Liberty Free satirizes U.S. financial follies

LIBERTY, NY — The Liberty Free Theatre will premier “Mr. Schimbler and the Polltaker,” a new comedy written and directed by Paul Austin, starting Thursday, April 23 and continuing through May 3. The play examines what might happen in the future if the country goes bankrupt tomorrow. Performances will be held Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Admission for the performance is free. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. The audience is invited to gather after the performance for food, drink, and music. The theatre is located at 109 South Main Street, Liberty.

“Mr. Schimbler and the Polltaker” tells the story of what happens when an immigrant is asked by a young woman to answer some questions for a national survey, set in a future sometime after the world economy has collapsed. The play features performances by Austin and Kyrce Swenson. Alexis Siroc has designed the set and Jon-Jon Thomas the lights.

Swenson has appeared at the Liberty Free Theatre in a variety of Liberty Free Theatre shows, as well as various NYC and upstate productions, including appearances as Abigail in “The Crucible” and Freda in the zombie musical “Liv N Dead.” Austin’s many appearances in films, television and theatre include Law and Order and West Wing. His play, “Artificial Light,” was chosen recently as a runner up in the national Canadian-Jewish Play competition.

The production was made possible in part by a Sullivan County Arts and Heritage Grant funded by the Sullivan County Legislature.

For more information call 845/292-3788.