Is He Dead?

February 5-28, 2010
A New Comedy by Mark Twain, Adapted by David Ives
--- Directed by Matthew Earnest

Written by Twain in 1898, Is He Dead? richly intermingles elements of burlesque, farce, and social satire. A group of poor artists in Barbizon, France, stage the death of a friend to drive up the price of his paintings. In order to make this scheme succeed, the artists hatch some hilarious plots involving cross-dressing, a full-scale fake funeral, lovers’ deceptions, and much more.

"...a marvelous sketch -- a delightful two-act comedy sketch to be enjoyed as part lampoon and part cartoon..."
- Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer
"...Sprightly Laurel Johnson and the infectious Liz Conway are adorable as sisters Marie and Cecile Leroux..."
- Fran Heller, Cleveland Jewish News

"Holy Ghosts" at The Beck Center

September 28 – October 21, 2007 --- Fri & Sat: 8pm, Sun: 3pm
By Romulus Linney --- Directed by Matthew Wright
at The Beck Center

Snake handling, speaking in tongues and Southern Pentecostals. Linney’s fascinating tale of a Smokey Mountain sect blends both drama and dark comedy building to an unbelievable climax.
WITH:
Laurel Johnson and Nick Koesters of The Kill Point on Spike TV

REVIEW:
Cleveland Free Times - by J. Damico
"Standing out among the uniformly excellent performances are . . . particularly Laurel Johnson as Nancy, who is as plainly and saucily captivating as a mountain wild flower."