LOGAN – In the Lyric Repertory Company’s line-up of productions this summer will be the local debut of Home, I’m Darling, by British playwright Laura Wade.
That show is a dark comedy that delves into the tension between personal desires for the good old days and societal expectations in the real world, set to be performed by a half-dozen of the Lyric’s most gifted thespians.
Penned in 2018, the play focuses on Judy and Johnny, a couple that live in an artificial 1950 dream house marooned in the 21st Century. Dressed like a prom queen, Judy has raised her love of cupcakes, cocktails and vintage clothes from the level of squeaky-clean fun to that of a fetish.
An unsuccessful real estate agent, Johnny humors his wife as long as he can, but eventually financial pressures begin to mount.
Equity actress and Lyric veteran Sydnee Fuller will play the role of Judy.
A 2015 graduate of the Performing Arts program at Utah State, Ms. Fullmer has experience as an actor, director, playwright, costume designer and teacher throughout the country. She is also a voice actor who has narrated more than 350 book titles.
She is best remembered locally for past performances in Lyric productions of Sheer Madness, Hay Fever, Fox on the Fairway and Mamma Mia!
Adding real-life chemistry to the mix, Ms. Fuller’s husband Lance Rasmussen will play opposite her in the role of Johnny.
Now in his seventh season with the Lyric Rep, Rasmussen has similar acting credentials to his wife including Equity membership and a string of stage credits as long as your arm.
USU professor Leslie Brott will appear as Silvia, the disapproving mother of Judy in the play.
Ms. Brott is associate dean of the Caine College of the Arts and head of actor training at USU. She is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and has extensive stage experience, including 16 seasons with the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City as well as the Salt Lake Acting Company.
Most recently, Ms. Brott appeared as a female version of Prospero in the Bard’s The Tempest at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
The roles of Judy’s less-than-helpful neighbors Marcus and Fran will be played respectively by Gordon Dunn and Ariana Whatcott.
Dunn is a graduate of Utah State who is returning to the Lyric stage after a 10-year hiatus spent performing at theaters along the Wasatch Front. His more recent performance with the Lyric Rep was in The Elephant Man in 2014.
A senior at USU now in her third season with the Lyric Repertory Company, Ms. Whatcott has previously performed locally in Between the Lines, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson, Shear Madness and Hay Fever.
Another familiar face to local audiences will be Mia Gatherum, in the role of Alex. A 2025 graduate of USU, Ms. Gatherum is in her fourth season with the Lyric Rep, having previously performed in Hay Fever, One Man Two Guvnors and Into the Breeches.
Home, I’m Darling will be directed by USU assistant professor Amanda Dawson and staged at the intimate Black Box Theatre in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the campus of Utah State.
Evening performances of the dark comedy are slated on June 27 and 28; July 8, 11 and 15.
Matinee performances will be staged on June 28, July 4 and July 26.
Tickets for Home, I’m Darling can be purchase by going online to https://utahstateaggies.evenue.net/events/SHOW3