Why is HE Wearing MY Robe?

Tryon Little Theater is pleased to have the creative duo of Debbie Craig-Archer and Ben Chumley back in its midst. The Spartanburg team recently brought “Clue, the Musical” to the TLT Workshop stage, under Craig-Archer’s direction and Chumley’s musical leadership. The two join the current company of actors for this season’s full-scale musical: Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music.”  Rounding out this love triangle is local TLT favorite Steve Porter, with his booming voice and bullish ways.

Director Richard Sharkey says of the cast, “I am really thrilled at the talent we’ve got in this show. ‘A Little Night Music’ is one of my favorite musicals and this production will be made better by the quality of performers we’ve been able to cast. Sondheim’s music is always difficult, but with Pam McNeil’s talent as the musical director, and with this cast, this is a TLT production that no one should miss.”

The story takes place in Sweden in the early 1900’s. The twists and turns in the character’s romantic lives will keep the audience in suspense. Here is a foretaste of one trio’s intertwining romances.

The glamorous Desiree is a touring actress when her former lover, Egerman, attends one of her performances. After the show, Egerman visits Desiree alone, and lamenting about his marriage to his young and innocent (virginal, in fact) trophy wife, the two former lovers rekindle their romance.

The two are interrupted by a surprise visit from Desiree’s current lover, a married military man, Count Malcolm. Malcolm enters Desiree’s room and is stunned to find Egerman dressed in Malcolm’s own robe.

Malcolm, determined to investigate Desiree’s relationship with Egerman, recruits his own wife Charlotte (played by Porter’s real-life wife, Tena Greene-Porter) to get information about Desiree from Egerman’s young wife.

Will Egerman end his chaste marriage in favor of his old love? Will Malcolm’s wife really spy on his lover for him? Will Desiree choose either of these men, or perhaps another?

The answers to these and many more questions will be revealed at performances over two weekends at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Performances are February 17-19 and February 24-26. Show times are 8:00 on Friday and Saturday evenings and 3:00 on Sundays.

To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Tryon Little Theater, Mon–Sat, 10am – 1pm. The TLT Box Office is at 516 South Trade, Tryon 828-859-2466.

Mimi Alexander