Theatre of Dare Presents Dating Comedy ‘Manly Men’

Posted By Matt Artz on April 10, 2015

“You don’t know anything about women, do you?”

That line signals the end of another bad date for Harold, the protagonist of Theatre of Dare’s upcoming production of Manly Men. Fortunately, it also signals the beginning of a very funny look at the slings and arrows of modern relationships.

“It’s incredible to me not only how funny this play is, but also how true to life,” says Tim Hass, the actor playing the lonely hero. “As someone who’s stayed single a lot longer than he ever planned, I can see shades of myself or someone I know in nearly every scene. It’s really quite perceptive.”

The play, penned by Richmond-area playwright Bo Wilson, takes Harold on a quest to unlock the secret of understanding the fairer sex, during which he gets advice from a wide variety of men and women, all played by Daniel Ziegler and Kat Morgan. The small cast and bare bones set put an increased emphasis on the dialogue, which bounces from comic one-liners to humorous philosophical musings at breakneck speed.

“Yes, it’s a comedy about dating told from a man’s perspective,” says director Jon Bender. “But I think women in the audience will be laughing and nodding in agreement just as much as the guys are. And in the end, I think there are nuggets of wisdom for everyone, whether they’re men or women, single or married.”

Of course, along with all the discussion of dating comes some adult situations and language, so this isn’t a play for sensitive ears. But for everyone else, Theatre of Dare’s season finale is a hilarious take on one of the All-Time Great Mysteries of the Universe: Human Relationships.

Manly Men will be performed at the COA Auditorium April 24 and 25 and May 1 and 2 at 7:30pm with matinees on April 26 and May 3 at 2pm.

Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for students and are available at the door or online at the Theatre of Dare website here.