This December, Denison will premiere a shortened, reimagined version of Lucky Stiff, an offbeat murder mystery farce complete with mistaken identities, six million dollars in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever been a part of a rehearsal process where I’ve laughed this much,” said director Brad Frenette, an assistant director in Denison’s music theatre program.
While musicals are typically performed in Denison’s largest theatre, Sharon Martin Hall, Frenette has chosen to stage the show in the Hylbert Family Studio, a smaller, more immersive performance space.
“The Hylbert space allows for fun stuff like using the balcony and being close to the audience,” said Natalie Casa ’27, who plays Rita La Porta, a mob wife who ropes people into crazy situations.
The intimate space will enable Ian Schneider ’26 and Robin Adams ’27 to create the sound effects in real time using found materials.
Vanessa Gerakines ’28, who plays Annabel Glick, has enjoyed working with the cast and student directors. “We have several student directors, which is great for getting lots of notes and new ideas,” she said. “The cast feels comfortable playing around with bits and trying out new things in rehearsal.”
Denison will stage the debut of this updated version of Lucky Stiff thanks to Frenette, who emailed the composer and lyricist after the show was chosen for a Denison production.
“They mentioned to me that they had recently workshopped this new one-act version at the J2 Spotlight Theatre Off-Broadway,” he said. “They offered to fast-track the new libretto and score and work with the licensing agency to get these materials to us in time to start rehearsals.”
“It’s one of those musicals that allows the actor to really bring their own comedic sensibilities to each role,” Frenette said. “The actors have embraced that fully.”
Tickets are free but required at artsatdenison.ludus.com. Performance dates and times are as follows:
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 3
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec 4
- 7 p.m. Friday, Dec 5
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec 6
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec 7
- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 9
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec 10
Lucky Stiff
Book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Directed by Brad Frenette
Based on The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo by Michael Butterworth. First produced by Playwrights Horizons, Inc. Off-Broadway in 1988.
Lucky Stiff is an offbeat, hilarious murder mystery farce, complete with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. The story revolves around an unassuming English shoe salesman who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo.
Lucky Stiff (One-Act Version) is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. This production is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI).
