Leon Tolchinski has landed a teaching job in an idyllic Russian hamlet. But when he sees people sweeping dust back into their houses, and milking cows upside down to get more cream, he begins to realize the village is under a curse – of chronic stupidity.
That’s the premise of Neil Simon’s comedy, Fools, the next production of White Rock Players Club (April 10-27, Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.), directed by Ryan Mooney (Lend Me A Tenor, Little Shop of Horrors).
To complicate matters, he falls in love with his student, Lenya Zubritsky, daughter of the hamlet’s doctor – only to find she is also being pursued by the local aristocrat, evil Count Gregor.
Featured players are Hunter Golden (Leon), Sheila Greentree (Lenya), Ryan Johnston (Dr. Zubritsky), Melissa Paras (Sophia Zubritsky) and Scott Milne (Count Gregor).
Martin Perrin plays the role of Magistrate, while well-known scene-stealers Ray Van Ieperen, Paul Ferancik, Clive Ramroop and Helen Volkow have ample scope for winning big laughs as spectacularly dense villagers Snetsky, Slovitch, Mishkin and Yenchna.
For tickets ($18, $16 seniors, students and Coast Capital Savings members) call 604-536-7535 or visit www.whiterockplayers.ca
– Alex Browne