‘The Underpants’ comedy to open on Friday

The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre will stage “The Underpants,” a comedy written by Steve Martin and Carl Sternheim and directed by Kris McMurray, opening May 18 and continuing through June 23.

The story: Theo Maske has an unusual problem, his wife’s underpants won't stay on. One Sunday morning they fall to her ankles right in the middle of town — a public scandal. Mortified, Theo swears to keep her at home until she can find some less unruly undies.

Amid this chaos, two infatuated men, a dapper poet and a whiny hypochondriac want to rent the spare room in the Markes' home. Oblivious of their amorous objectives, Theo splits the room between them. In which the prospective lodgers now have some underlying surprises of their own.

Don't get caught with your pants down. Especially not your underpants. The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre kicks off its 21 year anniversary season with this rollicking farce, “The Underpants,” by Carl Sternheim, adapted by legendary comedian Steve Martin with a dynamic cast led by director/artistic owner Kris McMurray. The cast features the talents of, Ashley Ayala as Louise Maske, Rick Bennett as Theobald Maske, Barbara Horan as Gertrude Deuter, Russell Fish as Frank Versati, James J Moran as Benjamin Cohen, and Dave Wall as Klinglehoff.

As an actor, comedian, author, playwright, screenwriter, producer and musician — Steve Martin is one of the most diversified performers and acclaimed artists of his generation. Martin has been successful as a writer of and performer in some of the most popular movies of recent film history — appearing in more than 50 films over the course of his career. With titles such as “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Parenthood,” “Father of the Bride” and “Cheaper by the Dozen” franchises, “Baby Mama” and “It’s Complicated.” Martin wrote the screenplays for some of his most celebrated films including “The Jerk,” “Roxanne,” “Bowfinger,” “L.A. Story” and “Shopgirl.” Martin’s work has earned him an Academy Award®, five Grammy® awards, an Emmy®, the Mark Twain Award, an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors. He has also hosted the Academy Awards® three times. Martin shone as a stand-up on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, made appearances on HBO’s On Location and NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and became the first comedian to sell out an arena performance As an author, Martin’s work includes the novel “An Object of Beauty,” the play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a collection of comic pieces, “Pure Drivel,” a bestselling novella, “Shopgirl,” and his memoir “Born Standing Up.”

The Underpants runs every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., May 18-June 23.There are no performances May 25-26 due to the Memorial Day Weekend. Doors open at 7:15 p.m.. Tickets are now on sale. Tickets are $34; to purchase tickets, call the box office at 860-829-1248. Reservations are recommended.

For more information, visit www.ctcabaret.com The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre is located at 31 Webster Square Road,Visit the website for detailed directions. The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre is Central Connecticut premiere cabaret-style theatre, patrons are welcome to bring whatever they like to eat or drink with them.

Ayala