Find out when the Hawkeye Community Theatre’s production of “Play On” hits the stage on Aug. 23.

The Hawkeye actors will be well-prepared for opening night, but their characters might not be.

“It’s a play within a play,” said Director David “Buzz” Powers.

The characters of “Play On” are putting together a production of a play called “Murder Most Foul” written by the ever-inspired Phyllis Montague, played by Joan Meyer.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Jess Barkhaus plays Marla "Smitty" Smith in the Hawkeye Community Theatre's production of "Play On."

“It’s not a very well-written show,” Powers said of the play within the play. “They’re having all kinds of trouble like the author constantly is changing the script, so they’re constantly having to change what they have to deliver, so they’re not really quite prepared.”

In the first two acts of “Play On,” the cast of “Murder Most Foul” try to rehearse for their show as Montague keeps running in with changes and additions to the script. In the third act of “Play On,” the audience gets to see how much of a disaster “Murder Most Foul” has become.

“Well, it goes afoul,” Powers said. “Anyone will find the show funny.”

“Play On” is also a family-friendly show, Powers noted.

In addition to directing the show, Powers also plays the character of Saul Watson. When Powers is on stage, his wife, Ann Powers, fills in in the director’s chair.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The cast of the Hawkeye Community Theatre's production of "Play On" rehearses on stage recently.

“She has been doing a lot of the directing and doing a very nice job,” Buzz Powers said. “Thank God for her.”

“Play On” will run nightly at 7 p.m. Aug. 23-26, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Aug. 26. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at hawkeyetheatre.com or at the door.

This isn’t the first time that the Hawkeye has staged “Play On.” In fact, 23 years ago it was the last show produced at the Laramar before the Hawkeye Community Theatre bought its current building.

Joan Meyer, who plays the playwright Phyllis Montague, also starred in the 2000 production of the show. Back then she played stage manager Aggie Manville, who is being played by Sarah Livingston this time around.

“This is just a super fun show,” Meyer said. “It’s a really funny show and people are going to enjoy it.”

CAST

Character Actor

Aggie Manville: Sarah Livingston

Polly Benish: Heidi Nelson

Henry Benish: Tim Olson

Violet Imbry: Kayla Harlow

Billy Carewe: Dennis Morgan

Saul Watson: Buzz Powers

Louise Peary: Karie Karr

Marla “Smitty” Smith: Jess Barkhaus

Gerry Dunbar: Mari Newman

Phyllis Montague: Joan Meyer