Cue the Mayhem: Mercyhurst Theatre stages uproarious comedy

The Mercyhurst Theatre Program opens its 2023-24 mainstage season with a riotous production of “The Government Inspector,” Nikolai Gogol’s deeply silly satire of small-town corruption. 

When the crooked leadership of a provincial village discovers that an undercover inspector is coming to root out their commonplace corruption, the town weaves a web of bribery, lies, and utter madness. This Erie premiere of acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation offers a hilarious reminder of the terrifying timelessness of bureaucracy and buffoonery.

Guest artist Dr. Doug Powers returns to direct the production, having most recently helmed the theatre program’s spring 2023 production of “The Crucible.”

“Slamming doors. Oddball characters. Mistaken identities. Nonstop laughs. Come join us for the Erie premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s comedy riot, ‘The Government Inspector,’ performed by some of Erie’s finest young actors,” says Powers.

The 17-person cast includes Kate Bentley (Waitress), Katelynn Bizzarro (Corporal’s Widow), Connor Brace (School Principal/Pentelaeyev), John Carroll (Osip/Postmaster), Abby Craig (Marya), Toni Crnjak (Hospital Director/Chernaeyev), Shane Dexter (Bobchinsky), Ali Forsythe (Anna Andreyevna), Nicole French (Innkeeper’s Wife), Bridget Gedeon (Grusha), Michael Harper (Mayor), Kat Kanazin (Locksmith’s Wife), Johnathon Morvay (Doctor), Eric Page (Svetsunov/Imperial Messenger), Mason Reynolds (Judge/Abdullin), Braden Rosciszewski (Hlestakov), and Ben Vacca (Dobchinsky). 

In addition to Powers, the creative team includes producer Dr. Brett D. Johnson, scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, production stage manager Lindsey Markiewicz, and assistant stage managers O. Perry, Maya Post, and Ashlyn Houghton.

Performances are Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 2-4, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m., in Taylor Little Theatre on the Mercyhurst campus. 

Single tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior citizens and non-Mercyhurst students, and $5 for youth and Mercyhurst students with I.D. Each order is subject to a $1.50 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.

All performances are general admission, with doors opening 30 minutes prior to curtain.  

Patrons can reserve their tickets online at the MIAC ticketing website, by phone at 814-824-3000 (Tuesday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m.) or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets will also be on sale at Taylor Little Theatre beginning 90 minutes before curtain. 

For more information, visit the MIAC website.