The Knox College Department of Theatre and Dance presents Michael Frayn's comedy "Noises Off," at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, October 27-29, and November 3-5.  Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and free for students. Tickets are available at the door or in advance from the Knox College Student Activities Office, 309 341-7489.

"Noises Off" is a farce -- "perhaps the greatest farce of the 20th-century, very much fun to watch," in the view of the director, Robert Whitlatch, Seeley Distinguished Professor of Theatre at Knox. "It's about a second-rate acting company, playing third-rate cities. Doors won't open, lines won't come out right. You also get a backstage view, where you see the characters become more and more like the roles that they're playing. This 'play within a play' gives a hilarious look at how much theatre is a reflection of life."

In the student cast are Morgan Laurel Cohen, Nathan Thompson, Evan Sawdey, Meghan Reardon, Douglas Porter, Mikah Berky, Brian Conley, Mike Smith and Ariel Lauryn.

The student crew includes Nick Perry, assistant director; Heather Courtney, stage manager; Beth Golemo, assistant stage manager; and Jasmin Tomlins, properties master.
 
The set designer is Craig Choma, associate professor of theatre. Student designers include Chelsea Lynn, lights; Tom Fucoloro, sound, Karl Rainsberger, costumes; and Morgan Laurel Cohen, makeup.

Whitlatch last directed the play at Knox in 1989, with a cast that included Amy Carlson, Knox graduate who has appeared in "Law and Order: Trial by Jury," "Third Watch" and a number of other television programs and motion pictures.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 46 states and 43 nations. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Noises Off
by Michael Frayn
Harbach Theatre
Knox College
Oct. 27-29; Nov. 3-5, 2005

Cast:
Dotty Otley: Morgan Laurel Cohen '06
Lloyd Dallas: Nathan Thompson '05
Garry Lejeune: Evan Sawdey '07
Brooke Ashton: Meghan Reardon '08
Fredrick Fellowes: Douglas Porter '05
Belinda Blair: Mikah Berky '09
Selsdon Mowbray: Brian Conley '07
Tim Allgood : Mike Smith '08
Poppy Norton-Taylor: Ariel Lauryn '08

Production:
Director: Robert Whitlatch, Seeley Distinguished Professor of Theatre
Assistant Director: Nick Perry '08
Stage Manager: Heather Courtney '06
Assistant Stage Manager: Beth Golemo '08
Lighting Design: Chelsea Lynn '06
Set Design: Craig Choma '93 Associate Professor of Theatre
Properties Master: Jasmin Tomlins '09
Sound Design: Tom Fucoloro '08
Costume Design: Karl Rainsberger '06
Makeup Design: Morgan Laurel Cohen '06

Set Crew:
Adrian Andersen, Heather Courtney, Danny Fisher-Bruns, Ariel Lauyrn,
Annie Lawrence, Kari Lefevre, Chelsea Lynn, Courtney Meaker, Rebecca Meyerson, Mike
Smith

Knox College Theatre Program

Robert Whitlatch Faculty Biography

Rehearsal Photos:

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Above: Brian Conley tries to grab a bottle of liquor from Morgan Cohen Ross who, along with fellow actors Nathan Thompson and Mikah Berky, is attempting to keep Conley from drinking.
Below: Evan Sawdey trips over some misplaced boxes and falls down a flight of stairs, while Doug Porter, Mikah Berky and Morgan Cohen Ross look on.

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