News

Veteran cast of 'Separate Beds' like 'family coming home'

Marcy McGuigan and Patrick Sullivan star in 'Separate Beds' at the Playhouse.

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 15, 2019

Flat Rock Playhouse is cooling off this summer with Separate Beds, a playful romantic comedy.

The entertaining yet emotional story focuses on a decades-old marriage facing the unknown: an empty nest. Setting sail on a cruise to shake things up, two longtime spouses meet another couple who seems to have it all — romance, excitement and spontaneity. But is the grass actually greener on the other side? Find out in this heartwarming and hilarious voyage of rediscovery.

Directed by Playhouse favorite Scott Treadway, Separate Beds guarantees an evening of love and laughter at Flat Rock Playhouse, running through July 20. Audiences can expect a stunning cast and artistic team, bringing the characters and sitcom-esque comedy to life.

The show features Peter Thomason (Ernie Fraiser), Linda Edwards (Twink Frasier), Patrick Sullivan (Blake Stone), Marcy McGuigan (Beth Stone). Sullivan was last seen at Flat Rock Playhouse as Franklin Hart, the boss, in 9 to 5 and Thomason, Edwards, and McGuigan are longtime performers at Flat Rock Playhouse.

"One of the best parts of Flat Rock Playhouse is the long legacy of actors who work here season after season," says Lisa K. Bryant, the theater's artistic director. "It feels like family coming home. The joyfulness of playing together on stage with long-time friends is shared with the audience because the chemistry is just too real and good. Topping that off is that these folks are all incredibly talented pros. They are good, solid people that theaters want to hire over and over again."

Featuring a charming script by award-winning, female playwright, M.J. Cruise, Separate Beds is receiving the classic Flat Rock Playhouse production treatment as well. Sandra Lopez is completing her second year at Flat Rock Playhouse as Assistant Scenic Designer and explained that the set seamlessly combines the physical and emotional experience of being lost at sea.

“When I think of a cruise, I see open water and an endless sky,” said Lopez. “The stage evokes this feeling through a series of flats, while incredible lighting creates beautiful sunsets and the bright blue sky. Our cabin and suite are a suggestion of the room with the sea surrounding, all outlined in a silhouette of a cruise ship. This unique set complements but does not rely on a box or a typical 'sitcom' layout to celebrate the quirkiness of the show.”

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Performances are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for adults or children can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-737-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.