Keegan Theatre Presents DC Premiere of UNNECESSARY FARCE

January 4, 2018: The Keegan Theatre opens 2018 with the Washington, DC premiere of Paul Slade Smith’s award-winning stage comedy, UNNECESSARY FARCE. Opening on January 23, this delightfully hilarious comedy is directed by Ray Ficca and features actors Jon Townson, Noah Shaefer, Mario Baldessari, Karen Novack, Emily Levey, Jenna Lawrence, and Christopher Herring. Ray Ficca most recently appeared on the Keegan stage as Flan in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION.  “We’re thrilled to have Ray back at Keegan, this time in the director’s seat,” says Susan Marie Rhea, Keegan’s artistic director and Ficca’s co-star in SIX DEGREES.  “He brings a deep familiarity with this piece and its playwright, a natural sense of the rhythm and energy that farce requires, and an approach to directing that perfectly suits Keegan’s aesthetic and collaborative culture.  We’re eager for UNNECESSARY FARCE to open, so that we can delight and uplift our Keegan audiences during this cold and often dreary season!”

Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. GO!
In an economy motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant. In the room next door, two undercover cops are supposed to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s watching the video, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hit man, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes.

Paul Slade Smith is a writer and actor living in Brooklyn, New York. The East coast premiere of his latest play, THE OUTSIDER, begins performances on January 24, 2018 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. As an actor, Paul is currently appearing in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY on Broadway. His past performing credits include FINDING NEVERLAND (original Broadway cast), national tours of WICKED and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and productions at American Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Goodman, Steppenwolf and Theatre Under the Stars.

UNNECESSARY FARCE runs January 19, 2018 through February 10, 2018 at The Keegan Theatre in Washington, DC. The press opening is Tuesday, January 23, 2018. This is Keegan Theatre’s 21st season performing in Washington, DC.