Everybody hates the tax man. Or do they?
You’ll have to wait to find out in the Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s production of Love, Sex and the IRS.
This modern day American farce takes place in New York City, where two young men, Jon and Leslie, share an apartment. The out-of-work musicians don’t have much money between them, so Jon has been doing both of their taxes. In order to save money, Jon has also been claiming Leslie as his wife.
But now the tax inspector has come snooping around and wants to meet the lovely lady. So, Leslie has no choice but to dress up as a woman. This, though, is not the pair’s only problem.
They have to avoid the custodian of the building when Leslie turns into a woman because the building manager doesn’t allow unwed couples to live together.
In addition to that, Jon’s fiancé Kate has been having an affair with Leslie. Cue Jon’s mother, who has flown to New York unexpectedly to meet the bride-to-be and organize the wedding. At the same time, Leslie’s girlfriend shows up to sort out their relationship.
Then, in a panic, the tax inspector is invited to dinner, where Leslie serves up Mung Chowder Gumbo, a fictional dish consisting of tuna, molasses, custard, vinegar and cream. An absolute disaster.
Originally written in 1978, director Ellie King had to make some minor alterations to bing it into the present day.
“I had to do a little bit of editing because the stuff from 1978 doesn’t play now. Like there’s a line in there about burning your draft card and things like that,” said King
This is the sixth show at the ACT for the theatre group, which prides itself on high production value and use of local talent.
Royal Canadian is known for comedies and thrillers.
“We believe in giving new talent an opportunity,” said King.
“We have three grads from Capilano University – one from the film acting program and two from the stage and musical theatre acting program. Our stage manager also is a grad from the Capilano music program,” she said.
Love, Sex and the IRS is the last of the series at the ACT.
Next season, starting in October and running until March, the company will be presenting a family friendly Halloween spoof called It was a Dark and Stormy Night, followed by Beauty and the Beast, and finishing with Opening Night, by Canadian playwright Norm Foster.
Auditions for Opening Night and Beauty and the Beast will be held in May.
The company also offers opportunities for youth to learn the basics of singing, dancing and acting, free of charge.
“We make all their costumes, we rent all the performance spaces, we rent all the rehearsal spaces and its completely free to them. All we ask is that they join the society and it’s 10 bucks for insurance purposes,” said King, explaining that theatre can help children deal with external issues like anxiety and bring them out of their shells.
Love, Sex and the IRS plays March 10-12 at 8 p.m., with an extra showing at 3 p.m. on March 12 only, at the ACT, 11944 Haney Place, downtown Maple Ridge.
General admission is $28, seniors and under 14 are $18, a family pack of four tickets for $85, groups of 10 or more for $15 each and groups of 20 or more for $10 each.
Tickets for the new season will also be on sale.
• For more information about the theatre company, go to rctheatreco.com.
To purchase tickets, call 604-467-2787 or go to theactmapleridge.org.