Inspecting Carol
by Daniel Sullivan
Directed by Joe Thompson

When a regional theater company, whose members are made up of various eccentric characters are informed that their annual endowment grant is in question and an inspector will be coming to decide their fate, a case of mistaken identity turns a young aspiring actor of questionable talent into the star of their own interpretation of "A Christmas Carol." Actors' egos and a riotous version of a classic favorite provides for nonstop laughter.

Week 1: March 20, 21 at 8 pm - March 22 at 2 pm

Week 2: March 27, 28 at 8 pm - March 29 at 2 pm

Week 3: April 3, 4 at 8 pm

Thank goodness for laughter. Did you know that laughing has a profound effect on your mind, your body and your spirit? From reducing stress hormones like cortisol to giving your internal organs a massage and exercising your diaphragm, its benefits are well documented. And it feels soooo good.

But humor also increases our wisdom, by helping us gain perspective - laugh at ourselves and see the absurdity and irony that surround our lives. In case you haven't figured it out yet: I like to laugh. I imagine that you do, too.

This play is about a group of dysfunctional people who take themselves very seriously. They happen to be a theater group, but they could be any group that spends a lot of time together - at work, at school, church or synagogue. OK, I'm being way too coy here; let's cut to the chase: One of these people is probably you. You probably never get the chance to stand outside of yourself and watch the silliness that is life, so we are doing it for you. How cool is that?

I have to say that there were times when the problems involved with putting on a production have blurred the boundaries between us and the characters in the play. (My favorite line from "Shakespeare in Love" tells us that theater is "Insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster" but it all works out well in the end.)

Any way, enjoy the show and as an old song said so well "Live, love, laugh and be happy" although perhaps a more apropos lyric might be "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands."

Joe Thompson