Hamden Director Leads Town Players of New Canaan’s Winter Show

Hamden’s comedy director Chris Peterson loves to entertain audiences and make them laugh, and he'll have that opportunity this weekend when the Town Players of New Canaan’s winter show, "Love, Sex and the I.R.S." opens Friday.   

The play is about the ridiculous complications that arise from a scheme to pay lower taxes, Peterson said.

“It’s fun to poke fun at the I.R.S. and the system,” he said.

“This show is so much fun for a cold winter night or Sunday afternoon - escape from preparing your income taxes--or just plain come to laugh for no reason at all!” said producer Patrick Kiley.  

Peterson received a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Elmira College and for the past three seasons he’s been directing at the Eastbound Theatre in Milford with productions of "Private Lives, Crimes of the Heart," and "Boeing, Boeing."  

From 2002-2004 he served as Artistic Director for the Stars of the Night Musical Theatre Company in Horseheads, NY.  Mr. Peterson also is assistant director of admissions at St. Joseph College in Hartford.

Love, Sex and the I.R.S. is about Jon Trachtman and Leslie Arthur, out of work musicians who room together in New York City. To save money, Jon has been filing tax returns listing them as married, taking advantage of the spelling of Leslie’s name to make him appear as a her.

The day of reckoning comes when I.R.S. agent Floyd Spinner arrives at the door to investigate the "couple." Leslie masquerades as a housewife, aided by Jon's fiancée, Kate. Complicating matters Leslie and Kate have fallen in love behind Jon's back, Jon's mother flies in unexpectedly to meet her son's fiancée, and Leslie's slighted girlfriend shows up demanding to know why Leslie has changed and won't see her anymore.  In a light hearted dénouement, all ends well.

Performances will take place at the Powerhouse Theatre, Waveny Park, New Canaan on , with Sunday matinees on

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.  To reserve seats, call (203) 966-7371 or go to info@tpnc.org.