Flashback Theater Co. presents the final production of the 2024-25 Season, The House of Blue Leaves, running May 8-18, 2025 at Stoner Little Theater. Set in the wild world of the mid-1960s, this uproarious black comedy invites audiences to laugh at the everyday madness of modern civilization. Filled to the brim with comic hijinks and revealing truths in equal measure, director Jenny Cleberg hopes this production will remind audiences that when times are troubled, laughter can be our light in the darkness.
On October 4th 1965, Pope Paul Vl gave a blessing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, met with the US president, addressed the United Nations, held mass at the Yankee’s Stadium, and visited the World’s Fair – all within 14 hours. The play’s premise is set on this same day, but focused around the domestic life of New York City Zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy. Though Artie has a career and a family in NYC, he’s grown convinced that his only real shot at happiness lies in sunny California, where he’ll make it as a songwriter. His girlfriend Bunny helps him launch a plan to dispose of his current wife, Bananas, in a mental hospital known as “The House of Blue Leaves.” Not unlike the Pope, Artie’s day takes several unexpected twists and turns, and his outlandish responses highlight the murkiness of human life in the modern era.
“When I first read the play, I knew very little about it,” says director Jenny Cleberg, “I laughed the whole way through and then felt so distraught at the end that I wasn’t sure how to process it.” The House of Blue Leaves falls into a genre known as Black Comedy, where tragic events are played for comedic effect. Some events of the show might strike audiences as shocking, but the playwright’s intended effect is to satirize these events to the extreme, so that we might see the humor in them.
Cleberg comments, “You might ask: Why am I laughing? I’d say thank goodness for laughter, how else could we make it through the darkness without it?”
Though the show may take on a dark tone at times, Cleberg hopes audiences can come away with a more grounded perspective about how they themselves can be better: “Humanity can be tragic and the audience will feel that watching this production. Humans are always seeking something better, so much so that we miss what is right in front of our eyes. Unfortunately in that search for something better we can treat those we love as disposable. I hope the audience will leave thinking about those near to them and consider how to better love who and what they have and not endlessly be seeking something else that may not even be real and most certainly will let them down.”
The play’s all-star cast includes Thomas Alvey (Artie), Martha Pratt (Bunny), Bailey Patterson (Bananas), Scott Sexton (Billy), Rylee Moore (Corinna), Mahayla Mounce (Ronnie), Michele Hinton (Head Nun), Laura Torres (Second Nun), Jillian Griffin (Little Nun), Zachary Vaught (Military Police), and Tyler Fish (White Man). Joining Jenny Cleberg on the production team are Renate Dopp (Stage Manager), Steffani Phillipi (Assistant Director), Steve Cleberg (Set and Lighting Designer), Traci Bray (Costumer Designer), Travis Rogers (Assistant Stage Manager), and Nicole Strickler (Assistant Stage Manager).
Audiences will have six chances to catch this show across two weekends. Given the popularity of matinee performances, Flashback has opted to offer three matinee performances and three evening performances. No matter when you prefer to see theater, you can purchase your tickets by visiting or calling the Flashback Theater Box Office Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, or by purchasing tickets online.
Production Information
The House of Blue Leaves
By John Guare
Directed by Jenny Cleberg
May 8-18, 2025
Stoner Little Theater | 808 Monticello St. Somerset Ky 42501
Zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy has his sights set on arrogant aspirations of Hollywood stardom. On a cold October Day in 1965, the day Pope Paul Vl is visiting New York City, Artie and his girlfriend Bunny launch a plan to escape to California by disposing of Artie’s wife Bananas in a mental hospital that has trees with blue leaves. But their plans are more than derailed as the day unwinds into chaos; lost nuns take refuge in Artie’s apartment, Artie’s son Ronnie has gone AWOL, and his apartment becomes the site of a political bombing. This outrageously biting farce puts into perspective just how low some are willing to go for fame.
This production contains depictions of violence, adult situations and the use of unsettling language. There will be a simulated explosion in Act ll.
Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, May 8th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 10th, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 11th, 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 16th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 17th, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 18th, 2:30 p.m.
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased online at:https://fbtc.ticketleap.com/blue-leaves, by visiting the box office in person at 209A E Mount Vernon St. during office hours, or by calling the box office at (888) 394-3282, ext. 1. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Single ticket pricing for the 11th Season of Flashback productions will be:
Adults – $23 Advance, $25 Door
Students – $12 Advance, $15 Door
Seniors – $20 Advance and Door
Season Sponsors & Supporters
Flashback Theater Co. is grateful to our 2024-25 Starlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral Advancements, The City of Somerset, Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, and The Shubert Foundation. Spotlight Sponsors: M&W Printing and CHI Saint Joseph London; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: David Daring Rentals, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital & Lake Cumberland Residency Programs, First & Farmers National Bank, The Weigel Family, United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, Somerset Community College, Buffalo Wings & Rings, and Citizens National Bank.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to Flashback Theater Co. with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.