The show will go on at Victorian Players

By Guy D’Astolfo

YOUNGSTOWN — Now that they've got their bad luck out of the way, Victorian Players will reopen their latest production on Friday the 13th.

After being forced to cancel performances of “Chase Me Up Farndale Avenue, S’il Vous Plait” last Saturday and Sunday because the lead actress was involved in an accident, the comedy will resume this weekend.

Yvonne Andrews was not injured in the mishap but was understandably shaken. She was turning into a gas station not long before Saturday’s performance when a motorcyclist crashed into her door. The cyclist was not seriously injured.

“Yvonne is returning to the show Friday night,” said Marilyn Higgins of Victorian Players Theatre. “She’s quite a trouper.”

Higgins also had a mishap before last Saturday’s performance. “I was fixing a new tablecloth at the back of the theater and a cord worked its way out from under the table,” she said. “It got wrapped around my foot and I took a step. Well, the cord didn’t budge as I insisted my foot was going to step and carry my weight.” Higgins was out of action for the past week and is waiting to hear if she will need surgery on her foot.

Saturday’s problems only temporarily dampened the cast’s high spirits. “We had had a very good opening night performance with everyone in high spirits, and they pulled off the pratfalls better than in practice,” said Higgins. “So they were quite up for another go at it when this occurred.”

Higgins said the cast is ready to get back in action.

Patrons who showed up for last weekend’s performances were told the show was canceled and given half-price vouchers for future performances, said Higgins.

“Chase Me Up Farndale” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown (across from Flynn’s Tires). Call (330) 746-5455 for reservations.