The Online Reflector

Leading ladies

By James Allen | Entertainment Editor

After the success of “Into the Woods”, the University of Indianapolis’  Theater Department is gearing up for their next production, “Leading Ladies,” written by well-known playwright Ken Ludwig. Although the play is relatively unknown, it is apparently not one to overlook.

“I was actually crying [because] I was laughing so hard when I first read it,” said Director Dr. Brad Wright. “The play is just flat out fun. Some are dressed in drag and one character is almost always on roller skates.”

The play is about two out-of-work actors, Jack and Leo, who find out an aging wealthy woman is planning to leave her fortune to her two nephews. After arriving to claim the fortune, the two actors learn that the dying woman’s nephews are actually nieces, that force the boys to dress in drag. The story takes place in Pennsylvania in 1952.
Jack and Leo are played by UIndy stage veterans junior Alex Oberheide and senior Lucas Souder. Both have been in stage productions this year,  such as “Into the Woods” and “Spike Heels.”

Because Oberheide and Souder will have to portray women as well as men, there will be many fast-paced costume changes. An outside professional was hired for the costumes, Kathleen Eagen, who has done work with many other companies, including the Indianapolis Repertory Theater and other Indianapolis area college and high school productions.

Jen Alexander, a professor of theater at UIndy will be the costume choreographer. Some of the costume changes will go from fully female to fully male in less than 30 seconds.
“There are a couple of love stories from a romantic standpoint, but it is a farce at first,” Wright said.

Also in the cast are other stage veterans junior Chelsea Anderson, and sophomores Mason Absher and Stephanie Kucsera. New comers to the stage are sophomore Katie Gainey and freshmen Evan King and Nathanael Pellow.

“It’s a great cast,” Souder said. “Everyone is enjoying themselves. I was really glad to see a lot of new people to the stage. It brings a fresh, new outlook on things.”

This quick paced comedy has some innuendo, but is relatively family friendly.

Wright said that the language is usually kept rather clean for the dinner theater performance.
The show opens on Feb. 20, but has a sneak preview on Feb. 19. The meal costs two swipes for those who have a meal plan. For students not wanting the meal,  rush for empty seats on the night of the performance at 7:30 p.m.

Katie Gainey and Alex Oberheide embrace as Audrey and Jack in the upcoming performance of “Leading Ladies”. Oberheide will sport not only this suit, but a dress in the upcoming dinner theater.