Rick Gunn/Nevada Appeal Elizabeth Tonkinson as Clarice, left, Jaime Dunbar as Chuck and Teri Levy as Edith practice 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' during a dress rehearsal at Brewery Arts Center on Tuesday.
Carson Country theatergoers are in for a rare treat: a rarely played comedy in four witty and thoughtful one-act plays performed by the Proscenium Players at the Brewery Arts Center Donald Reynolds Theatre.
"You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running," henceforth known as "YKICHYWTWR," plays 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Nov. 12, 13, 19, 20, and 2 p.m. Nov. 14.
By Robert Anderson, the four one-acts deal with sex, ambition and marriage in multiple forms. Titles are "The Shock of Recognition," "The Footsteps of Doves," "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "I'm Herbert."
At Tuesday night's rehearsals, Norman Subotky as Herbert and Carla Wilson as Muriel ran through "I'm Herbert." The pair swapped discordant memories with all the quick wit of a standup comic wringing laughter from the crew.
Perhaps skipped through would be a better description, because the point of the one-act is identity - who's who and when were they. Seems neither actor can keep their relationships straight, and the mismatched memories are funny enough to be an Oscar Wilde farce.
"While this is all comedy, there are dramatic overtones," said director Dave Josten. "In 'I'm Herbert,' you could say it is a lesson in actually listening to one another."
"The Shock of Recognition" deals with a playwright attempting to get his newest work produced. One of the scenes in the playwright's work (not to be confused with the one-act itself) calls for a man to appear in full-frontal nudity. The producer is skeptical (and rightly so, it seems) but that's where the title "YKICHYWTWR" originates.
"Footsteps of Doves" takes place in a basement of a bedding factory, which allows for all sorts of mistaken takes. "Home for Christmas" is, as the title suggests, a Yule story.
"YKICHYWTWR" was first produced in 1962, and for a show as funny as it is, "had been rarely seen since," said Josten. Don't let the serious moments keep you from the truly funny moments - all without the help of a recorded laugh track.
Eleven actors take part, with two - Jaime Dunbar and Elizabeth Tonkinson - doubling up. The other actors are Tom Strekal, Jonni Moon, Ryan Lynskey, Robin Scott Mills, Beth Peterson, Eloise Koenig and Teri Levy. The producer is Liz Mitchell. Pat Josten did the publicity and programs.
Tickets are $10 for Proscenium Players and Brewery Arts Center members, students and seniors; and $12 general admission.
Contact reporter Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.