THE CHERRY SISTERS REVISITED

Full-length comedy-drama / 5w, 1m

How far can you go with ambition, gumption, a good heart—and no talent? The five Cherry sisters’ love of the vaudeville carries them all the way from their snowy farm in Iowa to the bright lights of Broadway, where their egregiously talentless act becomes a smash hit—bringing them fame, and a relentless barrage of rotten fruit and vegetables. Based on a true story and with music by Michael Friedman, Dan O'Brien's thought-provoking comedy takes a look at the insatiable urge to perform, and the audience's inability to look away.

The Cherry Sisters Revisited was supported in part by a residency at Yaddo, the Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University, and the Tennessee Williams Fellowship at The University of the South (Sewanee). The play was developed at The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival, directed by Andrew Leynse, and premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival of New Plays, also directed by Andrew Leynse.

REVIEWS

“Witty and ingenious”

—Mark Bretz, Ladue News

"Dan O'Brien's brilliant play tells the important story of how a group of talentless showbiz spinsters from Iowa gave birth to the twentieth century. This play was right on point, and moved me on every level. I rarely go back to see a play for a second time, but this one I will watch again."

—J.S. Holland, Louisville Mojo

"It's Gypsy by way of Waiting for Guffman, a frothy mix of gallows humor and naivete set to composer Michael Friedman's jaunty vaudeville tunes."

—Erin Keane, Louisville Courier-Journal

“ . . . a thoughtful and funny [play with music] about the stuff we're willing to ignore so that we can continue to believe we're pursuing our dreams. It's a kind of magic trick we do to avoid facing ugly realities.”

—Paul Friswold, Riverfront Times