Mark Clements directs Fahrner, Darren Michael Hengst, Marco Verna and Greg Wood. Performances play to April 26.
According to WST, "They say the more things change, the more they stay the same, and pork-barrel politics are no exception! The year is 1946. Harry Brock (Marco Verna) is a businessman who goes to our nation's capital trying to break into the 'special interest' business with an ethically-challenged senator (Greg Wood). He realizes that his fiancée, Billie Dawn (Kate Fahrner), may need a makeover to fit his new inside-the-beltway image. To ensure that Billie gets properly 'culturefied,' Brock hires a D.C. journalist (Darren Michael Hengst) to give the seemingly dim-witted blonde a crash course in politics, history, literature, and — of course — true love. Brock soon finds out that Billie's new-found freedom and intelligence are more than he bargained for!"
Fahrner was most recently seen as Amber Von Tussle in the Walnut's holiday production of Hairspray. Her credits include the national tours of Cats, The Full Monty and (most recently) Glinda in Wicked.
Born Yesterday made Holliday a star; she appeared in the Broadway run and won an Academy Award for the movie.
* The cast also includes David Hess (last seen at WST in Grand Hotel), Joe Jackson, Karen Peakes, Fran Prisco, Bill Van Horn and Susan Wilder.
Director Clements directed WST's new interpretation of Les Misérables (2008 Barrymore Award winner for Best Overall Production of a Musical). His previous Walnut directorial credits include Of Mice and Men (Barrymore Award winner for Best Director and Best Overall Production of a Play), Blood Money, The Rivals, Great Expectations and the 2006 Studio 3 production of The Thing About Men.
The creative team includes scenic designer Todd Edward Ivins, costume designer Colleen Grady, lighting designer Shelley Hicklin and sound designer Christopher Colucci.
Tickets range from $10-$60 and are available online at walnutstreettheatre.org or Ticketmaster. Tickets are also available by phone at (215) 574-3550 or (800) 982-2787.
