Parrish Playworks gets spooky with ‘Tales of Suspense’ at
Worthington on Lovelee Lake
Parrish Playworks, Inc.’s upcoming production of “Tales of Suspense” marks the performance group’s fifth season of providing live and local theatrical events. “Tales of Suspense” presents two vintage radio plays in one chilling, thrilling show on Oct. 25, 26 and 27. This show is the first production between Parrish Playworks and Worthington on Lovelee Lake in Ellenton, providing a home base for the Manatee County-based community theater.
“We are thrilled to bring these scary but classic stories to this space. The Worthington is a perfect, secluded spot for a grown-up Halloween date night,” President and Creative Director Karen Romant said. “Although Parrish Playworks has been known as a traveling theater troupe, willing and able to perform at nearly any venue on request, we have been looking for a place to call home for larger productions. We are absolutely delighted to partner with Worthington for our fall show, and we hope to bring more live entertainment to this site. The Worthington is a beautiful waterfront spaceand the perfect spot for dinner theater, even comedy or open mic nights, not just a special event venue.”
“Tales of Suspense” includes two vintage radio plays from the late 1940s: Sorry, Wrong Number by Lucille Fletcher and The Fairley-Bright Caper by Dashiell Hammett. Hailed as one of the best 10 radio shows of all time, Sorry, Wrong Number tells the story of bed-ridden Mrs. Stevenson, a long-time invalid whose only contact with the outside world is her telephone. But what’s a poor, sick woman to do when she overhears a murder plot on that telephone? The Fairley-Bright Caper features hard-boiled detective Sam Spade, who is hired to keep his private eye on the motley crew of guests at a ritzy Halloween party. What could possibly go wrong? Then we hear the gunshots . . .
Jarrett James, owner of The Worthington and also the Hickory Hollow restaurant, said, “The Worthington enjoys supporting our local community, and we are looking forward to working with Parrish Playworks in staging this first performance at our site.”
“Tales of Suspense” opens on Friday, Oct. 25 and runs for three performances through Sunday, Oct. 27. Curtain is at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evening and at 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinée. Refreshments, including a cash bar, will be available for patrons.
Tickets are $15. To purchase tickets, visit www.parrishplayworks.org/now-playing.
For more information about Parrish Playworks, Inc., email parrishplayworksinc@gmail.com.
To contact The Worthington, call 941-212-6858.