Count Almaviva's heart is stolen when he lays eyes on Rosine, but he worries that she will only love him for his money. Can Figaro help him? This comedy is the first play in Beaumarchais' Figaro trilogy. It was written in 1773, but because of political and legal problems, Beaumarchais could not stage the play until 1775. The Barber of Seville was adapted into at least five operas, the best-known being by Rossini. The other plays in the trilogy are The Follies of a Day: or the Marriage of Figaro and The Guilty Mother...

Mr. Rippingill can not get his wife to relax her stony features and smile. Maybe even laugh. "Avis - Lady Whitstable and the pickled salmon. Now consider for a moment, my pet - reflect. What a grotesque contrast! A fine, crusted specimen of our English aristocracy and - pickled fish! The mere contemplation of two images so violently opposed in itself makes for mirth. Doesn't it dearest?" But it is tough going. So he tries to.... - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Seymour Rippingill: Greg Giordano Haynes Webbmarsh: Alan Mapstone Vivian Trood: Tomas Peter John Pullinger: ToddHW Foley: James R...

"Love and perseverance will at last vanquish every obstacle. Today I have kept out of the way of every possible hindrance... and at this moment I actually behold myself in her house.... I have, as you know, spent all the day in concealment, and I have got into the house unseen by any one. What cross event can now happen to disappoint my hopes?" Anybody want to bet that all will go as planned in this comedy? - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma: fluffbemeal Don Caesar,...

Everybody is in town for the wedding of Brighton Early and Miss Amy Lee. Unfortunately that includes Brighton's former flame, his handsome friend Billy with wandering eyes, a king's ransom in family jewels, a marvelous Egyptian scarab with a supposed history of evil influence. And, of course, a clever burglar. Along with several other characters to round out the cast of this farce.... - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Brighton Early, about to be married: Greg Giordano Billy Jackson, the heart breaker: Tomas Peter Professor Solomon Spiggot, an authority on Egypt: ToddHW Hemachus Spiggot, his son, aged seventeen: Adrian Stephens Mr...

This Restoration Comedy follows Lady Brute as she decides whether or not to cuckold her coarse and unloving husband. Not as brash and farcical as Vanbrugh's earlier play "The Relapse," "The Provoked Wife" comments on society and matrimony in a surprisingly modern way. - Summary by WendyKatzHiller Cast of Characters: Constant: Adrian Stephens Heartfree: Gred Giordano Sir John Brute: Alan Mapstone Treble, a Singing-Master : ToddHW Rasor, Valet de Chambre to Sir John Brute: Larry Wilson Justice of the Peace: Wayne Cooke Lord Rake, Companion to Sir John: Algy Pug Col...

Euclio, a miserly old Athenian, has discovered a pot of gold in his house, Afraid it will be found and taken, he watches with the greatest anxiety and moves the treasure around, concealing it first in one spot and then another. Until.... - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: The Household God, who speaks the Prologue: ToddHW Euclio, an aged Athenian: Greg Giordano Megadorus, uncle of Lyconides: Algy Pug Lyconides, a young Athenian: Inkell Strobilus, servant of Megadorus and Lyconides: Alan Mapstone Pythodicus, servant of Megadorus: Kerry Adams Anthrax, Cook: ToddHW Congrio, Cook: Rapunzelina Eunomia, the sister of Megadorus: Kristin G...

Some confusion over a farm and an unexpected inheritance, with expectations of someone who is holding such a position. "You have rather a countrified walk, if you will forgive me for saying so — a more neglige style is adopted by the savoir vivre now, sir, and a more insouciant manner of carrying the umbrella. You walk too much in this way, sir." "Lord love us, do I walk like that?" "Just like that, sir. You see yourself, sir, what a very undestingue appearance it presents." - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Piffin: ToddHW Allen Rollitt: Greg Giordano Luke Cranbourne: Beeswaxcandle Mike Stratton: redrun Mr...

"Oh! Lord Sparkle! - Who can resist the gay, the elegant, the all-conquering Lord Sparkle? The most distinguished feather in the plume of fashion - without that barbarous strength of mind which gives importance to virtues or to vices. Fashionable, because he's well drest: - Brilliant, because he's of the first Clubs, and uses his borrowed wit like his borrowed gold, as tho' it was his own." A delightful comedy by a quite successful woman playwright. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Lord Sparkle:...