Long before he was knighted Sir Noel Coward, the author of Hay Fever wrote the book for this farce in three days, after visiting the dysfunctional family of a New York actress in 1921. He was 24 years old. When it opened on Broadway, after a successful run in London, a critic wrote, "After seeing Hay Fever you will never give week-ends again nor accept week-end engagements, but you will go to the theatre forever and ever. Amen."

Every winter term, a student (or two) takes complete responsibility for directing a dramatic production. The more we grant responsibility, the greater the growth, and this year, Georgia Freed has pulled off another miracle. It all starts in the dressing room before curtain:

The story brings disparate couples together in the home of an ageing actress and her writer-husband and their two maturing children. Their selfish dysfunction enables new romantic alignments to appear and disappear.

A former actress recalls, "Can a person with artistic values live with people whose values are silver teapots and tennis?" What happens when these two worlds meet? That's the play.

Most impressive from the local production is the degree of teamwork and love that is evident throughout.

The acting is great, and audiences will be laughing out loud at the timing with which Coward's hilarious text is delivered.

Congratulations go to the cast and crew (James Terrill and Jared Coffin built the set,) and--in particular--to Georgia Freed, who directs this show with great confidence and insight. The cast spontaneously charged her for a group hug after this evening's dress rehearsal.

The show plays Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 in the Norris Theater.