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‘Sidekicked’ to open the Cabaret for 59th season at Millbrook Playhouse

MILL HALL — A powerful “one-broad” comedy about the Ethel Mertz no one ever knew kicks off Millbrook Playhouse’s 2022 season.

After the pandemic shuttered the Cabaret completely last summer, Producing Artistic Director David Leidholdt invites theatergoers back to the Cabaret for “Sidekicked,” leading off Millbrook’s 59th season.

This comedy, which vividly relives all, has 7:30 p.m. performances on June 3-4, 8-11, with 2 p.m. matinees on June 5, 8 and 12 at the playhouse, 258 Country Club Lane, Mill Hall.

Penned by Kim Powers, “Sidekicked” finds Vivian Vance as “America’s most beloved neighbor” Ether Mertz alone in her dressing room on the final night of filming of the vastly popular “I Love Lucy” TV show in March, 1960.

Leidholdt welomes back to the old barn theater stage Shannon Agnew, who plays Ethel Mertz.

The multi-talented Agnew has been named an “artistic associate” in Millbrook’s previous seasons.

A freelance director and theatrical artist based in New York,

Agnew is always a welcomed addition to the Millbrook family, according to Leidholdt.

In this leadoff attraction, the veteran actress Agnew brings her robust acting style to “Sidesicked,” portraying the housecoat — wearing sidekick to America’s favorite sit-com star Lucille Ball.

Now, however, Ethel Mertz has a lot to get off her chest. This means Vance sending an SOS to her long-time analyst: “Help me understand who I really am before I’m stuck being Ethel Mertz.”

Now with a somewhat shortened 2022 season, Leidholdt, who directs “Sidekicked,” is hopeful that theatergoers will return to the Cabaret.

Lidholdt assures potential patrons that “Sidekicked” is not only a tour-de-force for Shannon Agnew, but that the show will take Vivian “… and the audience through both the heights of hilarity and heartbreak.”

For tickets and reservations, call 570-748-8083 or visit info@millbrookplayhouse.org

Starting at $2.99/week.

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