Maxine portrayed by Warren Shader meets old Florence portrayed by Jonni Moon in ‘Leading Ladies.’ Maxine otherwise known as Leo is impersonating Florence’s long-lost niece in order to inherit her fortune.
Douglas High School 2013 graduate Sean Bridges is directing his second production with the Brewery Arts Center “Leading Ladies,” showing weekends Jan. 26 through Feb. 4 in Carson City.
Written by Ken Ludwig, “Leading Ladies” unfolds the comedic entanglement of washed-up actors Leo and Jack who are so desperate for roles and money that they are performing “Scenes of Shakespeare” on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.
Their luck takes a turn when they land the role of a lifetime after hearing that old Florence of York is about to die and is searching for her long-lost nephews, Max and Steve, to inherit her fortune.
Leo and Jack decide to impersonate the nephews hoping to trick the old woman and bolt with the cash. Things get tricky when they discover that “Max” and “Steve” are actually “Maxine” and “Stephanie,” but continue with the plan undaunted.
“It’s one of the single funniest shows I have ever read and watched,” said Bridges. “And we have a spectacular cast.”
“Leading Ladies” is co-directed by Fredi Robin Springer, produced by Michon Chandler and features Carson Valley Community Theatre stars Warren Shader, Jennifer Hunt and CVCT’s Vice President Lucille Rao’s son, Thomas Rao. Other cast comes from Carson City and Reno, including Evelyn Mejia Ronquillos, Kevin Gallegos, Jonni Moon, Roman Barry and Ken McIntyre.
After seeing the show in Oregon when he was 15, Bridges said he knew he had to direct it someday.
“I like to think of myself as a funny person and I like to make other people laugh,” he said, “and after seeing ‘Leading Ladies’ the audience exploded with laughter, and I knew I wanted to direct it someday.”
Bridges said he has enjoyed the performing arts since as long as he can remember, growing inspiration from Jim Carrey and Steve Carell, and acting since he was 9 years old.
“It’s like nothing else in the world,” he said. “It’s like getting to witness a story unfold right in front of you. Or on the other side, being the one telling the story.”
Bridges was a Douglas High School drama student under the direction of Amy Sando his senior year at Douglas High School. He went on to the University of Nevada, Reno, where he received a bachelor of arts in 2016 and has performed with the Carson Valley Community Theater in the productions, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” in 2017, “The Underpants,” in 2018, and “Mousetrap” in 2019. He also directed “Barefoot in the Park” by Neil Simon with the Brewery Arts Center in 2022.
Bridges also made an appearance as the photographer in the 2019 cinema “The Mustang,” which was filmed at parts of the Carson City prison.
“Being in a movie was such a different experience,” said Bridges. “Seeing myself on a movie screen was surreal and transcendent.”
Though grateful for his shot on the big screen, he said he prefers theater, where things are more spontaneous.
“It requires a different set of skills,” he said. “You don’t have the luxury of special effects and retakes, you got to know your stuff.”
He said anyone who comes to see “Leading Ladies” will leave with their sides aching and happy they came.
“It’s just filled with screwball comedy, bad behavior and a world of laughter,” he said.
Opening night is 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Brewery Arts Center located at 449 West King St. in Carson City. Shows continue 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 4. General Admission is $27, and seniors and students are $22. Visit https://breweryarts.org/event/ppi-presents-leading-ladies/ for more information.
