Coward's 1925 comedy will play to July 26 at Pennsylvania Centre Stage's home in the Citizens Bank Theatre.

Directed by Brant Pope, Hay Fever is about an insular artistic family, the Bliss brood, who are on their worst behavior when, unbeknownst to one another, each invites a guest for a weekend dalliance in the country.

Director Pope, who was head of acting at Penn State from 2001 to 2007, has a 35-year career in both academic and professional theatre. The cast of nine includes veteran Helen Manfull, professor emerita in the School of Theatre and honorary alumna of Penn State; Jane Ridley, who has performed in numerous professional and regional theatres around the globe and is head of the graduate actor training program at Penn State; Henson Keys, head of the acting programs at the University of Illinois, and an actor and director with more than 120 productions in theatres across the country; and Penn State MFA actors Chad Bradford, Jessiee Datino, Clory C. Jackson, Ben Loving, Blaine Smith, and Stephanie Stroud.

The creative team includes scenic designer Lino Toyos, sound designer Michelle Y. Kokal, costume designer Barbara Pope, stage manager Emily Reeder, lighting designer Corey Felgenhour and technical director John Geisz.

For more information visit www.pacentrestage.psu.edu or call (800) ARTS-TIX. *

The 2009 PCS season included The Apple Tree and The Dining Room.