Season opens with ‘angelic’ production
By Ashley Shah
Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT) kicks off its 2026-27 season with the production “Theatre People, or The Angel Next Door,” written by Paul Slade Smith and directed by Christopher Williams.
“The production is a fun, high energy comedy with farcical elements. Our characters are very real, but eccentric. There are references in the script to a farce, but there is not the typical running and slamming of doors,” director Williams said.
The production is set in the 1940s in Newport, Rhode Island.
The cast consists of six members.
Arthur and Charlotte Sanders, played by Danny Campbell and Melissa Fernandes, respectively, are two major Broadway playwrights. They have gathered at a mansion in Newport to view a concert.
“The Saunders have gathered at this mansion with their friend, Oliver Adams, who is writing a novel that they hope to produce into a play,” Williams said.
Oliver Adams, played by Kenny Bordieri, is a naive, young lover. He has written a novel called “The Angel Next Door,” that is about Broadway actress Margot Bell.
“Margot Bell, played by Taylor Henderson, is the stunning Broadway actress who will be performing at this concert,” Williams said.
Alongside Bell, Victor Pratt, another famous Broadway actor, will be performing at this concert.
“Pratt is referred to as the most handsome man on Broadway. He is very full of himself. There is actually a scene in the production where he gets distracted in a hallway of mirrors because he is looking at himself. He is clueless. There are a lot of references in the script to his idiocy,” Williams said.
Victor Pratt is played by John DeCarlo.
The last character is Olga, the maid, played by Sandy Campbell.
“Olga is the comedic relief. She is in stark contrast with the other characters. She gets involved with all of these characters,” Williams said.
The plot revolves around all of these characters staying in this mansion together, and we learn that some of the characters are not as they seem.
“There is a lot of chaos and misunderstanding that happens during the time in which all of the characters are staying in this mansion,” Williams said.
Williams described why this production was of interest to him.
“I love Paul Slade Smith’s writing. I have directed every other show of his. This show eluded me, but now I get to be a part of it,” he said. “I love the characters he creates. They are grounded in these insane situations. The language he uses in his scripts has such a rhythm to it; it is like music.”
The biggest challenge that Williams experienced while directing this production was the set.
“I think the space at SRT is always a challenge. How do we create a big set in that space? The layout is a challenge. However, we have a great set designer, Dixon Fish, who has done a great job of making this space work for this production,” he said.
“I want the audience to come and laugh at these crazy characters in insane situations,” Williams said. “This production is about following your dreams, and learning that when you do, you may find roadblocks. It’s about leaning on friends and family to get you through those roadblocks.”
The production will run from Aug. 27 to Sept. 20 on Alliant University’s campus. Tickets can be purchased through www.scrippsranchtheatre.org or at the box office.