Lanikai Melodrama Reprises Wives’ Classic Political Maneuver

Lanikai Mortgage Players present ‘Wedlockout, or Bedfellows Make Strange Politics’ May 16-25 at Shreve Theater, featuring the melodramatic talents of (back, from left) Courtney Nichols, Jeff Griswold, Carol Nichols, Roger Tansley, Bill McRoberts, (front) Diane Craven and Lew Lappert. Photo from Roger Tansley.

Ancient Greece meets 19th century America meets Kailua in the Lanikai Mortgage Players’ spring melodrama, Wedlockout, or Bedfellows Make Strange Politics.

The players hit Shreve Theater at Lanikai Community Center for opening night at 8 p.m. Friday, and performances continue at the same time Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through May 25.

Based on Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, the play was reimagined by the late Nelson Shreve as an 1890s American political satire, where wives clash with their presidential husbands about war and corruption. Tickets cost $7 and come with free popcorn.

Wedlockout is directed by Jim Duca and stars Jeff Griswold, Melissa McRoberts, Roger Tansley (who also produces the show), Carol Nichols, Brenda Hillebrenner, Lew Lappert and Bill McRoberts. Courtney Nichols, Diane Craven and Joyce Cranmer portray the three “harpies.”

The show will be followed by the Mortgage Players’ traditional olio with Fred Barnett. Music will be provided by Paul Dillinger.

To purchase tickets in advance, call June at 262-5482.