TVAC Presents Nana's Naughty Knickers

DAYTON-If you think Victoria has a secret, wait until you meet Sylvia Charles in the Touchet Valley Art Council production of Nana's Naughty Knickers.

This fast-paced romp, co-directed by Leah Stockton and Bev Startin, is a story about a twenty- something girl, named Bridget Charles, who comes to stay with her grandmother in New York City for the summer and discovers that her Nana, Sylvia Charles, is running an illegal boutique out of her apartment.

Apparently, Nana is selling handmade naughty knickers to every senior citizen in a five-borough area.

Will Nana get arrested, or evicted? Will Bridget be able to handle all the excitement?

Will the audience be able to handle all the excitement?

Startin said she read through a dozen scripts before narrowing her choices, and accepting this particular play, which is rated PG for adult humor.

"I do like comedy," she said. "This is one of the funniest things I read, and felt our audience would love it."

Nana's Naughty Knickers features a cast of nine, with Deb Fortner playing Bridget Charles.

Startin said she appreciates how well-prepared Fortner is at rehearsals.

"I wouldn't do a show without her," Startin said.

Startin said she appreciates all the members of the cast, from Kim Boggs, as Sylvia Charles, to Michael Luce, for a small role as Hank the UPS Man, which she characterizes as "over the top funny".

And she is grateful to Joe Huether for designing the set, as well as his expertise as a lighting and sound technician.

"This is one of the most difficult sets I have worked with," she said.

Startin said she has eight variety shows and four musicals on her TVAC directorial resume.

She, and retired Dayton High School English teacher Leah Stockton, are co-directing Nana's Naughty Knickers, which is the second play they have worked on together.

Stockton's background as an English and Drama teacher is essential because, unlike musicals, plays rely mainly on dialogue to move the story forward, she said.

The duo co-directed last year's play Murder on the Rerun and they are promising another crowd-pleaser with Nana's Naughty Knickers.

Nana's Naughty Knickers is playing at the Liberty Theater at 7 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 25, and at both 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sat. Jan. 26. There is also a matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Sun. Jan 27.

Tickets can be purchased on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Liberty Theater box office, between 2-5 p.m., or by phone at 382-1380, and also online at http://www.libertytheater.org.