Vicious Valentines: An Evening of Love-ly One-Acts
February-March 2011

The Proposal

Nervous farmer Lomov (Logan Lopez) pays a call on his neighbor in order to propose to Natalya (Tracey E. Hebert).  Despite his preparation for this momentous occasion, including his best suit and barely-hidden speech notes, they get off on a tangent. They argue about which of them owns a piece of land between their farms.  The rancor gets out of hand and Natalya calls her father Chubukóv (John Fabiani) to throw Lomov out.
Of course, once Chubukóv mentions that Lomov came to propose marriage, Natalya demands that he bring him back immediately, if not sooner. They start over, but this time get side-tracked insisting who has the better hunting dog!  Lomov faints from the force of the arguing.  When he revives, Chubukóv tells Lomov they have agreed to marry and attempts to get the champagne flowing before the fight starts anew.

Madam President

Philip Spangle (Mark Proulx) just wants to finish reading the financial section of his newspaper.  His wife Victoria (Liz Leshine) has just been elected president of her women's club and goes on at length about her new duties, including delivering a paper on Hamlet.  Although Philip is sure that he will have to write the paper, Victoria insists she can do it herself. She ignores anything Philip tries to tell her.  (She's asked him three time already if he's paid the electric bill.)  She gives up on the club paper and tries to do the day's crossword puzzle, but she needs Philip's help on almost every word, all the while insisting she doesn't.  Her last inquiry, A prince of Denmark?  Who in the world knows that? drives Philip to distraction—and into the next room to finish his article.

The Bear

Madame Popova (Mary Fernandez-Sierra) is despondent.  Her no-good cheating husband has died and she is determined to prove that she is a truly devoted spouse by mourning him forever, despite her servant, Luba (Anna Marie Johansen), exhorting her to go out and meet somebody.
She is interrupted by Smirnoff (Allen Nott), one of her late husband's creditors, who insists he be paid immediately.  She cannot pay him because her accountant is gone until tomorrow.  Smirnoff cannot wait until tomorrow—he has bills of his own that are due today! Popova dismisses Smirnoff's arguments, as well as Smirnoff himself, and leaves the room.  He, railing against all women and their double-dealings, declares he will not leave until he is paid, Luba's pleadings notwithstanding.
Popova is incensed that Smirnoff has not left.  He is just as incensed that she will not pay him.  She insults him, and he demands satisfaction on the field of honor, while Luba, close to panic, goes for help. Smirnoff is suddenly smitten by Popova's courage in agreeing to the duel.  He says he will not shoot her.  She is angered anew, calling him a coward.  The quarrel gets physical so naturally they fall in love with each other.
Luba arrives with the villagers (everybody from the other two plays) only to find that all differences have been resolved.
Photos by LJB Special Photography
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Other Theatre links:

In The Spotlight, Inc.
Pillow Talking—"He Said/She Said"
The Connecticut Callboard
Connecticut Gilbert and Sullivan Society

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