ANNA MARIA – The Island Players 2025-26 community theater season is off to an excellent start with the Sept. 18-28 performances of the infidelity-inspired romantic comedy, “Janus.”
Written by Carolyn Green in 1955 and set in a New York City studio apartment in that same mid-1950s timeframe, the humorous, insightful, forward thinking, pre-women’s liberation movement storyline centers around two part-time novelists who leave their longtime spouses each summer to secretly spend their summers of marital infidelity together writing the commercially successful and financially lucrative “lusty, busty” historical novels published under their shared and secretive pen name, Janus.
“Janus” stars Island Players veteran Valerie Lipscomb as Jessica, the free-thinking, life-loving, romantically imaginative and idealistic Seattle resident who’s half of the successful writing tandem.
Larry Williams plays Denny, a considerate, intellectual and somewhat reserved Andover, Massachusetts, resident and French teacher whose meticulous research brings historical authenticity to the well-received Janus novels.
Former New York resident Sue Belvo plays Miss Addy, the cognac drinking, no-holds-barred, prototypical New Yorker who serves as the authors’ caring friend and money-loving literary agent.
Upon Jessica’s arrival, Ms. Addy pays a visit to couple to share good news about their growing literary success and continued financial windfalls and cautionary news about the investigative efforts of Mr. Harper, the hyper-devoted Internal Revenue Service agent in diligent search of possible income tax fraud violations.
In his portrayal of Mr. Harper, Island Players veteran Daniel Coppinger rekindles the same over-the-top comedic acting approach he showcased as a meddling Italian waiter in last year’s “Birthday Suite.”
The romantic troubles begin when Jessica’s husband of 18 years, Gil – a successful, assertive and politically connected shipping tycoon played by Rick Kopp – pays a surprise visit to her summer lodgings. Gil soon learns about his wife’s infidelities and finds himself feeling bewildered and angry while facing a marital crisis that seemed unimaginable on a day that began with him onboard a ship headed for his annual summer sojourn in South America.
When Mr. Harper arrives the following morning, Gil, Jessica and Dennis’ problems are compounded by accusations of income tax fraud. While trying to resolve their tax issues, Gil, Jessica and Dennis are forced to examine their own positions on love, marriage, fidelity, divorce, companionship and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.
With Jessica’s unwavering sense of feminine independence and her strong belief in love, marriage and the enjoyment of life taking center stage, “Janus” provides a well-acted, fast-paced, lighthearted but contemplative examination of love and happiness and the sacrifices and compromises sometimes required along the way.
“Love isn’t an apple you can give away or keep. It’s a climate you live in,” Jessica tells Gil when they’re discussing the future of their marriage.
“Janus” is directed by Mike Lusk and co-produced by the Ugly Grouper restaurant. Tickets for the remaining shows are $20-$30 and available online at the Islands Players website. Tickets can be purchased at the box office Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and before showtime if available. The Island Players theater is located at 10009 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. For more information call 941-778-5755.
After “Janus” concludes on Sept. 28, the next Island Players’ production will be “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas,” which will run from Nov. 13 through Nov. 23.
