Memories Down a Long, Dark Hole features 27 young actors from Cottage Theatre's summer melodrama camp.  This show is appropriate for all ages and includes plenty of audience participation (in the form of booing and hissing and cheering) as well as an old-fashioned sing-along. In keeping with classic melodrama tradition, "Olios" (silly jokes which have nothing to do with the story) will also be performed. There will also be a pre-show performance showcasing some of the music and dance techniques taught during the two-week summer camp.
 
This year's melodrama is directed by Janet Rust, with music direction by Catricia Mayhue. The cast includes  Lafe Bennett, Shyla Browning, Kira Carver, Alexis Christie, Campbell Conforth, Hailey Cook, Hailey Daquilanto, Aiden Dickinson, Abigail Earlywine, AJ Earlywine, Kate Fairbairn, Rhea Florez,  Madisyn Froom, Claire Jenkins, Bryce Johnson, James Kelly, Aramara Caturegli Kent, Samantha Lind, Hannah Mathis, Connor Mayhue, Eliana Piltz, Darcy Rust, Grace Sisson, Elise Smith, Catelyn St. Clair,  Maia Wilhour, and Piper Youngmayr.
 
Performances are Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 at 7:00 pm; and Sunday, July 23 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $7 for all ages and all seating is reserved. Advance purchase is recommended.

Tickets are available online at www.cottagetheatre.org, by phone at 541-942-8001, or in person at the Cottage Theatre Box Office, 700 Village Drive, Cottage Grove. Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and one hour before performances. 
  

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