It’ll be a love fest both on and off stage when New Stages Theatre gathers a troupe of local talent to perform in Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome.
Kerry Griffin, Megan Murphy, Kate Suhr, and Linda Kash will all be joining a staged reading of the hilarious and heartfelt comedy written by Jane Cooper Ford, which had its world premiere with a sold-out, held-over run in 2024 by Stratford’s Here for Now Theatre.
Directed by New Stages artistic director Mark Wallace, the staged reading runs for two performance on Saturday, May 2 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough.
In its catchy title, the play’s premise is laid out for audiences: a successful and serious middle-aged couple, Paul and Linda (played by Griffin and Murphy) have hit a rut in their marriage and decide to spice it up by planning a threesome — much in the way one might plan a dinner party. But, beneath the innuendos, there’s a story that celebrates love in all its shapes and forms.
“I don’t think either of them are quite ready for it and everything it entails,” says Griffin of the proposed ménage à trois. “It’s about that journey of discovering everything that comes to the surface and realizing some things about themselves. I think the threesome is just a vessel for the self-discovery that entails for all of them.”
Murphy agrees, noting the title gets audiences in the seats, but it’s the relatability of the characters that will keep them engaged. When reading the script the first time, she was drawn to how her titular character has to ask herself who she is and what she really wants.
“They are such an overachieving couple that have been very successful in the world and their careers, and outwardly it would look like they have everything together,” Murphy says. “But you’ve been building your resume for cocktail parties and then you have a moment where you go, ‘What is my resume on the inside?'”
“There is that true heart of these two people really trying to say, ‘How are we going to save this thing that’s important to us and not abandon ourselves?'” Murphy adds. “She (Linda) thinks initially she can do it with a clipboard and a list of things — that if she gets this and that right, and if the cushions are done exactly right, this will all go according to plan. Well, nothing goes according to plan, and I think that’s great.”
Griffin and Murphy both say it’s these heartfelt and relatable moments throughout the show that make the suggestive jokes and mishaps even more impactful.
“If everything’s total comedy, then it’s not as funny,” Griffin points out. “You need some real honest and dramatic moments to make the comedy even more funny because then it’s more unexpected and it’s more of a contrast. We’ve got to find that emotional or human truth that everyone can relate to, and that’s when the comedy is even stronger.”
In reflecting on her character’s internalized question “What do I want?”, Murphy knows how she would answer the question.
“I want to just really connect with people, so for me to be able to answer Linda’s question and to go on that journey in the play, and to do it in a way that is playful and a bit whimsical and joyful and a bit risqué, is fun for me,” she says. “I want to make good, fun art with people I love for people I love, and so it’s a no-brainer for me to do this play.”
Speaking of people she loves, Murphy is also joined on stage by Suhr playing the role of Sienna, who the couple finds online to help them realize their goal, and Kash playing the role of Paul’s sister Gwen, who throws a wrench in the threesome plan.
All four actors are New Stages veterans, with Murphy and Griffin having worked together most recently for the theatre company’s holiday staged reading of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play last December.
“He (Griffin) is one of the best performers I’ve ever worked with and one of the best improvisers I’ve ever worked with, because he’s so present and he’s so smart and he’s so quick and calm,” Murphy says. “As a performer, you always feel safe with him. I always feel safe with Linda (Kash) when we improvise too, so I know no matter what, we’re going to be okay.”
According to Griffin, Wallace took advantage of the improv skills of the actors for the comedic elements of the play.
“My background for theatre was originally through Second City and Second City is obviously almost 100 per cent improv-based, where we’re creating stuff purely through improv,” Griffin says, “Mark brings a lot of that, even through a scripted work, where he wants us to play and improvise through things and discover. I love that aspect of his sense and willingness to explore and try stuff.”
“His vision for New Stages and where he is taking the company, and the growth and the life that’s been infused into it over the last few years, is really wonderful for Peterborough and for the group of artists that are living here as well,” adds Murphy.
Despite the play’s suggestive title, Murphy and Griffin assure there will be nothing more risqué than suggestive language and perhaps a kiss on stage. That said, there is a content advisory for strong and explicit language and mature themes and the show is recommended for audience members 16 years of age and older.
With everything going on in the world right now, Murphy says “We are in a time where people want to be in communion with each other” and suggests Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome is a great way to do that.
“It’ll be a nice way to sit with neighbours, laugh your head off, and think a little bit about your own life.”
Rounding out the creative time are stage manager Shannon McKenzie LeBlanc, costume and set designer Jen Naus, and intimacy coordinator Greg Carruthers. The show is presented by the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.
With all fees included, tickets for Paul and Linda Plan a Threesome cost $34, with a $24 “welcome rate” for those who need it and a $44 “pay it forward” rate for those who can afford to help cover the cost of the welcome rate.
Tickets can be purchased at the Market Hall box office at 140 Charlotte Street, by calling 705-749-1146, or online at tickets.markethall.org.
kawarthaNOW is proud to be media sponsor of New Stages Theatre Company’s 2025-26 season.
