PORT ANGELES — Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C., April 1865: A famous actress has invited the president of the United States to her show, “Our American Cousin.”
Abraham Lincoln is seated and watching the play when the unthinkable happens.
He is the first president in U.S. history to be assassinated, to the nation’s — and this actress’ — horror.
Welcome to “Our Leading Lady,” the comedy — yes, comedy — opening Friday night for a two-weekend run at Peninsula College’s Little Theater.
Starring newcomer Jade Evans in the title role of actress Laura Keene, the play also showcases elaborate period costumes by Richard Stephens, who is the director and production designer, too.
“Our Leading Lady” takes “a fresh look at this pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” Stephens said, noting that this year marks the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination.
A serious comedy
Penned by New York City playwright and actor Charles Busch, “Lady” is “a serious comedy,” added producer and Peninsula College drama professor Lara Starcevich.
It takes the audience backstage where, she said, the interactions get wickedly funny.
The Laura Keene character, for one, tangles with a Southerner named Verbena de Chamblay, played by Megan Mundy of Port Angeles.
“I think my favorite exchanges are between these two women,” said Starcevich.
“They have an artistic competition going on. And Laura Keene is on the side of uniting the country, so there’s political tension.
“They’re sweet to one another,” but only on their well-dressed surfaces.
Evans, who recently moved here from New York City, portrays Keene alongside the Ford’s Theatre Co. actors: K MacGregor as Gavin De Chamblay, Debbie Bourquin as Maude Bentley, Hugh Carino as W.J. Ferguson, Victoria Smith as Madame Wu-Chan and DyNara Rystrom as Clementine Smith.
The cast also features Steven Berry as Harry Hawk, Bob Carter as Maj. Hopwood and Rodney Von Houck and Niklaus von Houck as Union soldiers.
“Our Leading Lady” is the story of how a national calamity affects people personally — before, during and after, Starcevich said.
Busch wrote the play after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, she noted, to explore how the country gets back on its feet after a devastating event.
So “Lady” is a classic mixture, Starcevich said, of comedy and tragedy.
“Our lives are full of contradictions like that,” after all.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
