La Crosse, Wis.,—The UW-La Crosse Department of Theatre Arts presents the Tony Award-winning comedy, One Man, Two Guvnors, a hilarious blend of satire, slapstick and mistaken identities.

It’s 1963 in Brighton, England and Francis Henshall has just been fired from his skiffle band. However, in order to fill his painfully empty stomach, Francis finds himself employed by small-time gangster, Roscoe Crabbe. Except you need to know that Roscoe isn’t Roscoe but Rachel, his twin sister in disguise. The real Roscoe was killed by Rachel’s beloved, Stanley Stubbers, who also decides to hire Francis (unbeknownst to Rachel). Fighting a mountain of confusion and a parade of colorful characters, Francis goes out of his way to secretly serve both bosses in this blissfully funny celebration of British mischief.

Junior Theatre Performance major, Maxwell Emmett Ward, stars as the show’s outlandish leading man. You might recognize him as the hilarious sidekick Cosmo Brown in UW-L’s sell-out, Singin’ in the Rain. His current role of Francis was first originated and popularized by the host of the Late Late Show, James Corden, on Broadway in 2011.

Ward is one of many characters who are taking on the physical challenges presented in the script such as falling down stairs, tumbling over furniture, and getting a punch straight to the face.

“It’s a type of humor that we don’t really get exposed to…it’s slapstick. It’s back to the stuff we found funny as kids.” Ward said.

However, physical comedy isn’t the only thing unique to this production. It also involves the use of a live skiffle band and a heck of a lot of audience interaction. Those in attendance should prepare themselves for a night of entertaining music, larger than life characters, and perhaps an invitation to the stage.

In trying to explain why people should buy tickets to this production, Ward puts it simply:

“If you want to laugh until you cry at the theatre….this is the show.”

Richard Bean’s worldwide smash hit, One Man, Two Guvnors, will play at 7:30 p.m. April 22-23 and April 28-30 with matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on April 24 and May 1 in Toland Theatre in the Center for the Arts at 16th and Vine streets.

Tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 18.  Box office hours are 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays, and one hour before show times.  Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior/non UWL students and $5 for UW-L students; call (608) 785-8522.  

—UW-L—

If you go—

Who:    University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Department of Theatre Arts

What:  One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean

Where: Toland Theatre, located on 16th and Vine streets.

When:  April 22-23 & 28-30 at 7:30 p.m. and April 24 & May 1 at 2:00 p.m.

Admission: $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and non-UWL students, $5 UW-L students; call (608) 785-8522. Tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. Monday, April 18.  Box office hours are 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Saturdays, and one hour before show times.

Cast: Alexis Dreyer, Olivia Dubiel, Erin Gassner, Morgan Gates, Mitchell Gray, Andrew Helman, Colton Janz, Sarah Lambert, Aamer Mian, Megan Miller, Kelsey Norton, Beth Ryan, Alex Taylor, Devin Vogel, Maxwell Ward, Julia Whalen