by April Helms

Special Products Editor

Politics and Pygmalion are the themes in "Born Yesterday," on stage at Actors' Summit in Hudson.

Another theme could be that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The action may take place in 1945, but several of the issues -- especially regarding corruption in government -- resonate in today's world. Harry Brock (played by artistic director Neil Thackaberry) is a junk dealer whose only aim is to increase his considerable personal wealth, no matter who he has to trample, bully or fight to get it. His associates, including attorney Jim Devery (played by Dana Hart) and his brother Eddie (played by Daniel H. Taylor), live in mortal terror of Brock's quick temper.

Brock has gone to the state capital with his mistress Billie Dawn (played by Alicia Kahn) in tow. Brock is rough and gruff, but even he's worried about the impression the uneducated Billie will have on the movers and shakers, including the easily bribed Sen. Hedges (played by Steve Ryan) and his wife (played by Steve's real-life wife Linda Ryan). So Brock hires a young investigative reporter, Paul Verral (played by Peter Voinovich) to show Billie the ropes and to smooth out her "rough edges." What Brock doesn't count on is that underneath those golden curls, Billie not only has a working brain but a mind of her own. Anyone familiar with the Greek myth of Pygmalion can probably guess what happens next, but the journey to that somewhat predictable ending is an amusing ride.

Rounding out the cast are Jocelyn Roueiheb, who plays the maid Helen, and Scott Thomas, who plays the bell boy.

The play seemed to be a hit with the May 2 audience.

"This was very professional and enjoyable," said Gene Hopkins of Brecksville. "I enjoyed the ending, the attorney's final words."

Mary Ann Winget of Stow agreed.

"I thought it was really good," she said. "I thought the girl who played Billie was good. I saw the movie, and I thought she did a good job."

Mary Jo Alexander, the co-artistic director for the theater and director for the show, said she and the cast "had a lot of fun" with the play, despite some of the challenges. One challenge was the tight rehearsal time due to the lengthened run of Actors' Summit's previous show, "Golda's Balcony." "Golda's Balcony" closed April 20, and "Born Yesterday opened May 1.

"We were working on the 'Golda' set [during some of the rehearsals], so instead of the nice stairway, we stumbled around on the platforms for a while," Alexander said. "The rehearsal pace was frantic."

Alexander commended the cast for their work.

"The atmosphere is wonderful," she said. "They did a great job."

Tickets

"Born Yesterday" runs through May 18. Tickets are $25 on Fridays and Saturdays, and $22 on Thursdays and Sundays. College students and seniors receive a $2 discount at all regular Thursday and Sunday performances. Students under age 18 are admitted for half price at all performances. Remainder of season subscriptions are available. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more.

Tickets can be purchased on line at www.actorssummit.org or by phone by calling 330-342-0800.

Actors' Summit Theater can be found online at www.actorssummit.org.

Next on stage

Actors' Summit will next stage the musical "Swingtime Canteen" from June 12 through 29.

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153