'Cactus Flower' Production Team, Cast Announced

Posted: Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 2:59pm

The production team and cast for the Curtain Players production of CACTUS FLOWER have been set in anticipation of a February 18 opening night.

Courtney Lingnofski directs this Abe Burrows comedy, scheduled for a three-weekend stand this winter at the Harlem Road playhouse.

Lingnofski is assisted by Lisa Billing (producer), Leia Bame (stage manager), Mark Blessing (set design and construction), Cory Baker (lighting and sound design/sound technician), Dave Tucker (lighting technician), Jaylene Henderson (costumer), and the trio of Debbie Piper, Billing and Bame (properties).

Auditions for CACTUS FLOWER were conducted November 21 and the following actors were cast: Erik Binion; Kelly Brown; Linda Goodwin; John Grote; Tisha Hanley; Jeff Kemeter; John Lopez; Nolan Martin; and Krista Threadgill.

Based on a French farce, CACTUS FLOWER tells the story of young Toni Simmons (played by Brown) and middle-aged married dentist Dr. Julian Winston (Kemeter) who are in love with each other. However, Julian has never revealed to Toni that his marriage actually has been an elaborate lie concocted to keep Toni at arm's length. Julian eventually decides he really does want to marry Toni and things get complicated further, when he enlists the help of his dowdy, loyal and devoted nurse/receptionist Stephanie (Threadgill) to play the soon-to-be ex-Mrs. Winston.