The Hilberry Theatre has announced its presentation of The Inspector General by Nikolai Gogol, adapted by Peter Raby and based on a translation by Leonid Ignatieff, opening at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2006. This high-spirited and keen-witted satire on official crookedness and human stupidity is funny, fast-paced and refreshing. Corrupt officials fall over themselves to put their town back together after an inspector general is dispatched to scrutinize them, bribing and fawning over him to cover up their misdeeds. But it turns out the inspector general is not everything he appears to be.

Written and produced in 1836, The Inspector General is universally respected as one of the greatest plays of the Russian theatre. Playwright and novelist Nikolai Gogol was a Ukrainian-born Russian writer. When The Inspector General debuted, it received great public attention, but its satirical tone created controversy and caused Gogol to flee to Rome. During this time of political censorship, the use of the fantastic in storytelling was particularly helpful in getting a play produced. Therefore, Gogol’s works are often outrageously funny.

Directed by Dr. James Thomas, the cast includes: Christopher M. Bohan (Ammós Fyódorovich Lyápkin-Tyápkin/the Judge), Patrick Moltane (Artémy Filíppovich Zemlyaníka/the Director of Charities), Dan Watson (Khristián Ivánovich Hübner/the doctor/waiter), Michael Boynton (Luká Lúkich Khlópov/the Director of Education), Jeff Thomakos (Antón Antónovich Skvóznik-Dmukhanóvsky/the Mayor), Jeff Luttermoser (Iván Kúzmich Shpékin/the Postmaster), Jennifer McConnell (Peter Ivánovich Bóbchinsky/a landowner), Megan Callahan (Peter Ivánovich Dóbchinsky/a landowner), Mikel Allan (Derzhimórda/a policeman), Michael Brian Ogden (Stepán Ílich Ukhovyórtov/the Superintendent of Police), Carly Germany (Anna Andréyvna/the Mayor’s wife), Tiffanie Kilgast (Márya Antónovna/the Mayor’s daughter), David Woitulewicz (Míshka/the Mayor’s servant), Mike Metzel (Ósip/Khlestakóv’s servant), Sean Ward (Iván Alexándrovich Khlestakóv/a government clerk), Nathan Magee (Abdúlin/a merchant), Christopher Corporandy (Chernyáyev/a merchant), Frank Leone (Panteléyev/a merchant) and Cynthia Barker (a locksmith’s wife).

The Inspector General plays through Saturday, May 13, 2006 in rotating repertory with Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare.

Ticket prices range from $15 - $28 with student rush tickets available the day of the performance for $10. Group discounts are also available. For tickets and further information, please call (313) 577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University Box Office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Ave. and W. Hancock. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting the theatre’s website at www.hilberry.com.

Season sponsored by Between the Lines, Metrotimes and Dearborn Times Herald.