Fast paced. Romantic. Outrageous. “The Lively Lad: A Play with Music” opens June 28 at Vassar’s Powerhouse Theater

Clea Lewis, star of the ABC TV series "Ellen," will play the role of Little Eva Van Huffle in Quincy Long's satirical romantic comedy "The Lively Lad: A Play with Music." "Lively Lad," a Vassar/New York Stage and Film production, opens at the Powerhouse Theater on the Vassar College campus on June 28 and runs through July 15.

Lewis will star as the adolescent daughter of a philandering stockbroker in this extravagant turn-of-the-(20th)century fast-paced comedy and outrageous farce. She is best known as Audrey Penney, Ellen DeGeneres's well-meaning - but idiotic - best friend in the controversial television series. Theatergoers will be introduced to 17 new songs and a large cast of characters in this musical play.

Some of Long's previous works include "Shaker Heights," which was nominated for a 1994 Outer Circle Drama Critics playwriting award and "The Virgin Molly," which was runner-up for a Kesselring Prize.

Max Mayer, producing director and cofounder of New York Stage and Film will direct "Lively Lad". He has directed Powerhouse summer productions of Lee Blessing's "Chesapeake," starring Mark Linn-Baker; Eric Overmeyer's "Dark Rapture;" and George F. Walker's "Nothing Sacred" and "Filthy Rich" (each of which moved on to New York premieres); as well as Walker's "Tough" and "Escape from Happiness." Mayer's Off-Broadway premieres include John Patrick Shanley's "the dreamer examines his pillow," Andrew Bergman's "Working Title," Joan Cassademont's "Maids of Honor," Richard Kreuolin's "Boychick," and Harry Kondoleon's "Self-Torture and Strenuous Exercise" and "The Fairy Garden." His play "Sleeping Hippo" was produced off-Broadway in 1996. Along with partners Leslie Urdang and Linn-Baker, he founded the New York Stage and Film Company in 1987. In 1998, he directed his first feature film "Better Living."

Single ticket prices for mainstage productions are $25. Season tickets are also available. For more information call the box office (after June 6) at (845) 437-7235/5599. For a taped message on show times, call the Special Info Line at (845) 437-7645 or visit the Web site at This article was posted on Wednesday, June 28th, 2000.