Great fun is in the offing this holiday season as romance and adventure collide head-on in the Poplar Pike Playhouse’s latest production, The Beaux’ Stratagem. This classic comedy will open on December 4th and run through December 13th.

            The plot begins on a familiar note. After squandering their fortunes, young Tom Aimwell and Jack Archer seek refuge in the countryside, hoping to find two ladies of status and fortune to marry and live the easy life. The show takes some wild twists and turns when true love and a band of thieves complicate their scheming. Considered one of the great English comedies of all time, this totally new and contemporary adaptation of The Beaux' Stratagem by George Farquhar, has been updated by Thornton Wilder (Our Town) and Ken Ludwig (Crazy for You and Lend Me A Tenor).

            The cast of The Beaux’ Stratagem includes Melanie Culhane, Kyle Dutton, Marcos Espinosa, Hamid Farzam, Brittany Flaherty, Sarah Gray, A.J. Heinz, Kayla Higgenbottom, Paris Higgins, Paul Hoover, Walker Hutsell, Meredith Lesley, Julie Marshall, Cooper McKelroy, Grace Pandola, Natorria Ross, Devante Scott, Anna Sharp, Matt Sloan, Remy Terle and Marinela Zubovic.

            The Beux’ Stratagem is directed by Patrick Ashcraft and Kirie Walz. The scenic designer is Lee Williams. The costume designers are Ashley Burns and Samantha Sherry. Jack House and Joe Speck are the technical directors. Courtney Smith is the properties coordinator. The house coordinator is Allison Rogers and the business manager is Lee Driver. E. Frank Bluestein is the producing director.

            The corporate sponsor for this production is Germantown Association, Inc.; Board of Directors members are Paul Cardelli, Bobby Lanier, Thane Smith and George Walters.

            The Beaux’ Stratagem opens at the Poplar Pike Playhouse on December 4th and runs through December 13th. Tickets are $17 for adults and $14 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now.

            The Poplar Pike Arts Guild, the support group for the Playhouse, will sponsor an opening night benefit on Thursday night, December 4th. The price for this special performance and reception is $18 per person.

            The Poplar Pike Playhouse is the theatre complex located on the campus of Germantown High School. Reservations for tickets can be made by calling the Poplar Pike Playhouse Box Office at (901) 755-7775 between 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Blocks of tickets are available at reduced rates for school groups and theatre parties. All ticket purchases also can be made by going online to www.ppp.org.