Suite Surrender opening Friday

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  • Pictured above, Doug Tindol rehearsed his role as Mr. Dunlap in the Ritz Theatre’s production of Suite Surrender. The production is directed by Stacy Haley.
    Pictured above, Doug Tindol rehearsed his role as Mr. Dunlap in the Ritz Theatre’s production of Suite Surrender. The production is directed by Stacy Haley.
  • Blake Lewis (left) as Otis and Glenn Burns as Mr. Pippet, rehearsed the Ritz Theatre’s upcoming production of Suite Surrender. The play opens Friday  and will also be performed Feb. 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.  Matinee shows will be Feb. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.
    Blake Lewis (left) as Otis and Glenn Burns as Mr. Pippet, rehearsed the Ritz Theatre’s upcoming production of Suite Surrender. The play opens Friday and will also be performed Feb. 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee shows will be Feb. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.
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Looking for a unique date to take your loved one on this Valentine’s Day? Look no further!
The Ritz Community Theatre will open its doors Friday with Suite Surrender. 
The fast-paced comedy tells the story of two of Hollywood's biggest divas descending upon the Palm Beach Royale Hotel, with their assistants, luggage and legendary feud with one another in tow. 
Everything seems to be in order for their big performance until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, a lot of white roses and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this hilarious riot.
Director Stacy Haley said that when the Ritz’s board of directors began looking for shows and directors for the coming year, she brought Suite Surrender before them after seeing the production on vacation a few years earlier in Port Aransas.
“Watching the show, I really felt like it was something that would play well at the Ritz,” she said. “I’ve thought on this show for five years.”
At that time, Haley had never directed a show before. Her directing debut was two years ago with the Ritz production of Seussical.
This year when she decided to direct again, she thought that Suite Surrender would be a good show to bring to Snyder.
“People come to the theater and it’s just a night to come out and laugh,” Haley said. 
“This is a fast-paced comedy. There’s lots of ins and outs and quick one-liners. The characters are just kind of over-the-top people.”
Each character has their own quirks, from an odd obsession with white roses to a fierce dedication to getting the latest gossip.
“All the characters, in their own right, are fun,” Haley said. “The divas — I mean, who doesn’t love a good snotty diva? Their assistants, who put up with their stuff, the bellhops, who are just goofy, Mrs. Osgood… I mean, they’re all delightful characters.”
Haley said that she thinks her favorite character may be the manager of the Palm Beach Royale, Bernard S. Dunlap, played by Doug Tindol.
“He just is trying to hold it all together,” she said. “You can see the threads unraveling as the show goes on and he is desperately trying to keep his ship in order. He likes everything to be ship-shape and perfect, and it’s falling apart. He’s doing his best to keep it from being a disaster.”
The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, 15, 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 and 23. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. 
The Ritz has partnered with Spanish Inn to provide dinner before the show on Feb. 14 and 15. 
The package includes two play tickets, two Spanish Inn Specials and two drinks for $45 or two tickets, two rib-eye steaks and two drinks for $65. 
Tickets and packages are available online at www.ritzcommunitytheatre.org, and may also be purchased at the door before the show.
“You don’t want to miss the show,” Haley said. “It’s a delightful evening out. It’s the perfect date night, especially since we’re opening on Valentine’s. Everybody needs a night out just to come and laugh, because laughter is the best medicine.”