For Immediate Release: September 10, 2005
Media Contact: Bohdan Senkow, Players Club of Swarthmore Theatre, 610.499.4359

The Players Club Theatre will open its 95th theatre season with Hay Fever, a classic drawing room comedy, by Noel Coward, on Thursday, September 22. As typical of all of Noel Cowards plays, Hay Fever introduces us to some very eccentric characters that make every scene a crisis. The N.Y. Times called this "An evening of intoxicating escape."

In Hay Fever, the ultra-Bohemian Bliss family is made up of mother Judith, a retired actress; father David, a novelist, and the children Simon and Sorel, who are just a bit spoiled. It's a quiet weekend at the country house of David and Judith Bliss...that is, until the houseguests begin to arrive. It seems Judith, the retired actress, has invited a young man her son's age. Her daughter Sorel, on the other hand, has invited a man with graying temples. Her son Simon has a guest too, a woman old enough to be his mother, whereas David's guest...well, it's the 1920's and there's a word for shorthaired, short-skirted young things like her. Given this cast of characters, you may think you know where the plot is headed, but if so, you underestimate the inventiveness of Noel Coward.

Directed by Miriam T. Barnett of Rose Valley, Hay Fever has and outstanding ensemble of performers from throughout the Greater Philadelphia area featuring Gene D’Alessandro of Philadelphia as Richard Greatham; Diana Connolly of Media as Sorel Bliss; Richard Deaver of Folsom as Sandy Tyrrell; Donna Dougherty of Newark, De, as Myra Arundel; Sue Giddings of Exton as Judith Bliss; Virginia Lockwood of Aston as Clara; Serena Marinelli of Rosemont as Jackie; Michael Steven Schultz of Swarthmore as Simon Bliss and Albert Them of Lansdowne as David Bliss.

Hay Fever will run Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:00 PM, September 22 through October 8th, with Sunday Matinees on September 25th and October 2nd at 2:00 PM. Box office prices are just $15 for adults and $8 for those ages 18 and under. The Players Club Theatre offers free and convenient parking and is located on Fairview Road off of Route 320 just minutes from the Blue Route and I-95, in the Village of Swarthmore. Open seating is almost always available. Information and directions are available online at www.pcstheater.org or by phone at 610-328-4271.

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