Cortland Repertory Theatre Presents the Chilly Dark Comedy “The Smell of the Kill”

Golf balls fly, plates smash and “game hunting” takes on new meaning in Cortland Repertory Theatre’s next production, the hysterical comedy “The Smell of the Kill”.  Written by Michele Lowe, this contemporary play makes its CRT debut as the fifth show of the theatre’s 40^th Anniversary season, and stars three talented actresses familiar to the CRT audience.

Performances of CRT’s “The Smell of the Kill” (which is a one act play) will run from August 17 – 27 with evening performances at 7:30.  Matinees are available on August 19, 21 and 24 at 2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or in person at the CRT Box Office at 37 Franklin Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website atwww.cortlandrep.org. The show is recommended for mature audiences, and due to its popularity, some performances are already close to being sold out.

In a wealthy, suburbanite kitchen, Nicky, Debra and Molly are three “desperate housewives” who don’t much care for each other, but have tolerated once-a-month group dinners with their “weekend warrior” husbands for years.  As the women clean the kitchen after dinner, the unseen, but still very verbal men practice their golf game in the dining room and brag about their latest kill in a deer hunting weekend.  Unexpectedly, the gossiping women reveal to each other that all of their marriages are on the brink of disaster. When a shocking freak accident occurs involving the men and a walk-in basement meat locker, the women are faced with a life-changing decision. While the clock ticks precious seconds away, the laughs roll out as the women argue, spill secrets and dodge golf balls in this uniquely hilarious comedy.

Tony Capone directs, whose previous CRT credits include last summer’s hit “Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web”, as well as “I Hate Hamlet”, “Leading Ladies” and “Ten Little Indians”.  Stage Manager Eric Behnke also serves as Lighting Designer, and leads the production staff which includes Scenic Designer Jonathan Wentz in his CRT debut, Costume Designer Jimmy Johansmeyer, Sound Designer David Huber and Props Mistress Danielle Hodgins. Tracy Hoida continues as Assistant Stage Manager as does Technical Director Patrick McGovern.

All three actresses have wowed audiences in previous CRT productions.  Charlotte Fox returns to play the baby-loving Molly after playing killer-diller Roxie Hart earlier this summer in “Chicago”. Erica Livingston plays Debra, having been seen earlier this summer as Cookie Cusack in “Rumors”, and in previous seasons of “Unnecessary Farce”, “Damn Yankees”, and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”.  Playing Nicky is Morgan Reis, who was also seen in “Unnecessary Farce” as well as “Leading Ladies” in 2008, for which she received a Syracuse Area Live Theatre nomination.  Homer resident Kim Hubbard, Sound Designer David Huber and Syracuse resident Mark Re play the golf obsessed and part-time hunters Jay, Danny and Marty.

CRT continues the tradition of “Friday Night Talk Backs” at which a Q & A session with the actors, designers and crew take place after every Friday evening performance. Tickets are also on sale for the final show in CRT’s summer season, “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins”.  See CRT’s website for more details at www.cortlandrep.org.