Long Beach, CA -- English Playwright Joe Orton’s black comedy Loot made its premier in 1965 and follows the fortunes of two young thieves, Hal and Dennis. Together they rob the bank next to the funeral parlor where Dennis works and return to Hal's home to stash the money. Unfortunately for her, Hal’s mother has recently died and she’s resting in her coffin. When Inspector Truscott turns up to investigate, the coffin becomes the ideal hiding place for the stolen loot. But what to do with Mum?    

“You can see the dilemma,” said Madison Mooney, Long Beach Playhouse Executive Director. “One of my favorite things about this show is the way Orton’s characters sound so genteel and proper as Mum’s body makes its way around the house.”

Along with the two thieves and the inspector working the case, the household includes Mum’s former nurse Fay, Hal’s gullible father Mr. McLeavy, and Meadows, a policeman assisting the inspector. The ensemble cast plays off one another perfectly, they keep the plot moving along with great hilarity.

“Orton satirizes the rituals of bereavement”, said Sean Gray, Artistic Director for the Playhouse. “He shows us the contrasts between standards of behavior and actual human conduct. The police are depicted as crooked and corrupt. We are able to examine the attitudes of the 1960s as we laugh at the brilliance of Orton’s playful farce.”

The director is Allen Sewell who has acted in Playhouse shows going back to 1999. He recently completed two terms as the president of the theater’s board of directors. This is his second time directing a Playhouse production.  

The six-member cast includes two debuting performers, Roxy Payne and Jack Loeprich. Returning Playhouse favorites are Ronan Walsh, Noah Wagner, Rick Reischman, and Rudy Perez.

“This is a great show to kick-off the summer,” said Mooney. “Come and see the show!”

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Preview Thursday, June 6 - community can see this production for whatever they wish to donate, suggested donation $5
• Ten Dollar Preview Friday, June 7- Tickets are $10.00
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on Saturday June 8 - Tickets are $35.00 - SPONSORED BY THE PORT OF LONG BEACH

TICKET PRICES

Friday: Adults are $25.00, Seniors $20.00, and Students $20.00

Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $30.00, Seniors $25.00, and Students $20.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

To request an interview with the director, cast members or reserve your media tickets to this performance, please send an email to: [email protected].

Where: Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

When: Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

PLEASE NOTE: The Studio Theater is on the 2nd Floor. There is no elevator and the theater is only accessible by stairs.