KU News Release

Sept. 23, 2008
Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

University Theatre to present wacky farce ‘A Flea in Her Ear’

LAWRENCE — Georges Feydeau’s outrageous farce “A Flea in Her Ear” will be staged by University Theatre at the University of Kansas at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3-4 and 9-11 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.

The KU production, which features a new translation by American playwright David Ives, is directed by Jack Wright, professor of theatre and film. Scenic designer is Del Unruh, professor of theatre and film; lighting designer is Nick Kostner, a master’s student from Murdock; costume designer is Madison Spencer, a master’s student from Overland Park; and sound designer is Jeff List, a doctoral student from Lawrence.

“A Flea in Her Ear” is considered by many to be the greatest French farce ever written. Ives’ 2006 translation not only honors Feydeau’s original script but also is funny to a modern audience, Wright said.

From drop-dead satire to deadpan farce, the wacky comedy is complete with amorous entanglements, unconsummated infidelities, mistaken identities and breathless chases.

In the play, originally staged in Paris in 1907, a wife becomes suspicious of her husband’s activities away from home so she and a friend write an amorous anonymous letter to set up a meeting with her husband at the shady Frisky Puss bordello-hotel in Paris. Thinking the letter was intended for his coworker and completely unaware the woman he is supposed to meet is his own wife, the husband sends a friend off to make the rendezvous in his place. But when the jealous husband of the wife’s friend finds the letter and recognizes his wife’s handwriting, he takes his pistols to the Frisky Puss, hoping to catch her in the act of infidelity. Meanwhile, the innocent husband’s nephew tries to warn everyone about the mix-up, but his ridiculous speech impediment prevents anyone from understanding him.

Full of horseplay, wordplay and sophisticated wit, the comedy has interlocking plots and subplots, and is giving the cast great experience in comic timing.

“As with most farces, there are a lot of slamming doors and strange goings-on,” Wright said.

Reserved seat tickets for “A Flea in Her Ear” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; and Student Union Activities, 864-7469, or online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $16 for the public, $10 for students and $15 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for phone and online orders.

Members of the cast for the KU production are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and role.

BARTON COUNTY
From Hoisington 67544
Jacquelyn Koester, sophomore theatre and Spanish major, daughter of Richard and Pamela Koester; Hoisington High School; Antoinette.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66046 and Rochester, Minn.
Spencer Sassaman Lott, junior theatre and film major, son of Hunter and Nancy Lott of Rochester, Minn.; Lawrence Free State High School; Don Carlos Homenides de Histangua.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Mission Hills 66208
Alex Salamat, senior political science major, son of Essi and Teresa Salamat; Bishop Miege High School; Rugby.

From Olathe 66062
Cali Gilman, senior theatre major, daughter of Barbara Signor; Olathe South High School; Lucienne Homenides de Histangua.

Mackenzie L. Wiglesworth, senior theatre and film major, daughter of Russ and Carol Wiglesworth; Olathe East High School; Eugenie.

From Overland Park 66223
Christopher McGillivray, junior theatre major, son of Paul and Denise McGillivray; Blue Valley High School; Dr. Finache.

Jeff Sears, junior theatre/voice major, son of Andy and Betsy Sears; Blue Valley Northwest High School; Victor Chandebise/Poche.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67220
Darwin E. Lujan, sophomore theatre and film major, son of Efraim and Jody Lujan; Wichita High School North; Baptiste.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Spencer Holdren, senior theatre major, son of James and Teresa Turnbull; Topeka High School; Camille Chandebise.

GEORGIA
From Cornelia 30531
Chandra O. Hopkins, doctoral theatre and film student, daughter of Tammy Mitchell and David Owenby; Habersham Central High School, Mount Airy, Ga.; Raymonde Chandebise.

MINNESOTA
From Rochester 55906 and Lawrence, Kan.
Spencer Sassaman Lott. See DOUGLAS COUNTY

MISSOURI
From Chesterfield 63005
Ryan Klamen, senior theatre major, son of Kelly and Suzy Klamen; Marquette High School; Ferraillon.

From Kansas City 64112
Erik LaPointe, senior theatre major, son of Michelle LaPointe and Dan White; Rockhurst High School; Romain Tournel.

From Kirkwood 63122
Festus Shaughnessy, freshman fine arts major, son of Festus and Mary Claire Shaughnessy; Kirkwood High School; Etienne.

NORTH DAKOTA
From Fargo 58102
Amy Virginia Buchanan, senior theatre major, daughter of David and Cindy Buchanan, Stillwater High School, Stillwater, Okla.; Olympia.

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