Upcoming productions for Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre

By Anne Krueger

Neil Simon’s classic “The Odd Couple” and the musical farce “Lucky Stiff” are among the spring and summer productions set for Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre.

Directed by Geno Carr, “Lucky Stiff” details the story of unassuming English shoe salesman Harry Witherspoon, who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently-murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo –– and pass off the deceased as being alive –– if he hopes to inherit $6 million. If he is unable to pass off his uncle as alive, all of the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn.

Written by Tony Award-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Rocky,” “Seussical,” “Ragtime”), “Lucky Stiff” is a zany, offbeat, hilarious murder mystery with a tuneful score and a well-oiled plot. “Lucky Stiff” will be performed March 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances at 2 p.m. are set for March 12 and 19.

On April 1 and 2, Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department faculty, staff and special guest will hold a special fundraising performance, “Loves Me…Loves Me Not,” a comedic stage reading that looks at love from all its complicated angles. (Because this show includes some adult themes, it is not appropriate for those under the age of 18.) Performances will be held in Room 220 at Grossmont College, and the $20 admission charge ($10 for Grossmont College students) will be committed to the Summer Conservatory Program.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, as well as being a successful movie and television series, “The Odd Couple” finds neurotic neat freak Felix Unger being thrown out by his wife and moving in with his divorced friend, slovenly sportswriter Oscar Madison. Hilarity ensues when Oscar’s untidy, yet happy life of excessive gambling, smoking, and drinking collides with Felix’s need to obsessively clean and criticize others.

Directed by Jeannette Thomas, “The Odd Couple” will be performed May 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances at 2 p.m. are set for May 7 and 14.

The season concludes in July with the 3rd Annual Summer Theatre Arts Conservatory program production of “Around the World in 80 Days,” a musical version of the timeless tale of amazing adventure as Phileas Fogg attempts to circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days in order to win a sizeable wager.

The Summer Theatre Arts Conservatory brings high school and college students together to perform at the Stagehouse Theatre. Student performers and technicians learn what it is like to work in a professional theatre by committing to daytime classes that teach specialized skills, as well as evening rehearsals and two weeks of performances.

Tickets, including a mini-season ticket plan (which does not include the summer show), can be purchased by phone, online, or at the box office. For online tickets and information about performances, visit grossmont.edu/theatrebrochure; by phone, call 619-644-7234. The box office is at Grossmont College, Bld. 22A/Room 200A1 (back of Parking Lot 1). The box office opens one hour prior to each production.