Checking in at a Hotel of Hilarity at Conklin's

"Out of Order," a comedy by master farce writer Ray Cooney, opens a lseven-week run Thursday at Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre in Goodfield.

Bob Lane Jr., a favorite at Conklin's Barn II, stars in the play that runs Thursdays through Sundays from April 18 through June 7.

"Out of Order," from the author of such hits as "Run for Your Wife" and "Funny Money," is a wild and wacky ride through the Cooney universe, following the misadventures of U.S. Senator Richard Willey, who has checked in to the Capitol Hill Hotel for a tryst with Senate secretary Jane Worthington.

When Willey and Worthington they find a dead body on the ledge outside their window, things rapidly fall to pieces. Senator Willey calls in his meek assistant George Pigden to help deal with the body and still keep his attempted affair a secret from his own wife, the hotel staff and Jane's irate husband!

Heading up the company for this crazy show will be funny man and farce veteran Bob Lane, Jr. as Senator Willey. His suspicious wife Pamela is played by director Mary Simon, with Fred Heskett as George Pigden.

Also running in and out of the hotel suite and causing a myriad of comical complications are April Wyant as Jane, Dan Challacombe as the hotel waiter, Nathan Bottorff as the hotel manager, John Johnson as the body, Pat Gaik as Jane's husband Ronnie, Maria Lane as Gladys, and Diann Thompson as the hotel maid.

The production is directed by Simon, with set design by April Wyant.

Conklin's Barn II is known for its buffet that on evening performances includes four main entrees featuring prime rib and fried chicken, with salad, homemade soup and cheese spread, and a choice of four desserts. Prices for dinner and show are $33 on Thursday evening, $35 on Friday evening and Sunday brunch, and $37 on Saturday evening, including tax. No advance payment is required.

Conklin's is also BYOB for wine, beer or cocktails. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no extra charge.

For reservations, call the box office at 309-965-2545. For more information, visit the Barn on the internet at www.barn2.com.

The Barn also announced that auditions for the female version of Neil Simon's comedy "The Odd Couple," starring Lana Warner and Mary Simon, will be help Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Barn. Auditions will be for four additional women and two men over 21

Production dates for "The Odd Couple" are July 18 to August 25. Scripts and further information are available from the box office, (309) 965-2545.

About the Author

Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).