By Shawn Maus for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT)
Stage Right Musical Theater Company’s production of An Evening of Culture is an absolute hoot—and a love letter to every community theatre misfire that ever dared to dream big. With strong direction by John Siedenberg II and a cast that knows how to share a stage and a punchline, this play-within-a-play captures everything we love about local theater: big heart, bold choices, and brilliant, chaotic comedy.
Like “Waiting for Guffman,” but With Leopard Print Tights
If you loved the film Waiting for Guffman, this show is right up your alley. The characters in An Evening of Culture pour their hearts and souls into a “quality” production of Romeo and Juliet… that goes wrong in every possible way. And it’s all done with such sincerity, you can’t help but laugh—and laugh hard. I laughed out loud all the way through, and when I wasn’t busting a gut, I was grinning large and wide.
A Cast That Knows Comedy is a Team Sport
This ensemble deserves a standing ovation for their chemistry. The script offers plenty of room for upstaging, but this cast shares the spotlight generously, enhancing each other’s moments with precise timing and shared joy.
Mary Vosseberg is a tour-de-force as the prima donna Mildred Carson. With sweeping arms, killer side-eyes, and deliciously overblown “stage whispers,” she adds rich comedic texture to every scene. She enhances the action without overpowering it (though let’s be honest, Mildred would love to steal every scene).
Donald Washington’s carpenter Delbert Fink brings a Barney Fife-level of befuddled charm to the handyman-turned-stagehand. He’s constantly tasked with everything from flipping the lights to closing the curtain. He somehow remains loveable while the whole set (and play) crumbles around him.
Jacob Siedenberg as Bubba Bedford/Romeo delivers slapstick genius, especially opposite Vosseberg’s Juliet. The two embody rural community-theater chaos so well, they could join the pantheon of legendary comedy duos.
Kelli Jo Summers channels Ruth Buzzi meets Carol Burnett as Naomi Louise Farkle Carson. She’s all fluster, flair, and wild wigs. She’s trying to costume the show, conquer her stage fright, and live out her dream of being the backbone of the arts in Mineola.
Zachary Simpson is perfectly awkward as Luther Carson, the cute-boy-in-waiting who accidentally ends up performing Shakespeare in leopard print tights. (Yes, really! Luther, that’s what you get for leaving your costume at home.)He’s a lovable mix of teenage hormones and cowboy cluelessness.
Emily Lamping’s Namoi Louise Farkle Carson, Avon rep turned cultural pillar, could sell eyeshadow or iambic pentameter with equal charm. Her comedic timing and subtle double takes are worth watching closely.
Karli Smith brings ferocity and sass as Faye McFaye, a recently dumped nurse whose idea of revenge may or may not involve Shakespeare and pixie dust. Smith commands the stage with just the right dose of “don’t mess with me” Southern grit.
Ashley Phillips plays Violet Farkle with true heart. She desperately wrangles her band of misfit thespians while clinging to the romantic ideal of Romeo and Juliet. Phillips delivers a nuanced performance grounded in love for the theatre, even when everything’s going up in (hilarious) flames.
Set and Sound That Steal Scenes
The set design is a brilliant parody of community theater itself. Muslin backdrops ripple, flats collapse (on cue!), and every bolt and nail is part of the joke. The attention to detail is perfection—right down to the exaggerated “product placement” that doesn’t distract but enhances the chaos.
And the sound design deserves its own curtain call. From the local Mineola radio commercials during pre-show to the hammering and sawing during intermission (yes, they’re still trying to finish the set), the audio cues are smart, funny, and deeply immersive. Plus, the “updated” nods to Nino Rota’s 1968 Romeo and Juliet film score add an unexpectedly sweet—and ironically dramatic—touch.
OVERALL Shawn Says:
An Evening of Culture is a beautifully chaotic slice of small-town theatre at its finest. With sharp comic performances, inside-joke set gags, and a cast that truly knows how to play together, this show is as heartwarming as it is hilarious. Whether you’ve done community theatre (or even any theatre) or just love watching the wheels fall off (gracefully), this production is a must-see. So grab your seat, stifle your stage fright, and enjoy every ridiculous, riotous moment.
Get Tickets to An Evening of Culture
An Evening of Culture runs July 11-20, 2025 at Stage Right Musical Theater Company, in Williamstown, KY. Get tickets at StageRightMTC.org
