Holy Cross Alternate College Theatre Presents Student-Directed The Seven Year Itch

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross Alternate College Theatre presents George Axelrod’s hilarious 1952 marital comedy, The Seven Year Itch on Dec. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. in Fenwick Theatre at the College of the Holy Cross. Tickets are $7 for the Holy Cross community and $10 for the general public.

The production follows the thoughts and fantasies of a middle-aged, married New Yorker as he works through a midlife crisis. After his wife of seven years and their child leave town for the summer, Richard Sherman finds himself alone in his Manhattan apartment with an upstairs neighbor who just happens to be a gorgeous woman in her 20’s. Boredom leads to temptation, and soon Richard is exercising his rusty dating skills. But will he succumb to a midlife crisis and scratch that "seven year itch"?

The play was turned into a 1955 film vehicle for Marilyn Monroe, but lost its structure and most of its charm in the process. The rarely-produced play is both more daring and sweeter in its depiction of the characters, while the famous fantasy sequences focus on more than just the girl upstairs, making for a far funnier and more satisfying show.

The Alternate College Theater is a student-run organization. All aspects of the production — from the directing to the lighting design — are done by Holy Cross students. Edward Elliott ’06 plays Richard, Kristen Fleming ’08 plays The Girl, while Tom Layman ’06 directs. Other members of the production staff include costume designer Katherine Fritz ’08, set designer Flynn Jebb ’06, and lighting designers Patrick Gavin ’06 and Michele Minora ’06. Rachel Mergens ’07 and Jennifer Goodell ’09 produce.

The Seven Year Itch is suitable for all audiences.

For press tickets or for more information, please contact Rachel Mergens at ramerg07@holycross.edu or call the ACT box office at 508-793-3536.