NO FEATHERS DESIRED

CLINTONVILLE — They say that birds of a feather flock together, and that analogy can be applied to neighbors, too.

However, Leona Crump doesn’t want to flock with anybody after her quiet cul-de-sac gets some neighbors who might be considered hill-folk in the play “Birds of a Feather.” The show is coming to town next week as the Phoenix Players’ latest production and the first non-musical show presented by the troupe.

“We’ve always had that in the works,” said Brandon Byng, the show’s director, about doing a show without musical numbers and choreography. “It kind of worked out for us because we were going to do ‘The Sound of Music’ (in December) but then found out that Shawano (Community High School) was going to do it.”

In the play, Crump has lived in her neighborhood for decades, and she prefers things to stay where they are. However, when a “For Sale” sign pops up on a neighbor’s lawn, out come the binoculars as Leona frets about who might possibly be moving into the neighborhood. The last thing she wants is to share the neighborhood with any California beatniks, paroled drug dealers or — worst of all, to Leona — families with little children scampering about.

Leona shares her fears with her friends, few that they are, and her husband, who hasn’t moved from his spot on the couch in years. As first, she’s encouraged when no one seems to be interested in buying the place after a tour, but the first act ends with the news that a family has made an offer on the home, site unseen, leaving Leona to further question who her new neighbors are.

That answer quickly comes to light as Leona meets the neighbors shortly after the second act opens. Once she does, she vows to shoo them right back to wherever they came from. Leona can’t fathom sharing the cul-de-sac with hill-folk like Gaffina Hambefferschmidt, her “Maw,” her lecherous boyfriend or her trampy daughter. Things finally reach a head when the neighbors sport some pink flamingos on their lawn.

“It’s a really funny play,” Byng said. “I wanted to do it because I wanted people to laugh and come and have a good time.”

The show will resonate for audience members who have a crusty neighbor like Leona Crump, in Byng’s opinion.

“Then there’s all of these other zany characters that come and go, and they disturb her peaceful existence,” he said.

After gaining a reputation for performing colorful musicals like “Christmas on the Air,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Shrek,” Byng is eager to provide audiences with a new twist in the community theater’s portfolio.

“I think they’re going to like that we’re doing something different,” Byng said. “There’s a comedy aspect that they’ll be able to come and enjoy. The night will end with laughter — hopefully.”

The whole show takes place in Leona’s living room, and Byng thinks the play’s success will hinge on the character performances.

“It has one of those classic sitcom feels where you open the door and there’s Kramer or some other new person coming through the door constantly,” said Byng, referring to the NBC series “Seinfeld” that ran in the 1990s.

Even with having to put in “Birds of a Feather” in as a last-minute replacement for “The Sound of Music,” Byng said he plans to bring the story of the Von Trapp family to Clintonville audiences in the future. However, Byng still plans to do other non-musical shows.

“We definitely want to throw it into the mix more often, because we do want to cater to people who can’t sing or don’t dance or are very intimidated at the thought of doing a musical,” Byng said. “We want to have that opportunity to bring in a different crowd.”

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: “Birds of a Feather”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and Feb. 7-8; 1 p.m. Feb. 2 and Feb. 9

WHERE: 1918 Auditorium, Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School, 105 S. Clinton Ave., Clintonville

ADMISSION: $12 general audience, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $7 for children 12 and under for tickets purchased in advance. Tickets go up $3 when purchased at the door.