The Theatre Group at SBCC will finish its 80th season with the comedy “Unnecessary Farce” by Paul Slade Smith, directed by Sara Rademacher, April 15-May 2 in the Jurkowitz Theatre.
A who’s-on-first-style comedy, “Unnecessary Farce” features two cops, three crooks, and eight doors.
In a cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next-door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape.
But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s being videotaped, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hit man, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes.
The cast of “Unnecessary Farce” features Felicia Hall, Charlotte Hecker, Will Hughs, James McCarthy, Jenna Scanlon, Nicholis Sheley, and Matthew Tavianini.
Hall (Karen Brown) has performed professionally throughout California, Utah and England. She has received awards, including Robins Talent of the Year, an Indy, multiple Broadway World awards, and a CCART award.
Her Theatre Group at SBCC credits are “A Small Family Business,” “Legally Blonde,” “Guys and Dolls,” “A Comedy of Tenors,” and “Communicating Doors.”
Hecker (Billie Dwyer) has appeared in several Theatre Group and Theatre Department productions at SBCC. Credits include “John Proctor Is the Villain,” and, most recently, “Arms and the Man.”
Hughs (Todd) returns to the SBCC stage after 43 years, having last appeared as Jules in “My Three Angels.” An SBCC alumnus, he later performed extensively on stage in San Francisco during the 1980s and ’90s, and was a member of SAG.
McCarthy is making his second appearance for the Theatre Group at SBCC. During the 2023-24 season he was featured in “Treasure Island.” Other recent productions include: “King Lear” and “Uncle Vanya” for Lit Moon Theatre; “Tales from Ellis Island” and “A Scottish Celebration of the Winter Solstice” for Santa Barbara Revels.
Scanlon has trained at SBCC, Utah Shakespeare Festival & ACT. In addition to shows at SBCC, she has performed with UCSB’s Launch Pad, On the Verge Theater Festival, Out of the Box, and California Shakespeare Co.
Sheley (Eric Sheridan), an SBCC graduate, has been performing with The Theatre Group at SBCC for six years. Credits include “The Outsider,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “Something Rotten!” (as Nick Bottom, a role that earned him the 2022 Broadway World Santa Barbara Award for Best Performer in a Musical).
Originally from Santa Maria, Sheley trained in the two-year acting program at The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
Tavianini (Agent Frank) has served as the managing director/producer/actor with the Boxtales Theatre Co. for some 25 years. He is a graduate of UCSB and the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory.
He co-founded Lit Moon Theatre Company and was recently in its production of “King Lear,” which will tour to Yerevan, Armenia and Craiova, Romania later this year.
Theatre Group at SBCC credits include “Arms and the Man, “Crime and Punishment,” “Treasure Island,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and “One Man, Two Guvnors.”
Rademacher (Director) previously directed “John Proctor Is the Villain” and “The Wolves” at the Jurkowitz Theatre.
Her work has been seen Off-Broadway at Joe’s Public Theater and at theaters and festivals across the country.
She was the founding co-artistic director of Elements Theatre Collective and has worked in dramaturgy, directing, new play development, and youth theater with local companies Ensemble Theatre, LaunchPad, On the Verge, and Out of the Box.
Performances will be April 17-May 2 with previews April 15-16. Due to the intimate nature of the Jurkowitz Theatre, no late seating is permitted.
For tickets call the Box Office, 805-965-5935 or visit www.theatregroupsbcc.com.