Medford Area Community Theatre presents ‘Fox on the Fairway’

The Medford Area Community Theatre is proud to present their latest production, “The Fox on the Fairway” by Ken Ludwig. Set amid the lush rolling greens of Quail Valley Country Club, Ken Ludwig’s “The Fox on the Fairway” unfolds on the day Quail Valley faces its oldest rival, nearby Crouching Squirrel Golf and Racquet Club, for the golf tournament of the decade. Battle lines are drawn when the two clubs, like Greece and Troy, assemble their bravest heroes and play on to the final, madcap putt on an 18th hole that is the stuff of legend.

The plot follows Henry Bingham (Al Leonard), the Quail Valley Golf and Country Club president who is determined to win the club’s annual golf tournament after losing to rival club Crouching Squirrel for the last five years. Things look up when he discovers his assistant, Justin Hicks (Joe Scott) is a golf prodigy; however, drama between Justin and his fiancée, Louise (Veronica Mahner), threatens to throw Justin off his game. Hijinks ensue when attempts to calm the feuding couple by Bingham and club board member Pamela (Stacy Leonard) only make things worse. In addition, Bingham must also contend with his rival, Dickie Bell (Doug Gasek) and unhappy, forceful wife Muriel (Kaitlyn Huls).

Al Leonard said his character is someone who wants to be a big shot but is not quite there and who is excessively wordy in anything he says. For Leonard, the fun of the theater production is in working with a different group of people than he normally would be with. Of course, sharing the stage with his wife, Stacy.

“She is not the wholesome kindergarten teacher type,” Stacy said describing her character in the play, saying she is “colorful” and strives to be professional and distinguished, but doesn’t always make it. She said it is fun to be part of the production and with the cast. “There is always lots of laughter for strange reasons,” she said.

Doug Gasek is new to the Medford Area Community Theatre stage. He described his character as being brash, loudmouthed and something of a jerk. He said what he enjoys about the play is that it is fast paced and just fun overall.

Joe Scott plays the golf prodigy who appears ready to lift Quail Valley Country Club to victory, but who is also something of a goofball. “I am a little bit of a doofus,” Scott said of his character. Scott, a regular on the Medford Area Community Theater stage, said he always enjoys working with the cast on each production and getting to know them.

“She is kind of a battle axe,” Kaitlyn Huls said of her character Muriel. Muriel is the wife of Henry Bingham and runs an antique business. She is also very into World War I history and Huls noted that WWI buffs would especially pick up on some of the historical jokes. Huls said she enjoys the opportunity to see some of her teaching co-workers over the summer and working with them in the cast.

There is a timeless quality to “A Fox on the Fairway.” While Ken Ludwig’s script is set in the present day, there is little about it that feels modern. Its overthe- top plot twists, physical comedy and characters who wink-wink-nudge-nudge at the audience bring to mind classic farces like Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” or any great “I Love Lucy” episode.

“The Fox on the Fairway” is an entertaining show, perfect for anyone looking to laugh during a night out. It should be noted that there is a fair amount of sexual humor in the script. It’s not overly crude, but it is recommended that you leave the preteen kids at home. For everyone else, though, it’s sure to be an unforgettable time.

ea The Medford Area Community Theatre will perform Ken Ludwig’s “The Fox on the Fairway, Thursday, July 14, Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 in the Red White Theatre of the Medford Area Senior High School. Curtain time each night at 7:00 P.M. Advance reserve tickets $10, at the door $12. Advance tickets available at Star News in downtown Medford.

— Brian Wilson, News Editor