DUBOIS – Sex and Politics make for scandalous bedfellows, as The Reitz Theater of DuBois presents its production of the political comedy “The Senator Wore Pantyhose,” by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore. Show dates are Aug. 17 – 18, Aug. 23 – 25 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Steve Frederick, the play focuses on the failing presidential campaign of Senator “Honest” Gabby Sandalson (Brian Hand), a regular guy whose integrity has all but crippled his bid for the White House. Gabby’s sleazy campaign manager Tom Gordon (Ben Fitzgerald-Fye) creates a fake sex scandal to possibly garner votes. It’s a plan that gloriously backfires and begins scandal after scandal.
According to Frederick, the timing for the show couldn’t be better. “In a raucous year for the presidential election,” he says, “Why (don’t we) have a play that pokes fun of it all? Seriousness is overrated. Obviously, the candidates think so.”
Add to the goofy mix, a television evangelist and his wife (played by Al and Karen Hewitt), two cons (Ed Bach and Dave Laubacker) looking for hidden cash, a quirky innkeeper (Drew Gordon), the local wayward single girl (Alyssa Wood), Gabby’s wife Susan (Melanie Faith) and a television news reporter (Josh Alderton) looking for his next big story.
As for the cast, Frederick says the group looks forward bringing this comedy to the stage. “We have a great mix of newcomers and Reitz Theater veterans, and we’re looking forward to bringing this show to the area,” he said.
The play does contain adult-oriented situations. The production is sponsored by Timberland Federal Credit Union and DuBois Business College. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students and available in DuBois at Kohlhepp’s True Value Hardware,
Catherine’s Cache, Rosie’s Book Shoppe, S&T Bank on Liberty Boulevard, Stew’s Brews Coffee House and Jim Stellabuto’s Everything Under Foot. Tickets are also available at the Reitz Theater Box Office and online at www.reitztheater.com. Call the Reitz for details, at 814-375-4274.