New Production Comes To Redstone Theater In Kanab – Closets!
June 23 – July 3, 2023
What’s it like producing a brand-new comedy play?
Theater is challenging enough. Theater in a small town makes it more complicated. Putting on a brand new play that’s never been done before, and in a small town? Now that’s risky. And it’s even riskier if you label it a comedy because no one wants to watch a comedy that doesn’t make you laugh.
“Can we make Kanab laugh? I hope so,” says writer and producer Jeff Stott. “We’ve got some incredibly talented actors who have fully embraced their characters and leave it all on the stage. We had a lot of fun two years ago with Montezuma and the Petticoats. I think this one’s funnier.”
Closets! is a farce. A farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable situations.
“My favorite is the physical humor,” says Jenna Corry, who plays the Girlfriend. “At one point in the play, two men act out a spontaneous synchronized swimming routine with a corpse. It’s wacky; it’s visual. I laugh just thinking about it.”
Putting on a new play is a double-edged sword. Marketing can be difficult since the title alone won’t have name recognition. There is also a risk in telling a story that hasn’t ever been told and using jokes that have never been audience-tested. But its newness is also its strength. Attendees should find it exciting and refreshing to watch a live performance of something that’s never been done before.
Closets! isn’t just about the humor. It’s meant to have depth, which in turn enriches the entertainment. “What makes theater enjoyable is not just the laughs, but the story,” says Matt Henke, who plays the Father of the bride. “There needs to be character development. There needs to be obstacles to overcome. Lines shouldn’t just be a series of punchlines. Instead, they should make you laugh and feel because of who said them and why. That’s our goal with Closets!.”
Support the local arts by coming alone, with a date, or with your family. The shows are at the Redstone Theater at 7 PM – on June 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, July 1st, and 3rd. Please don’t wait until the final night, as it will likely sell out. Tickets are available at redstonetheater.com or at the door. None of this would be possible without the support of local sponsors, including our presenting sponsors, Glazier’s Market and Kanab Custom Meats. Don’t miss out!
