By Sandy Rustin
When infidelity slips on a banana peel!
Sylvia and Beau find themselves in an English countryside cottage for their yearly rendezvous, and Sylvia knows this time it will be the beginning of their new life together. But when Beau demurs on a shared future, and their spouses arrive at the cottage, she realizes that this home-away-from-home is a refuge for determining a new path forward. With a tip of the hat to Noël Coward and sex comedies of the past, THE COTTAGE offers a perfect showcase for six actors with endless laughs, hilarious twists, daring physical comedy, and a happy ending for lovers everywhere.
Recommended ages 13+. Contains mild adult language and themes.
Tickets $15-$27 plus NC state taxes and fees
Meet the Cast
Julia Howard (Sylvia)
Julia Howard is thrilled to be making her DCP debut in this role. Previously, she has been seen in shows around the Southeast, most recently in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Maggie), X (Gilda), DEATHTRAP (Myra), and STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Blanche). Other favorite roles include THE CRUCIBLE (Abigail Williams), WAIT UNTIL DARK (Susan Hendrix), and SISTER ACT (Sr. Mary Robert). She would like to thank Hanley for this incredible opportunity and the wonderful cast and crew of this show for all their hard work. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their support, and especially her wonderful husband, Dan, for all his encouragement and love. AMDG.
Ben Allen (Beau)
Ben Allen is beyond thrilled to make his DCP debut in The Cottage. Most recently seen in DEATHTRAP (Clifford Anderson) at Rock Hill Theatre, his other recent credits in the area include MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (Col. Arbuthnot) with Theatre Charlotte and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (Prentiss) with Matthews Playhouse. Hailing from the town of Wake Forest and as a graduate from UNCG’s School of Theatre, some of his other favorite works include FALSETTOS (Marvin) and ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (Mortimer Brewster). He is immensely grateful to work with such talented artists in this hilarious farce, and he would like to extend his deepest gratitude for his loving family and friends who continuously support him.
Amanda Pippin (Marjorie)
Amanda Pippin is a Charlotte native. She graduated from UNCC with a BA in theatre. She has had a deep relationship with theatre for the past 25 years. She has run her own theatre company, performed at numerous theatres in and around the Charlotte area, worked as a theatre teacher for 8 years in several high schools in CMS. She is excited to be back with the Davidson players since performing in their 2022 production of NOISES OFF, which also happens to be her favorite show she has done. She is looking forward to THE COTTAGE, and all its twists and turns.
Andrew Pippin (Clark)
Andrew Pippin is a Charlotte native and has been doing local theater for over a decade. This production will mark his second time appearing in a DCP mainstage production, the first being his favorite show he's ever been in: NOISES OFF (Roger/Garry). Other favorite credits include Queen City Concert's ONCE (Bank Manager) and HAIR (Ensemble), Matthew's Playhouse's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Ensemble) and CLUE (Mr. Green), and The Black and White Theatre's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Jack/Ernest) and THE MOUSETRAP (Trotter). When not on stage, he works as a software engineer and enjoys spending his free time with his dog Khaleesi, playing disc golf, D&D, writing music, and performing stand-up and improv comedy. As always, he is thankful for the support of his family and especially his wife, Amanda, who is also in this production!
Cate Jo (Dierdre)
Cate Jo is delighted to be making her DCP debut alongside this talented cast and crew. (In fact, she most recently appeared as Marjorie in FMCP's production of THE COTTAGE earlier this year, but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to work under the direction of Hanley Smith and just had to come back for round 2!) Additional favorite North Carolina credits include MARY JANE (Amelia/Kat) at Three Bone Theatre, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Vera Claythorne) and THE MOUSETRAP (Molly Ralston) at Lee Street Theatre, and SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU (Philomena Rostovich) at Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte. Cate sends her love and many thanks to her honey bunny Peaches, her family & friends, and her OG Beau.
Andrew Williams (Richard)
Andrew Williams is so excited to be back on the Davidson Community Players Stage! He's previously performed here in A NICE FAMILY GATHERING (Michael) and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Brick). Some of Andrew's other favorite performances are when he performed with Old Courthouse Theatre in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Mitch) and ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (Mortimer), and I HATE HAMLET (Gary/Andrew swing) at Lee Street Theatre. He's so excited to be performing along with this talented cast and wonderful crew. Lastly, he'd like to thank his friends and family who support him in every artistic endeavor he takes on.
Meet the Production Team
Hanley Smith, Director Kate Baker, Scenic Design Intern/Scenic Charge
Andrew Mueller, Stage Manager Chip Decker, Master Carpenter/Scenic Mentor
Erica Owens, Prop Designer Kathryn Harding, Sound Designer
Megan Delgado, Lighting Designer Michelle Medina Villalon, Intimacy Coordinator
Sarah Deutsch, Costume Designer Allison Collin, Fight Choreographer
Lindsey Litka Montes, Costume Designer
Hanley Smith (Director) is very grateful to Steve for inviting her to make her directorial debut with DCP. She originated the role of Dierdre in the World Premier of The Cottage at Astoria PAC and then went on to play Sylvia at Florida Studio several years later. Other performing credits include: The Sound of Music (Pittsburgh CLO, Fulton Theatre, Maine State); The Last Five Years (Syracuse Stage, dir. by Jason Alexander); Venus in Fur, Les Misérables, White Christmas (Fulton Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Gulfshore Playhouse); The Glass Menagerie (Pioneer); Tiny Beautiful Things and What the Constitution Means to Me (NC Stage). BA: Davidson College. Love to the cast, crew, and designers for bringing this show to life with such care and joy!