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Irish-Catholic family comedy up next at Loft Theatre

Cecily Dowd (standing) with (left to right) Lizzie Huelskamp, Jason Podplesky, Christine Brunner, and Mierka Girten. They are the cast of the Human Race Theatre Company production of "The Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help," slated April 14-May 1 at the Loft Theatre. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUMAN RACE THEATRE

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Cecily Dowd (standing) with (left to right) Lizzie Huelskamp, Jason Podplesky, Christine Brunner, and Mierka Girten. They are the cast of the Human Race Theatre Company production of "The Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help," slated April 14-May 1 at the Loft Theatre. PHOTO COURTESY OF HUMAN RACE THEATRE
What to Know
By
March 28, 2022
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Seattle playwright Katie Forgette’s nostalgic comedy “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help” will receive its local premiere April 14-May 1 courtesy of the Human Race Theatre Company at the Loft Theatre.

Set in 1973, the play concerns the cash-strapped, Irish-Catholic O’Sheas, trying to make ends meet while coping with a school scandal. When 19-year-old Linda O’Shea, the narrator, attempts to re-enact the most turbulent day of her life, she recalls an “incident” that occurred when the family’s overbearing priest, Father Lovett, overhears a conversation between her and her sister about puberty.

Staged by New York-based director Margarett Perry, the play features Dayton native Cecily Dowd as Linda, Christine Brunner as hardworking mom Josephine “Jo” Shea, Mierkta Girten as liberal Aunt Theresa “Terri” O’Shea, Jason Podplesky in multiple roles including the patriarch Mike O’Shea and the aforementioned Father Lovett, and Columbus native Lizzie Huelskamp, making her Human Race debut as younger sister, Becky O’Shea.

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Perry’s creative team includes scenic designer Eric Moore, lighting designer John Rensel, costumer Janet G. Powell, sound designer Julian Crocamo, and stage manager Jacquelyn Duncan.

Special performances:

Pay What You CAN: Wed. Apr. 13 at 8 p.m. - benefits The Foodbank and Project Hope.

Sawbuck Sunday: Sun. Apr. 17 at 7 p.m. - $10 tickets available. 5:30 p.m. at the door.

While We’re On the Subject: Sun. Apr. 24 - audience discussion follows 2 p.m. matinee.

For tickets or more information, call 937-228-3630 or visit humanracetheatre.org.

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About the Author

Russell Florence Jr. is team leader/coordinator of Lifestyles/Dayton.com. He has been an arts/lifestyles reporter for Dayton Daily News since 2012. He formerly served on the Dayton Daily News Community Board of Contributors and assisted the Dayton Daily News Editorial Board. He received his BA in mass communications from Wright State University.