Expect fun, laughter with fall mainstage ‘Red Herring’

24153

Fall Mainstage: “Red Herring”
Dates and times: Nov. 11, 12, 19 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 13, 20 (ASL interpreted) at 3 p.m.
Location: Goshen College Umble Center
Runtime: Two hours, with intermission
Cost: $10 general, $5 students/seniors/GC employees. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Welcome Center by contacting (574) 535-7566, welcomecenter@goshen.edu or online at www.goshen.edu/tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the Umble Center box office one hour before the show.


The Goshen College Theater Department will present Michael Hollinger’s “Red Herring” on Nov. 11, 12 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. in Goshen College’s Umble Center. 

Ian Keim (left), Lea Ramer (center) and Ben Meyer Reimer act in "Red Herring" (Photo by Katie McKinnell)
Ian Keim (left), Lea Ramer (center) and Ben Meyer Reimer act in “Red Herring” (Photo by Katie McKinnell)

Three love stories, a murder mystery and a nuclear espionage plot converge in this noir comedy about marriage and other explosive devices. It’s 1952: America’s on the verge of the H-bomb, Dwight Eisenhower’s on the campaign trail and I Love Lucy is on Monday nights. Meanwhile, Senator Joe McCarthy’s daughter just got engaged to a Soviet spy and Boston detective Maggie Pelletier has to find out who dumped the dead guy in the Harbor or else lose out on a honeymoon in Havana. A blunt nosed, sharp-eyed look at love and tying (and untying, and retying) the knot. In the end, love and laughter abound.

“In these heavy global and national times during the election season, it seemed fitting that this time we counter all that with just pure, light-hearted fun,” said Doug Liechty Caskey, professor of theater, producer and director. “We find ourselves laughing every night during rehearsals, because the comedy is that tried and true. But I have no doubt that audiences will thoroughly enjoy a laughter-filled performance.”

The Philadelphia Enquirer describes “Red Herring” as “exceedingly funny. A genuinely human comedy about six people in search of love in a mixed-up world. A thoroughly engaging piece of theatre.”

Nick Peebles and
Nick Peebles and Olivia Smucker

The cast for “Red Herring” includes Ian Keim, a first-year molecular biology/biochemistry major from Goshen; Lauren Myers, a first-year molecular biology/biochemistry major from North Manchester, Indiana; Nick Peebles, a senior theater major from Chicago; Lea Ramer, a senior social work major from Fort Collins, Colorado; Ben Reimer, a sophomore theater major from Goshen; and Olivia Smucker, a first-year undecided major from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Doug Liechty Caskey, professor of theater, is producer and director. The production team includes Andrew Moeggenborg, assistant professor of theater, technical director and set designer; Sandy Slabaugh, production assistant; Ben Reimer, assistant technical director; Riley Woods, stage manager and master electrician; Rachel Buckley, assistant stage manager, props crew; Cristina Jantz, assistant stage manager, props crew; Jonah Yoder, assistant stage manager; Nick Peebles, master carpenter; Tabitha Immanuel, light designer; Zach Ganger, light designer; Lukas Thompson, light designer; Samantha Horsch, sound designer; Claire Mitchel, props designer; Morgan Yordy, hair and makeup designer; Mary Seeck, costume shop manager.

Umble Center is accessible to wheelchairs and people with other physical limitations. American Sign Language interpretation will be offered during the Sunday, Nov. 20 performance of the play.

Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors, and can be purchased in advance through the Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566, emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu or online at www.goshen.edu/tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at the Umble Center Box Office one hour before the show.