"The Play That Goes Wrong" Hits the SIC Stage Feb. 23-24

Posted By: Withers Syndication
February 11, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
Local News

Some of the characters in The Play That Goes Wrong attempt to remove an “unconscious” character from the stage discreetly during a rehearsal on the Allan G. Kimball Stage at SIC. The comedy opens Feb. 23. (Photo: SIC)

HARRISBURG – Loads of laughter can be expected at the upcoming theatre production at Southeastern Illinois College. Labeled Broadway’s funniest smash hit, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is considered a hilarious hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes.

A 2012 play by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, it won Best New Comedy at the 2015 Laurence Olivier Awards.

The show is a play within a play – it’s opening night of “The Murder at Haversham Manor” where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines).

“I saw this show for the first time in New York, and since then I’ve seen it four more times and just fell in love with it,” said director, Allan Kimball. “It is British farce, slapstick, and just a load of fun. This is one of those bucket list shows I wanted to do.”

The show brings in talented actors from all around Southern Illinois: Benton, Carmi, Elizabethtown, Golconda, Harrisburg, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ozark, Ridgeway, Rosiclare, Stonefort, and Vienna.

Addison Bean of Ridgeway who plays Annie in the show said, “What I think makes this show special is that it is true slapstick comedy and appeals to a lot of audiences. So, a third grader could come watch this show and is still going to laugh just as loud as the 40-year-old sitting next to them. …Also this is the first show that I get to do fight choreography, and it happens to be with one of my closest friends in the theatre, and we have a really good time with it.”

The stage manager for “The Play that Goes Wrong” is Callie Smith of Eldorado, costume design is by Gareth York, and John Hart of Hart’s Music in Harrisburg will provide sound. Master carpenters for the show are Bruce and Michael Quisenberry.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” will have general seating for two nights: Feb. 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Kellye Whitler at 618-252-5400, ext. 2486 or emailing boxoffice@sic.edu.