Players Connecting

For Special Event

SHERMAN — Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) by Christopher Hampton, a fascinating tale of sexual intrigue and betrayal among the French aristocracy, will be performed this month as part of a special collaboration between two local theater companies.

The Sherman Players will host the performances in association with Kent Community Players. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, May 19-20, with a special senior citizens’ preview on Thursday, May 18.

The play, which was the basis for the 1988 Oscar-nominated film starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Glenn Close and John Malkovich, is set in Paris one autumn and winter during the mid-1780s. It follows the Machiavellian plotting of La Marquise de Merteuil and Le Viconte de Valmont, former lovers who have decided to “preserve their friendship in order to trust each other implicitly.”

This trust takes a chilling turn as they meticulously plan, for their own amusement, the destruction of both innocence and those not so pure of heart. The decks are stacked so that all the hands dealt are cruel ones. The result is shattering.

Jane Farnol, born in England and trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, is the director. She has numerous acting and directing credits in New York and locally.

The cast includes Susan Abrams, David Almquist, Katherine Almquist, Ed Bernstein, Sara Bouchard, Rufus deRham, Joanne Dumitrascu, Eileen Epperson, Stacy-Lee Erickson, Laura Gilbert, Andy Hicks, Dick Lindsey, and Tiernan O’Rourke.

Set design is by Jim West.

Performances will begin at 8 pm, and tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students and seniors.

Reservations are available by calling 860-354-3622. Sherman Playhouse is at the intersection of routes 37 and 39, behind Sherman Firehouse.