STHS Performing Arts Presents 'The Royal Family'

South Tahoe High Performing Arts Department presents The Royal Family, a comedy by George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber. Show dates are Friday, March 30 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 31 at 7p.m. and Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m.
The Royal Family opened in New York City in 1927 and quickly became an enduring favorite. The story is a parody of Drew Barrymore’s great-grandparents, the Barrymore family of Broadway fame. Like the Barrymores, the Cavendish clan is dedicated to theatre. But, for all their eccentricities and inflated emotions, the Cavendish clan is a family like any other.
There is the matriarch, Fanny, played by Anna Ripoli, holding the family together with an iron will; her daughter Julie, the prima donna Broadway star, played by Courtney Reece; the ostentatious brother, Tony, played by Alec Niven and Julie’s conflicted daughter, Gwen, played by Kori Zwijacz. Jack Percival plays Herbert Dean the cash strapped uncle with Melissa Tribble as Kitty, his conniving wife. And the “honorary” family member is their agent Wolfe, played by Emery Mulligan.

A variety of other characters become entwined in the antics of the various family members. We can all delight in these zany, larger than life personalities even as we sympathize with their very real struggles.
Being part of such a dynasty grants them privilege and comfort, but along with this sense of entitlement comes the responsibility to carry on their legacy.
The Royal Family endures because of what the story so eloquently conveys about family and devotion, choices in life, and happiness. To Fanny Cavendish and her clan, carrying on the family tradition trumps all other impulses and desires. All that matters is carrying on, in every way. After all, the show must go on! Nannette Niven directs this three-act comedy with set design and construction by Drake Niven.
All performances will be in the new Viking Theatre in the Tahoe Arts & Design Academy at South Tahoe High School. Ticket prices are $10 General Admission, $5 student, free with super ASB card. Students age six and older will enjoy this play. The box office opens at 6:00 p.m. Information regarding advanced ticket sales will be posted one week prior to the show at www.ltusd.org.

Location