British comedy comes to Verona's Oak Grove Theater | Arts And Entertainment

VERONA — The cast of Oak Grove Theater’s first play of its 73rd season includes some of the usual suspects of local community theater, including Amanda Rogus, Justin Guidroz, and Emily Girard. 

In fact, Girard and Rogus recently worked together on another play produced by The Wayne Theatre, Neil Simon's "45 Seconds from Broadway" which was performed at Blue Ridge Community College’s Black Box Theatre in April. 

But in that play, Girard directed, and Rogus was part of the cast. In this play, a farce called “No Sex Please, We’re British,” the two are on the stage together, this time in a scenic outdoor summer theater venue surrounded by oak trees. 

Rogus plays Frances Hunter, who is newly married to Peter Hunter, and Girard plays Peter’s mother, Eleanor. 

While Eleanor is trying to socialize with Peter’s boss, Frances, Peter, and a colleague of Peter's are trying to sort out a misunderstanding over a package containing illicit material that they didn’t order but can’t seem to quickly get rid of in a situation that humorously and quickly spirals out of control. 

Not only are Rogus and Girard familiar with each other, but so are Rogus and Guidroz. Both attended Mary Baldwin University in Staunton around the same time: she for graduate school and he as an undergraduate. They also acted together in a previous production, “The Taming of the Shrew,” at The Kettle in Staunton, and the two have been friends for 10 years.  

“Part of me was really put at ease when I realized it was going to be Amanda,” said Guidroz, 34, of Staunton. “We have a good relationship, we’re really good friends, and we feel really safe with each other.” 

This comedy, directed by Morgan Smith, kicks off the outdoor theater’s summer season. 

“We always open with a comedy, and then we have a musical, we have a mystery, and then a traditional ,” Smith said. “We like to open and close with a comedy.”                      

Smith, of Fishersville, is familiar with both Oak Grove Theater and the play, having acted in it herself 23 years ago. Oak Grove Theater was founded in 1946 by Mary Baldwin Theater Professor Fletcher Collins and his wife, Margaret Collins, on their farm. 

Smith, 48, who is originally from Louisa, got involved at Oak Grove herself while a theater major at Mary Baldwin, and she’s stayed involved because she loves theater. 

“Theater is my passion,” she said. “I can’t imagine not doing it.”

While many of the actors in the show are part of the local community, some, like Rogus, 31, of Waynesboro, are new to the Oak Grove stage. But Rogus has done outdoor theater before including summer Shakespeare in the Park out of state.  

“I have always loved outdoor theater,” she said. 

Rogus, who loves British culture, said she enjoys being a comedic actor. 

“I actually think that one of the greatest sounds that you get from an audience is true human laughter,” she said. 

Rogus said she enjoys doing this show and believes that audiences will enjoy it as well. 

“We have so much fun doing this show,” she said. “It’s a whimsical show.” 

While Rogus said that she feels at home with farcical comedy, Guidroz said that doing this type of comedy is a challenge for him. 

“It’s a little bit out of my usual wheelhouse,” he said. “I don’t usually do farce comedy.” 

Guidroz said he's willing to take the risk because he has previously collaborated with Smith as director, and she entrusted him with the part. 

“I’m doing my best with this role, and I’ve had a really good time with it,” he said. 

When actors audition for Oak Grove, they audition for the season, meaning some actors, like Girard, are featured in more than one show. 

“Emily is in the first show, the third show, and then she’s directing the fifth,” Smith said. 

The third show, “A Murder is Announced,” is an Agatha Christie mystery, and the fifth show, “The Outsider,” by Paul Slade Smith, is also a farce. 

The second show, “Come From Away,” is a musical about 9/11.

“It is the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and the show is about all the planes that were sent to Gander, Newfoundland,” Smith said. 

The fourth show, “Terms of Endearment,” is based on the Larry McMurtry novel and the Oscar-winning film by James L. Brooks of the same name. The film version “Terms of Endearment” famously starred Shirley MacLaine, Jack Nicholson, and Debra Winger. MacLaine played Aurora Greenway, Nicholson played Aurora’s retired astronaut neighbor, and Winger played MacLaine’s daughter, Emma. 

Smith said that she and the show’s producer, Elizabeth Needham Bruce, have long wanted to do this play, “No Sex Please, We’re British,” because “It’s a good show, and it’s very funny.” 

But this year in particular, there was an added reason, she said. They wanted to honor graphic designer and University of Virginia graduate Mike Vayvada, who passed away last year. In a previous production of the play, Vayvada, who was active in local community theater, played Brian Runnicles, the unlucky recipient of the unexpectedly troublesome package.             

Oak Grove’s season usually starts around the end of May, and shows are held for a week rain or shine, unless there is lightning. If there is just rain, an abbreviated version of the play can be done under a pavilion, Smith said. 

All plays at Oak Grove Theater open on Thursday nights at 8:45 p.m. and have a seven-consecutive-night run. “No Sex Please, We’re British” opens Thursday and runs through Wednesday. 

The evening time is purposeful, Smith said.  

“It’s a tradition to have a night in the woods,” she said.

Attendees include many returning audience members. 

“A lot of our subscribers, they’ve been coming here for 30, 40 years,” she said. 

Many of the actors are also repeat performers at the theater. 

“I love auditioning for Oak Grove,” said Guidroz. “It’s one of my favorite theater venues in Virginia. I look forward to participating every year whenever I get a chance.” 

Guidroz said he appreciates the artistic community that the theater fosters as well as the space itself. 

“I also just love the venue itself,” he said. “I love how it’s outside. It’s very serene to me. I think it’s very beautiful. It kind of strips away a lot of the artifice of theater that I’m used to doing, and it kind of presents bare bones on the stage.”  

Seasonal tickets for all five shows can be purchased for $60 on Oak Grove Theater’s website, oakgrovetheater.org. Individual tickets for out-of-towners can be purchased for $20 a show at the show. 

Some local theater companies and schools sell concessions at their shows to benefit their theater programs, Smith said. But you can also bring your own food.  

Guidroz said he thinks that the play will appeal to anyone who likes fast-paced comedy, and Rogus said that she is looking forward to seeing the other shows and supporting other members of the local theater community. 

“I think it’s going to be a really great season,” she said.