drama
and Satirical Humor…
“Seven Keys to Baldpate”
See more photos of this
show here. |
Mystery, Farce, Murder, are the ‘keys’ to
an entertaining experience.
“Seven Keys to Baldpate” is
one of the keenest satires ever contributed to the American
theater- a satire cutting to the heart of absurdities
and exposing its secrets with relentless detail and yet
with a droll manner of a genial humorist rather than
that of a bitter critic of life.” ~ The Augusta
Herald- Sunday, March 7, 1915.
 |
Norman Hackland, Bill Clear,
John Swann, Jaclyn Whittington, Erik Murray.
|
George M. Cohan is known mostly for
his musical contributions, but “Seven Keys to Baldpate” is
considered his most popular play. The show has been revived
and filmed many times. Cohan starred in the first filmed
version in 1917 and starred in the revival in 1935 for the
Players Club. Cohan fashioned the role of Magee after his
own struggles in the theater.
William Magee,
a writer of popular fiction, makes a wager that he can
write a novel about Baldpate Mountain within twenty-four
hours. In order to win this wager he goes to Baldpate Inn,
a summer resort in the winter and the lonesomest spot on
earth, to get away from melodrama. Instead of seclusion,
he finds only crooks, murderers, ghosts, pistol shots,
policemen, and dead people walking about the halls. Plus
he uncovers mysteries involving hundreds of thousands of
dollars, and keys, keys and more keys. Will Magee finish
his novel to win the bet? Will the mysterious happenings
at Baldpate get the best of him? Will your whole family have
a wonderful time trying to figure out the twists and turns
of the show? Don’t miss it!
 |
Joe Tyler(Magee), Eric
Mihan(Elijah Quimby), Betty Dorbin(Mrs. Quimby)
|
Director Zack
Schlag takes on his first full-length production after
his success directing a one act in Acting Up! in 2008.
Schlag has brought together a group of TAP favorites and
newcomers to bring to life the mystery and mayhem at Baldpate
Inn. Joe Tyler plays the author, William Magee. Eric Mihan
and Betty Dorbin portray Elijah & Mrs.
Quimby, the caretakers at the Inn. Sarah Claggett is the
charming reporter, Mary Norton and Lynn Sanchez is mysterious
Mrs. Rhodes. Also featured are David Foster as Peters, the
Hermit, Erik Murray as the wily John Bland, Jaclyn Whittington
as Myra Thornhill, and Bill Clear as Max. The cast is complete
with John Swann as Mayor Jim Cargan, Norman Hackland as corrupt
businessman Thomas Hayden, Art Wolfe as Police Chief Jiggs
Kennedy, and George Luddington as the cop.
“Seven Keys to Baldpate” opens
Friday, February 19 at 8 pm, with TAP’s customary complimentary
opening-night champagne reception. Other performances are
Friday and Saturday evenings, February, 20, 26, 27, and March
5, and 6 at 8 pm, and Sunday matinees on February 21, 28,
and March 7 at 2pm. Thrifty Thursday returns on February
25 at 7pm. All performances are at the Oxford Community Center.
|
 |
The
line up of suspects and suspicious characters |
Joe Tyler plays the author
William Magee in Seven keys to Baldpate,
TAP's
winter show.
|
More About "Seven Keys to Baldpate"
“Jay Juppe produces Seven Keys to Baldpate and Olivia
Garahan is stage manager, with Patrick Fee as Assistant Director.
Set Design by Lawrie Jessup, set construction by John Swann
and Steve Pugh, costumes by Barbara Mann and Anna Kusinitz,
and publicity by Lisa Roth. Light Design by Jon Hanbury,
and lights and sound tech by Rob Sanchez and Richard Jones. |
