Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte opening at The Laboratory Theater of Florida

FORT MYERS, FL (May 15, 2018) – On the heels of last year’s runaway hit Whatever Happened to Baby Jane: A Parody of the Horror, the Laboratory Theater of Florida proudly presents Hush Up, Sweet Charlotte.
We journey to a plantation in the Old South and meet Charlotte Hollis, a southern belle whose only companion is her daffy but loyal maid. She has been shunned by her community since the long-ago mysterious murder of her lover. Now the family home is about to be torn down, so she calls upon her cousin, Miriam, to help. It’s sure to be a drag-tastic time with these divas in this campy parody of the 1964 horror movie, Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte.
The theater’s Artistic Director Annette Trossbach is directing this show. “‘Hush’ is an over-the-top, fun, parody of Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte, starring Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. Set in the decaying mansion in Louisiana, the play deals with lovely but ostracized Charlotte (played by Brian Linthicum), who is driven to the brink of madness as she struggles to save her family home. When Cousin Miriam (play by Randall Kenneth Jones) arrives to help, Charlotte and the whole situation spin dangerously out of control.
Fort Myers resident Brian Linthicum, who plays Charlotte Hollis, says “Step aside Bette Davis, there’s a new girl in town!”
Randall Kenneth Jones, from Marco Island, having starred as Baby Jane Hudson last year, added: “Sure, I want to wear pants on stage again! But how many actors get to step into the stilettos of Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland? My only concern is Olivia filing a lawsuit against me for ‘defamation’ of a character? Olivia, trust me, I love you.”
Sue Schaffel, who splits her time between Naples and Washington DC, says: “My favorite line in the show is ‘But Velma is — well — Velma.’ Stepping into the shoes of the supreme talent of Agnes Moorehead, who played Velma in the film version, is a dream come true. Hush Up Sweet Charlotte will keep the audience laughing and hooting and hollering, all while sitting on the edge of their seats in suspense. This is my 1st entry into the Florida theater scene and what an initiation it is!”
“Laughter is the only way to make sense of it all.” –  sfweekly.com “ … a tour de force of great gay camp acting.” –  talkinbroadway.com
Hush Up Sweet Charlotte plays from June 1st to July 1st at the Laboratory Theater of Florida. Performance dates are as follows:
June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 at 8pm
June 10, 17, 24 at 2pm
July 1 at 2 pm
Tickets are available to purchase on Brownpapertickets.com or by calling the box office at 239-218-0481. For additional savings, guests may purchase a 2018-2019 Season Pass.
ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.