 
Pictured is the Yale Rep's publicity poster for "It Pays to Advertise." When the play opened in New York City in 1914, one critic said, "There isn't a breathing soul in New York who could see it without quakes of laughter." |
is farcical tale of 'hucksterism'
The son of a soap mogul discovers that love can be as slippery as his father's product in "It Pays to Advertise," the next production in the Yale Repertory Theatre's 2001-2002 season.
The farce, written by Roi Cooper Megrue and Walter Hackett, will be directed by Stan Wojewodski Jr., dean of the School of Drama and artistic director of the Yale Rep. Performances will run Nov. 29-Dec. 22 at the University Theatre, 222 York St.
"'It Pays to Advertise' is at once an accomplished farce, a sweet but canny love story, and a telling snapshot of the American character," says Wojewodski. "The play captures our national fascination with the exuberant hucksterism of Madison Avenue. And with a story that centers on teaching a gruff, old, rich man the value of good will, it's perfect for the holiday season.
"Of course that's 'good will' as it is used in commerce, and its value is measured in actual dollars," he notes, adding, "This affectionate 1914 portrait of us by Megrue and Hackett shows that we bear a remarkable resemblance to our ancestors."
Set in 1914, New York City, "It Pays To Advertise" pits father against son for dominance in a booming soap market. Cyrus Martin, a highly successful soap manufacturer, attempts to reform his wayward son, Rodney, by turning off the financial tap. The scheme works so well, however, that Rodney decides he'll fight soap with soap and launches an aggressive advertising campaign targeted specifically at a demographic of one -- his father. While learning the importance of effective advertising, Rodney finds an unlikely ally in his father's savvy secretary, Mary Grayson.
"It Pays to Advertise" is the only collaboration between Megrue, a former play-broker who wrote 16 works for the stage, and Hackett, a playwright and theater manager, who wrote 36 plays during his lifetime. When "It Pays to Advertise" opened in New York City in 1914, The New York American proclaimed it a "triple-plated mirth convulsion," adding, "There isn't a breathing soul in New York who could see it without quakes of laughter." The play ran for 399 performances, and has been a favorite in the American theater repertoire for many years.
Wojewodski is in his last year as the Yale Rep's artistic director and drama school dean, posts that he has held since 1991. While at Yale, he has usually directed two productions at the Yale Rep every year. His most recent productions include this fall's "You Never Can Tell" and last season's "Big Night" and "The Way of the World." He has also staged productions at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, The Guthrie Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Old Globe Theatre,Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, Santa Fe Festival Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Wojewodski served as artistic director of Baltimore's Center Stage 1977-1991.
The cast for "It Pays to Advertise" includes Adam Greer as Rodney Martin, Sarah Rafferty as Mary Grayson, Jack Davidson as Cyrus Martin, Michael McGrath as Ambrose Peale and Henny Russell as Comtesse de Beaurien. Rounding out the ensemble are Bob Freschi as Johnson and George McChesney, Matthew Humphreys as Ellery Clark, Drew Scott as William Smith and Arthur Bronson, and Marnye Young as Marie and Miss Burke.
Greer appeared Off-Broadway in "Straight Jacket," "What You Get and What You Expect," "Hamlet" and "Cymbeline." Rafferty, a graduate of the School of Drama, appeared at the Yale Rep as Cherry in "The Beaux Strategem" and on Broadway in "You Never Can Tell" at Roundabout Theatre Company. Davidson's Broadway credits include "Twelfth Night," "The Price," "Captain Brassbound's Conversion" and "Anna Christie." McGrath has appeared on Broadway in "Little Me," "Swinging on a Star," "The Goodbye Girl" and "My Favorite Year." Russell appeared on Broadway earlier this fall as Sarah in "Major Barbara" at Roundabout Theatre Company; she has performed her one-woman show, "Isabelle," at theaters in New York, California, and Ohio.
The design team for "It Pays to Advertise" includes scenic designer Robin Vest, costume designer Melissa McVay, lighting designer Paul Whitaker and sound designer Mimi Epstein.
Rounding out the artistic team are Yale Rep resident dramaturg Catherine Sheehy and stage manager Cynthia Kocher.
Tickets for "It Pays to Advertise" range in price from $22 to $39. For more information, or to order tickets, call the Yale Rep box office at (203) 432-1234; box office hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.yalerep.org.
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