Set to perform in 'Fuddy Meers,' from left to right, are Rob Bergenstock, Shawn Ergler, Jaimie Monahan and Erin Salvati.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - “Stability is a fragile figurine,” announces Richard Fiffle. The LHU University Players knock stability on its head with the bizarre comedy, “Fuddy Meers.” Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, “Fuddy Meers” runs Feb. 27, 28, 29 and March 1 at 8:00 p.m. in the Countdown Theatre on the LHU campus.

What would you do if you woke up every morning and had no memory? “Fuddy Meers” tells the comical, sometimes frightening, story of Claire (Jaimie Monahan), a woman who wakes up every morning and cannot remember anything about who she is or where she came from. At the start of each day, her husband, Richard Fiffle (Matthew Faragasso) comes to her room with a book of essential information to remind her of the life that she has lived. Claire’s world is turned upside down one morning when the Limping Man (Shawn Ergler) pops out from under her bed with surprising information. From that moment on, “Fuddy Meers” is a twisted funhouse ride full of crazy thrills and foul-mouthed puppets. Claire’s journey to restore her memory is both helped and hindered by many other colorful characters: there’s Kenny (Justin Bupp), her troubled, pot-smoking teenage son; Heidi (Jaime Torley), a tough female cop; Gertie (Erin Salvati), Claire’s mother and recent stroke victim; and Millet (Rob Bergenstock), a strange man with a puppet that seems to have a life of its own.

Dr. Dale J. Young, Assistant Professor in the Department of Performing Arts-Theatre Division, is making his directorial debut on the Lock Haven stage. In regards to the “clowning” style with which he is approaching the production, Young asserts that “Abaire’s writing lends itself directly to a style of theatrical clowning that has historical roots going back hundreds and hundreds of years; a theatrical form of clowning that relies on big physical humor with emotional depth and comedy arising out of situation and strong characters rather than gadgets and gimmicky props.” Tucker Gordner, a senior Theatre major, serves as Scenic Designer and Technical Director. His whimsical design for the show incorporates simultaneous settings while preserving a funhouse-like effect. Costumes for “Fuddy Meers” were designed by Julie Fisher. The lighting for “Fuddy Meers” was designed and implemented by the students in Professor Stephen Haynes’ Stage Lighting class. Dr. Jim Davis, Assistant Professor of Theatre at Kennesaw State University in Georgia and professional puppeteer, has specially designed Millet’s puppet for this production.

“Fuddy Meers” runs Feb. 27, 28, 29 and March 1 in Sloan Countdown Theatre. Curtain time for all shows is 8:00 PM. Admission is free to all Countdown Theatre productions on a first-come first-serve basis. Tickets for the performances will be made available beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening outside of the Countdown Theatre (Sloan 321). One ticket per person. No tickets will be distributed in advance. Ticket-holders will need to be in their seats by 7:45 at which point seats are released to waiting list patrons. All seats are general admission and seating is limited. Please arrive early to all shows as no latecomers will be seated. A Curtain Talk will follow the February 28th performance. Audience members who attend that February 28th performance are invited to stay after the show with any questions they may have for the director, actors and design team. Please Note: “Fuddy Meers” contains adult language and content. For further information, contact Dr. Christine Woodworth in the LHU Department of Performing Arts, (570) 484-2853 or Jaimie Monahan at jmonahan@lhup.edu.