HOLIDAY by Phillip Barry directed by Tony Lea April 22 – May 15 "Holiday,” Philip Barry’s legendary romantic comedy about two wealthy sisters and one young man determined to live his life to the fullest, will play April 22 through May 15. The Deep Dish Book Selection is is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Flappers and Philosophers.”  A discussion of the book, free and open to the public, will be led by Evelyn Daniel prior to the performance on Thursday, May 13.

Classic Comedy “Holiday” to Close

Dish Theater Company's Third Season

CHAPEL HILL—Philip Barry’s “Holiday” will be presented by Deep Dish Theater Company from Thursday, April 22, through Sunday, May 15. The author of “The Philadelphia Story" brings his trademark charm and evanescent wit to this Jazz Age romantic comedy about serious choices.  The production is directed by Tony Lea.

Deep Dish is located in Chapel Hill’s University Mall, located on Estes Drive and US 15-501. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. There will also be a special early show at 7:30 on Wednesday, May 12. Tickets for all performances are $14, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students.  Sunday, April 24 admission is pay-what-you-can. A discussion will follow the matinee performance on May 2.

The Deep Dish Book Selection for this production is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Flappers and Philosophers.”  A discussion of the book, free and open to the public, will be led by Evelyn Daniel prior to the performance on Thursday, May 13.  For reservations and information, call 968-1515.

Written in 1928 (and adapted into a hit film starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant a decade later), “Holiday” begins when Johnny Case, a successful young man of humble beginnings, discovers that his new fiancée, Julia Seton, is the daughter of Edward Seton, the well-known business tycoon.  The elder Seton is determined to dominate his household as completely as he dominates Wall Street, but Johnny is equally resolute in his desire to lead a very different sort of life: he wants to take an extended “holiday” and embark on an adventure of self-discovery while he’s young and vigorous enough to enjoy it.  Though his bride-to-be is bewildered by Johnny’s plan, he finds a kindred spirit in Julia’s unconventional sister, Linda—and their playful yet soulful connection just might save them both from the lives society has mapped out for them.

The Deep Dish Theater production features John Allore as Johnny, Katja Hill as Linda, Tracey Phillips as Julia, Scotty Cherryholmes as Edward, and David Berberian as the sisters’ alcoholic but wryly insightful brother, Ned. Other cast members are Timothy Cole, Kevin Ferguson, Katie Flaherty, Jim Roman, and Collette Rutherford.  Designers include Rob Hamilton (sets), Judy Chang (costumes), Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler (lights), Al Singer (sound), and Devra Thomas (properties). Joy Javits serves as choreographer and J Evarts as stage manager.

Director Lea returns to the Deep Dish Theater after staging last season’s “The Game of Love and Chance.”  “‘Holiday’ is beautifully written,” he says.  “It gets better every time I read it.

“It’s a comedy, but with darker undertones. And the deeper you dig, the more you find. Walking that fine line—honoring the questions the story raises without losing its effervescent sparkle—is what we’ve tried to do in this production.”

For more information on Deep Dish Theater Company, call 933-5281 or visit the Deep Dish website at www.deepdishtheater.org.