The Royal Canadian Theatre is getting ready to spice things up for its spring production.
The company is staging Neil Simon’s comedy The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, onstage at the Surrey Arts Centre and the Anvil Theatre in New West this month.
The production marks the final show selected by the company’s artistic director emeritus, Ellie King, before her retirement — and artistic director Kerri Norris is putting a special spin on the production.
The show usually features four actors: one man and three women. For this show, though, Norris has cast one woman for all three roles.
Justin Spurr takes the stage as Barney Cashman, with Crystal Weltzin appearing as Elaine, Bobbi and Jeanette.
“The acting duo have had so much fun creating this production and working together in each act to create a fun, sexually awkward comedy,” a press release notes.
Nicole DesLauriers directs the play, which follows the story of Barney — a happily married, 47-year-old father of three children who has hit a midlife crisis.
As the release notes, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers examines what it means to grow older and asks the question, “What do you do when it seems as if your life hasn’t been fully lived?” How many chances will Barney get to create a beautiful moment, and how many strangers will he bring back to his mother’s apartment?
Get tickets for The Last of the Red Hot Lovers in Surrey, New Westminster
The Last of the Red Hot Lovers is onstage at the Surrey Arts Centre (13750 88th Ave., Surrey) Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, with shows at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Opening night will feature a post-show gala that includes a sneak preview of the company’s 2023/24 season.
It then plays at the Anvil Theatre (777 Columbia St., New Westminster) from Friday, March 24 to Saturday, April 1. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on March 24, 29, 30, 31 and April 1, with 3:30 p.m. matinees on March 25, 26 and April 1.
The Saturday, March 29 show will be a “relaxed performance” — a sensory-friendly show that’s designed to make theatre more welcoming for audience members with sensory, communication or other challenges.
Tickets are $34.99 regular, or $29.99 for seniors 60+ and children 12 and under. Family pack and group discounts are available.
Buy tickets online for the Surrey Arts Centre or Anvil Theatre performances.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca
