Opposites Attract in Flora as Ithaca College Theatre

Kander and Ebb, the artistic team whose stage musicals Cabaret, Chicago, and Kiss of the Spider Woman brightened up Broadway, bring together two disparate personalities in Flora, the Red Menace, the next offering in the 1998–99 Ithaca College Theatre season.

Flora, the Red Menace will be staged in Clark Theatre, Dillingham Center for the Performing Arts, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 25–27, and again Tuesday through Saturday, March 30–April 3. The performances are scheduled for 8:00 p.m. each evening, and a 2:00 p.m. matinee is set for Saturday, April 3.

Directed by Susannah Berryman, Flora tells the story of a group of young artists putting on their own play during the time of FDR’s Works Progress Administration. Flora, who is delightfully spirited but knows little about politics, falls in love with the communist Harry, who knows a lot about politics but little about being spirited. Flora, the Red Menace originally opened on Broadway on May 11, 1965, at the Alvin Theatre, and was adapted by Kander and Ebb from Lester Atwell’s novel Love Is Just around the Corner. Flora launched the extraordinary career of Liza Minelli, who earned a Tony Award for her performance in the title role.

The Ithaca College production features Jennifer Hall ’99 as Flora, Brian C. Maillard ’99 as Harry, Piper Goodeve ’01 as Charlotte, and Jerad Bortz ’01 as Willy.

The artistic staff includes Mary Corsaro, choreographer; Jeffrey R. Smith ’99, musical director/conductor; Tim Owens ’00, scenic designer; Tyler M. Roach ’99, lighting designer; Shana Skop ’00, costume designer; T. J. McEvoy ’01, sound designer; Gordon Strain ’00, technical director; and Frances Malcolm Horn ’00, stage manager.

Tickets for the Tuesday through Thursday evening performances and the Saturday matinee are $4.50 for students; $6.00 for Ithaca College staff and faculty, senior citizens, and members of the Friends of Ithaca College; and $7.50 for the general public. Friday and Saturday evening tickets for those groups are $6.00, $7.00, and $9.00, respectively. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

Tickets go on sale at the Ithaca College Theatre box office, located in Dillingham Center, on March 22. Box office hours are Monday through Friday from noon until 5:00 p.m. For more information or to reserve tickets call 274-3224.