'30s- and '40s-Style Farce Suite Surrender at Hayes Center July 3 to 12

Story by Anna Oakes

Suite Surrender, a zany farce in the style of classic 1930s and ‘40s comedies, will make its North Carolina premiere at the Hayes Center in Blowing Rock beginning Friday, July 3, and continuing through Sunday, July 12.

A well-executed farce is no small feat. Eliciting raucous laughter from an audience requires clever playwriting, skillful directing and careful attention to rhythm and timing. From Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 12, the Blowing Rock Stage Company plans to deliver with Suite Surrender, a zany play in the style of 1930s and ‘40s comedies.

Show times at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock are 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, July 3 and 10; 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, and 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11; 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 12; 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8; and 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9.

Written by award-winning South Florida playwright Michael McKeever, Suite Surrender is set in 1942 at the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel, where two of Hollywood’s biggest divas—who happen to despise each other—have mistakenly been booked for the same suite. As the staff desperately attempts to keep the two women separated, the play takes off with mistaken identities, double entendres and overblown egos.

“This is the first farce that I’ve ever written,” said McKeever, who has written 20 plays in 15 years, all of which have been produced. Suite Surrender is homage to the broad comedies of the 1930s and 1940s—films like Bringing Up Baby, You Can’t Take It With You and His Girl Friday, the playwright said.

“It’s sort of a love note to that kind of film, of which I’m a huge fan,” he said. Farces are less common these days, McKeever added, “which is sad, because when they’re done well, they’re magic.”

The Blowing Rock Stage Company performance will be the North Carolina premiere of Suite Surrender. The play debuted in Florida and is booked for showings in Texas and Germany, McKeever said.

McKeever himself will be in Blowing Rock to star in his own comedy (as Mr. Pippet, the personal private secretary of one of the divas, legendary star Claudia McFadden), along with a seasoned professional cast that includes BRSC veterans Kim Cozort, Lynn Llewelyn, Rebecca Koon and newcomer Beth Dimon. Producing Artistic Director Kenneth Kay will direct the comedy.

McKeever was an actor in his early 20s but stopped to become an art director for film and television. When he started writing his own plays several years later, he got hooked back into acting again.

“It's a kick playing in my own work,” McKeever said in a press release. “There's nothing better than being on stage and hearing an audience roar with laughter at something you've written.”

McKeever met Kay in Florida about 10 years ago, when Kay served as his director.

“He is easily one of the five best directors I’ve ever worked with,” McKeever said about Kay. “His insight as a director is top notch, and yet, rehearsal is a blast. He keeps it informal and fun and really makes it a joy for the cast.

“As a playwright, it’s a joy to sit back and watch the magic come together,” he added.

McKeever, who is based in Fort Lauderdale, is the winner of two Carbonell Awards (The Garden of Hannah List, Charlie Cox) and three Curtain Up Awards (Running with Scissors, Open Season, Sexy & Miggs).

Individual tickets are $26 for adults and $14 for students. As a special Suite Surrender opening night event, the Hayes Center will offer heavy hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Glidewell’s restaurant in the outside courtyard at the Hayes Center on Friday, July 3, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. (In the event of rain, the reception will take place in the Ebert Rehearsal Hall on the second floor.) Cost is $10 per person. Additional Suite Surrender dinner and show packages starting at $77 per couple are also available at Glidewell’s, Bistro Roca, Crippens and the Manor House at Chetola Resort.

For tickets or more information, call 828-295-9627 or click to www.HayesCenter.org.