Thursday, 28 March 2024

‘Romantic Fools’ to be performed in February

Barbara Clark and John Tomlinson in a production of “Romantic Fools” 10 years ago. Photo by Craig Eve.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — This Valentine's Day there is something romantic happening.

Here's the story: about 10 years ago, a young theater couple decided to put on a play together.

That play is “Romantic Fools” by Rich Orloff.

It is about a couple that searches for love, finds each other and settles in together to get married. It was the actors' exact story, except for, at the time, the marriage.

Now, 10 years later, the couple, Barbara Clark and John Tomlinson, are married for three years now.

“Romantic Fools” was the first play presented by their shared production company, New Vintage Productions.

With 10 years of perspective to reflect upon, they are ready to bring the show back.

“It's a fun, funny show, with a little bit of romance in time for Valentine's Day,” Tomlinson said.

The story focuses on Lori (Barbara Clark) and Andrew (John Tomlinson), two singles who relate the struggles of single life through a series of scenes.

Each is able to take on different characters in the vignettes that show blind dates, and even imagined dates, until the two finally meet at the end of the first act.

The second act has scenes of the two figuring each other out and how to make it work.

“When we first did this, in many ways we were just like Andrew and Lori when they first met. Now we feel like we have lived their lives and get to do the play again,” said Clark.

The production also marks the directing debut of Tiffany Harz for New Vintage Productions. She has been involved with the company before with “A Night at the Speakeasy.”

Audiences may also recognize her from her appearances on stage with Shakespeare at the Lake, a Lake County Theatre Co. and Mendocino College co-production.

Harz said, “I am very excited about this play! It has been such a pleasure to work with John and Barbara; they are such talented and funny actors. I cannot wait for an audience to enjoy it as much as I have.”

The play has mature themes, and is recommended for adult audiences. Still, the production team believes it is tastefully done.

“I mean it's not obscene, however it does discuss things that happen between men and women, and, well … what do you discuss between men and women?” Clark commented jokingly.

When asked what it would be like to bring back this show, Tomlinson said, “We are super excited. We've grown so much as actors, and so much as people, that it's really exciting to get to reflect on a piece that we did when we were so youthful and hopeful. And we're trying to recapture some of that now, and we hope you'll come check it out.”

“Romantic Fools” by Rich Orloff will be performed Feb. 10 to 12 at the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum, and Feb. 17 to 19 at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

Fridays and Saturdays shows are at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

For more information call John Tomlinson at 707-355-2211.

Upcoming Calendar

28Mar
03.28.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Vision resource group
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

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