Monday, January 16, 2012

Maureen Mansfield De-Lights as Dragon Lady

Maureen Mansfield as D.L. ("Dragon Lady") Hutchison
In Whose Wives Are They Anyway, Maureen Mansfield plays D.L. Hutchison, who she describes as “a type-A personality … a smart, self-assured woman who is ready to kick some butt when she takes over as President” of the Ashley Maureen Cosmetics Company.  To her new male subordinates, D.L. stands for “Dragon Lady” when she interjects her overbearing personality into their personal lives.  But make no mistake:  there is nothing Down Low about D.L.   She is right up front, in your face, and anything but shy when it comes to asserting herself and her opinions.

Maureen enjoys playing D.L. because the role puts her in the center of the action in this fast-paced farce.  “My biggest challenge is to play the ‘straight guy’.  My natural inclination is to try and make people laugh and I have to fight it for this role.  It's harder than I thought it would be!”  Always the boss, D.L. tries to influence the behavior of all those around her, even the reluctant honeymooners that she encourages to perform their marital “duties.” 

For years, Maureen has been busy behind the scenes of The Farmington Players on the casting committee, and now as a board member and our Director of House.  She also was the stage manager of Red White and Tuna and directed A Christmas Story.   Maureen's first show at the Farmington Players was Sylvia, directed by Dennis Broadhead, so when she heard that he was directing Whose Wives, she knew it was time  to return to the stage: “I haven't actually been on stage at the Barn since the new theater’s opening show, Present Laughter [in 2003].  Knowing that Dennis was directing was just the push I needed to audition. ... Dennis does a fabulous job with physical comedy.  He just knows what's funny. I've directed John Boufford and Geoff Wehner and they both have an incredible sense of comedic timing.”

Maureen also shared some interesting facts about the Whose Wives cast and crew, which contains: four current and three past board members; three past and one current Torchbearer; and at least nine directors or assistant directors.  With so much experience, Whose Wives is certain to De-Light audiences!

Whose Wives Are They Anyway? opens Friday February 17 and runs through Saturday March 3.  For tickets, go to www.farmingtonplayers.org or call the box office at 248-553-2955. Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players". 

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