The Underpants
By Carl Sternheim
Adapted by Steve Martin

September 2-24, 2005

Directed by Rhonda Clark
 

"Don't underestimate the power of a glimpse of lingerie!" shouts an uptight government clerk. When the garment in question belongs to his beautiful wife and the setting is the rather repressed Germany of 1910, he may have a point.

During the king's parade, Louise climbed on a bench for a better view, but her pantaloons headed south, and the surrounding crowd got the best view of all.

Theo frets that his government career is finished, that their chances for renting the spare room are over, and they are doomed to financial ruin. However, their spare room becomes the hottest commodity in Dusseldorf, as several men who caught a glimpse at the parade vie for more than a glimpse of the lady of the house.

Her sudden celebrity status is exhilarating for a young wife in a sexless marriage, and when her prying neighbor urges her on, Louise abandons her inhibitions and the hilarity multiplies.

Steve Martin’s adaptation of Carl Sternheim’s 1910 farce "Die Hose" is brimming with rapid-fire wit, double entendres and fast-paced action. The comedian may be best known for such movies as FATHER OF THE BRIDE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and THE JERK, but he is also an Emmy-winning television writer, playwright, novelist and essayist. His first play PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, about the mythical meeting of Picasso and Einstein in a Paris bar, broke box office records around the country, and delighted Carpenter Square audiences five years ago. Two of the current cast members also appeared in that production at Carpenter Square.

Carpenter Square Theatre is the recipient of a project assistance grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council for this production. The theater is an Allied Arts member agency and this production is an Allied Arts Star Card event.

THE UNDERPANTS is rated PG.