Theater to stage suspenseful farce

BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre continues its season with the twisted tale of a time-traveling sex specialist suddenly and surreally caught up in several murderous plots. “Communicating Doors” comes to the historic Bangor Opera House Feb. 7-18.

“There’s no better time for comedy in Maine than during winter’s prime,” said PTC producing artistic director Scott R.C. Levy. “The wonderful thing about this piece is that the wittiness of the dialogue and the plot make it more than just your typical farce.”

In “Communicating Doors,” a London “sex specialist” from the future stumbles into a murder plot that sends her, via an odd set of connecting hotel room doors, traveling back in time to prevent a pair of killings.

“Communicating Doors” is written by one of Britain’s most prolific and celebrated playwrights, Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Time Magazine called the play “a clever and quite moving work.”

Directing “Communicating Doors” is Penobscot Theatre regular Adam K?ykendall, who recently returned to Bangor from New York City where he lent his talents to such film, television and theater outlets as HBO, Disney, MTV, NBC, SoHo Playhouse and the New York City Ballet.

Kae Cooney returns for a sixth season at PATC as Poopay in “Communicating Doors.” Her credits here include Suzanne/Countess in “Picasso at Lapin Agile,” Belinda in “Noises Off,” Honey in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” Annie in “The Miracle Worker,” Cecile Pigeon in “The Odd Couple” and Ariel in “The Tempest.”

Appearing at Penobscot Theatre for the first time is Kari Floberg, who plays Jessica. She has taken the stage for Mill Mountain Theatre’s “42nd Street” and “Wonderful Town,” Musical Theatre West’s “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Will Roger’s Follies,” and has appeared on television in “The Young and the Restless.”

Familiar faces joining the cast include Rich Kimball, assistant principal at Brewer Middle School, who lists “The Odd Couple,” “The Fantasticks,” and last season’s “Spinning Into Butter” as some of his favorite shows. Kimball, who plays Julian in “Communicating Doors,” founded Brewer Youth Theatre, where he’s directed some 60 shows.

A.J. Mooney, recently seen in Penobscot Theatre’s production of “Falsettos,” joins the cast as Ruella. Mooney teaches theater and tap dance at the University of Maine, and has mentored students at Bangor area schools, the Maine Discovery Museum and Community Health and Counseling.

Rounding out the cast of “Communicating Doors” are two stars of last season’s hit production, “Almost, Maine.” Paul Rhyand, who also appeared in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” is back to portray Harold. Eric Clem, who also appeared in “Movie Geek,” returns to play Reece.

Scenic and costume design is by resident designer Lex Liang with lighting by Stephen Petrilli, who joins PTC after designing shows for New York’s Pearl Theater Company and the national Asian American Theatre Company.

Penobscot Theatre Company thanks corporate sponsors Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications, Spectrum Medical Group, Hampton Inn, and WLBZ News Center 2, Bangor Daily News, and KISS 94.5.

The Penobscot Theatre Company will present “Communicating Doors” at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 7-8, and Thursday, Feb. 15; at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9 and 16, and Saturday, Feb. 17; at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10; at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11; Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Bangor Opera House. For ticket information, call 942-3333 or (877) PTC-TIXX, or visit www.penobscottheatre.org.