As a pretty young woman, Louise Maske yearns for a life filled with a passionate husband and children on the way. Instead, Louise leads a life filled with repression. It is not until she and her husband, Theo, go to town to watch the King's parade that her pent up desires accidentally come falling down around her ankles. With a room to rent in their home, Theo is furious at Louise's inability to keep her knickers up, and is concerned that his now tarnished reputation will prevent them from finding renters. To his surprise, that is the opposite of what happens. Soon, men of all sorts are knocking down their door to rent the room and try their hand at seducing Louise. A sexy and surprising farce, "The Underpants" explores the relationship between repression and power, leaving you with a new respect for 1910 German housewives!
Director Lisa Hodge Kander is a Ph.D. candidate in the Wayne State University department of theatre. Kander is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Drama Studio of London. Most recent directing credits include "Desdemona" at the WSU Studio Theatre and "Julius Caesar" for the Michigan Youth Theatre.
Michael Jezielski (Taylor) will be playing the burly fireplug Theo Maske, with Keara Woods (Flint) as his pretty, young housewife Louise. The cast also includes Frannie Shepherd-Bates (Commerce Twp.) as Gertrude, John Rattray (Melvindale) as Versati, Jason Irwin (Rochester) as Cohen, George Wagner (Houghton) as Klinglehoff, and Samuel Richardson (Detroit) as the King. Scenic design by Kevin Beltz (Eastpointe), Costume design by Lisa Reed (Detroit), and Lighting design by Neil Koivu (Ferndale).
The Studio Theatre season will continue with "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" by Peter Nichols: Nov. 11-13, and Nov. 18-20, "Dinner with Friends" by Donald Margulies: Dec. 2-4, and Dec. 9-11, "Miss Julie" by August Strindberg: Jan. 27-29, Feb. 3-5, "The Louise Heck-Rabi Playwriting Competition:" March 3-5, and March 10-12, "Night Mother" by Marsha Norman: April 14-16, and April 21-23.
The Studio Theatre is located downstairs from the Hilberry Theatre at 4743 Cass Ave., at the corner of Cass and Hancock. Performances of "The Underpants" are at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 21-23, 28-30. Tickets are $9 general admission; $7 for students, senior citizens, WSU faculty, and Alumni Association members. For more information, or to order tickets to "The Underpants," call the Wayne State University Box Office at (313) 577-2972.