Press Release

Taylor Theatre to Present Noises Off

19 April 2023

cast members of Noises off rehearse on stage

Taylor Theatre presents Michael Frayn’s Noises Off on April 28-29 and May 5-6 at 7:30 pm, and April 30th and May 7th at 2 pm in Taylor University’s Mitchell Theatre. Purchase tickets by contacting the box office at 765-998-5289 or boxoffice@taylor.edu. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $10 for senior citizens. 

In Michael Frayn’s roaring three-act play within a play, joyous chaos unfolds onstage and off. Set in 1982 in England, a somewhat competent theater director attempts to save his production of “Nothing On” in the final hours before curtain, but everything goes wrong. After a disastrous rehearsal in Act One and a perilous Wednesday matinee in Act Two, portrayed from backstage, the comedy concludes with an unforgettable closing performance in Act Three. As the actors juggle improvised lines, malfunctioning set pieces, and disappearing sardines, what emerges is a hilarious adventure for friends and family.

“It is often difficult for us to justify laughter and leisure,” says director Tracy Manning. “We trivialize frivolity and promote seriousness amongst our children and one another. We dismiss “clowns” as less serious people, sometimes as less smart people.  Seriousness is valuable but so is laughter.  We were made to laugh, long and heartily, we just sometimes have difficulty finding anything to laugh at.”  Playwright Michael Frayn has given us something to laugh at! As Selsdon Mowbray says in the final line of the show, 'When all around is strife and uncertainty, there’s nothing like an old-fashioned plate of sardines.'”

CREATIVE TEAM: Tracy Manning (Director), Emma Dahlquist (Set Design), Conner Reagan (Light Design), Claire Vock (Costume Design) Liannah Foster (Makeup & Hair Design), Molly Lemont (Stage Manager), Eleana Manning (Dramaturg & Assistant to the Director)

CAST: Angie DeStefano (Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clackett), Steven Day (Lloyd Dallas), Aidan Merck (Garry Lejeune/Roger), Claire Vock (Brooke Ashton/Vicki), Cade Rogers (Frederick Fellows/Phillip Brent/Sheikh), Caroline Gilmer (Belinda Blair/Flavia Brent), Israel Smith (Selsdon Mowbray/Burglar), Eleanor Cooper (Poppy Norton-Taylor), Michael Pierce (Timothy Allgood)

Taylor Theatre provides an immersive experience for audiences and participants by pursuing excellence on and off the stage, embracing difficulty and asking questions in pursuit of truth.