PARCEL PLAYERS PRESENT MASTERPIECE OF FARCE
“Black Comedy” Brings Humor to Light

WHEELING, W.Va. (June 29, 2009)- - Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players open their summer season with Peter Shaffer’s one act masterpiece of farce “Black Comedy,” which will be staged at 8 p.m. July 8 –11 at Towngate Theatre, 2118 Market Street, Wheeling.

Using a theatrical device whereby the role of light and dark are reversed, “Black Comedy” is a hilarious romp with a group of zany characters feeling their way around a pitch-black room, although the stage is lit and visible to the audience.

The plot centers around starving artist Brindsley Miller and his fiancé Carol, who have embellished his apartment with furnishings they “borrowed” from the out-of-town antiques collector next door in order to impress Carol’s pompous father and a wealthy art dealer, who have been invited over for a dinner party. As the guests begin to arrive, the fussy neighbor unexpectedly returns and a blown fuse plunges the apartment into darkness. When the lights go out, the characters are thrown into a dizzying array of mistaken identities, physical comedy and general mayhem as Brindsley frantically attempts to return the items before light is restored.

“Black Comedy” was nominated for a Tony Award in 1967. Shaffer is also the author of the award winning plays “Equus” and “Amadeus.”

Directed by P.D. Gregg, “Black Comedy” cast members include: John Varner, Jessica Webster, Cameron Allen, Sanjay Dharawat, Zach Michael, Cora Edge and Chelsea LaRue.

Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players began more than 40 years ago and offers young people interested in theater a chance to perform, direct, work with costumes, lighting and more. The group stages three productions each summer. FOX Ohio Valley is the proud media sponsor of the 2009 season.

All Parcel Players shows take place at Towngate Theatre. Tickets are available at the door or by calling the Stifel Center at 304.242.7700. All performances are at 8 p.m., and seats for Parcel Players productions are just $7 each.

These programs are presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.