Footlight Players kick off 2012 with ‘Two'

Jan Rice, director of Michigan City's Footlight Players production of "Chapter Two," expects audiences to laugh and be moved during the Neil Simon favorite.

"It's what we refer to in the business as a 'dramedy,'" she said. "It has its serious side and it's not slapstick-type funny, but it's a comedy. It's typical Neil Simon."

Running Feb. 3 through 12 at Footlight Theatre, "Two" is the tale of widower writer George Schneider who, after meeting with misfortune in the dating strata, falls for Jennie Malone, a divorcee soap opera actress. Both Schneider and Malone struggle with the prospect of perusing a relationship given their pasts and despite being attracted to one another.

"Two" made its premiere in Los Angeles in 1977 before making its way to Broadway later that year, where it receiving a Tony Award nomination for Best Play and ran for more than 800 performances. "Two" made its way to the big screen in 1979, starring James Caan as Schneider and Marsha Mason as Malone.

"I think all of Neil Simon's works are like (F. Scott) Fitzgerald and (Tennessee) Williams," Rice said. "I think he writes a lot from life, and (‘Two') is as applicable today as it was in the 70s."

Donald Beck from Michigan City plays Schneider in Footlight Players production of "Two," with Marianne LaRiccia from Michigan City portraying Malone. They are joined onstage by Dee Piotrowski from Hanna as Malone's friend, Faye Medwick, and James Drader from Valparaiso as Schneider's brother, Leo.

"We needed to have four very, very good actors, and we have found that," Rice said. "I think that this is going to be a really good show."

A patron appreciation reception is scheduled for after the Feb. 5 performance at Blink Art Gallery, 1709 Franklin St., Michigan City.

Next up for Footlight Players is a production of the comedy "Funny Money," slated to open at Footlight Theatre on April 13.