PowPAC starts season with ‘Funny Business’

PowPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre opens its new season on Friday with the comedy “Funny Business,” at PowPAC’s theater, 13250 Poway Road in the Lively Center.

“Funny Business,” written by prolific British playwright Derek Benfield, is the sequel to “Bedside Manners,” the comedy that closed PowPAC’s 2015-16 season in May. It is being directed by Brent A. Stringfield, the artistic director of PowPAC, with assistance by Annette Alliano. It is being produced by Chris and Brenda Robinson.

Those who didn’t get a chance to see “Bedside Manners” last season needn’t worry, said Stringfield. “The audience doesn’t need to have seen ‘Bedside Manners’ to see ‘Funny Business.’ Ferris (the innkeeper) is the only recurring character. This is a stand-alone show featuring new problems and dilemmas for Ferris.”

“Funny Business” sees the return of Ferris (Tyler Richards Hewes, reprising his role from “Bedside Manners”) returning to his sister’s seedy hotel to run it while she’s on vacation. He has to deal with a slew of new guests, all of whom have guilty secrets they’re trying to hide. To make things worse, one of these guests is a notorious hotel critic for the Sunday paper — but which of the guests is the reviewer is unknown.

“This leads to several cases of mistaken identity and Ferris making judgment calls which turn out to be false and the hilarity that goes along with that,” said Stringfield.

Rest of the cast includes Daniel R. Sky as Henry, Holly Stephenson as Angela, Renée Gándola as Judy and Mark Danielski as Edgar. Tamaz Bolkvadze, who was also a cast member in “Bedside Manners,” returns in a new role as Mr. Johnson. “It’s a very different role (from ‘Bedside Manners’),” said Stringfield. “Thanks to costuming and makeup, the audience may not even recognize him.”

The show will re-use the two-room hotel set created for “Bedside Manners” with some minor changes, which is one of the reasons PowPAC decided to put on the dual shows of “Bedside Manners” and “Funny Business,” said Stringfield. “(Being able to reuse the set for the two shows) allowed us to make the best use of our finances, our resources and our volunteers during the summer months,” he said.

“Funny Business” opens Friday and runs through Sunday, Aug. 14. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22 general admission; $20 students, seniors and active military and are available online at powpac.org. There is a $2 surcharge for opening night, which includes a post-performance reception with the cast.