Neil Simon's The Star-Spangled Girl is ''Fallout'' of Your Seat Funny!

(PRWEB) May 21, 2004 -- If you are going to be in town over Memorial Day Weekend and are looking for something to do, have I got a suggestion for you. Check out The Starlight Cafe Theatre at The Mansion House Restaurant and Garden. They are kicking off their second summer season with Neil Simon’s hilarious romantic comedy The Star-Spangled Girl.

This delightful blend of love and politics is set in 1966, during the Vietnam War. Best friends Norman Cornell (Cameron Johnson) and Andy Hobart (John Hoffar) have spent the last three years and their entire life’s savings publishing a little known “protest� magazine called Fallout from their small San Francisco apartment. Their motto, “A Remedy for a Sick Society�, keeps them foraging ahead in spite of near-starvation and an abundance of overdue bills. Nothing...not poverty, not hunger, not the threat of bodily harm...has challenged their faith in Fallout nor their visions for an improved America. That is until the beautiful, patriotic, all-American, Olympic swimmer, Sophie Rauschmeyer (Katy Proietti) moves in next door and leaves a lasting impression on Norman that jeopardizes all he and Andy have ever worked for.

Like his character, Andy Hobart, John Hoffar served two years in the United States Army. Hoffar was last seen in the Merced College Short Play Festival after portraying a gold speedo wearing Rocky in Merced College’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. He is thrilled to be working once more with ‘Rocky Horror’ director, Matthew Powell, as well as Cameron Johnson who played the role of Brad Majors in the same production.

The Star-Spangled Girl marks Johnson’s second play with the Starlight Café Theatre. Last summer, he portrayed several roles in the ensemble musical Working, also directed by Powell. In addition to playing the role of Norman Cornell in The Star-Spangled Girl, Johnson is busy rehearsing for his role in the upcoming musical Chorus Line at Playhouse Merced. When not at rehearsal, Johnson teaches art and dance concepts at the enrichment center for the Merced County Arts Council.

Katy Proietti is no stranger to the stage. However, it has taken a backseat to her focus on sports. After graduating from Merced High School last spring, she accepted an invitation to play basketball at Montana State University Bozeman where she just completed her freshman year. She is glad to be home for the summer and is thankful for the opportunity to get back on stage before she returns to Montana.

Powell said that choosing a play revolving around war protesting and patriotism was no coincidence. The fact that Simon argued both sides of the fence makes the show enjoyable no matter which side you are on. But war is just a tiny sub-plot of this amusing play, which deals more directly with issues of friendship and the crazy things one will do for love.

The Starlight Cafe Theatre is located in the beautiful garden setting of the Mansion House Restaurant and Garden on the corner of 20th and Canal. Performances of The Star-Spangled Girl will be at 8 p.m. on May 28th, 29th, 30th, and June 4th and 5th. Admission for the show is $15.

For those wishing to please their pallets prior to the performances, The Mansion House will open their doors for dinner service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy their 4-course “Dinner all the way� meal, or ask about Heather Vann’s new, less expensive, Café menu. Dinner is not included with the price of your show ticket.

Powell said, “We are busy rehearsing, building sets, hanging lights and cooking up great treats, now all we need is you. Join us, under the stars at The Starlight Café Theatre.�

For further information or to make reservations, please call the Mansion House Restaurant and Garden at 383-2744.