DANVILLE - Red Mask Players begins the New Year with "Dr. Cook's Garden," a production that entertains while raising serious questions about ethics and morality.

Director Mike Boedicker, a well-read movie buff, knew Ira Levin's work. Best known for "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Stepford Wives," Levin also wrote "Dr. Cook's Garden."

"This script has inexplicably never achieved the recognition it deserves," Boedicker said.

"Dr. Cook's actual garden is a metaphor for how he sees the town. He nurtures the flowers, but he wants the weeds removed."

The director said he believes in his "incredibly talented and seasoned cast. I'm confident that they'll deliver."

The Broadway stage version of "Dr. Cook's Garden" starred Burl Ives in the title role; Bing Crosby played Dr. Leonard Cook in the film version.

Sonny Downing, a Red Mask veteran, portrays the older doctor in the local production.

John Dowers, who first appeared on the Red Mask stage when he was 5, plays Cook's protege Dr. Jim Tennyson. The younger doctor returns to his perfect hometown in Vermont in 1966 after medical school and discovers a terrible secret behind the town's idyllic fa?ade.

Downing and Dowers share a real-life mutual admiration that mirrors their onstage relationship. "We've both been in several of the same productions over the years," Downing said, "but it still hasn't been enough time together."

Downing said, "The energy you get onstage is what you feed off as an actor. When you work with someone like John, who provides a lot of positive energy, it drives you. It's a give and take."

Dowers returned the compliment, saying, "These two characters in the play have a long history of respect and love. I don't have to act to show that toward Sonny. I have a genuine admiration for him."

Although neither Downing nor Dowers was familiar with the play beforehand, both auditioned after reading and liking the script. "This play doesn't fit into any one category," Dowers said.

Downing agreed, saying, "This show is complex, but so is life. It's a brilliantly written piece."

Both expect that audiences will react to the show on several levels. "People will be entertained during the performances," Dowers said, "but when they think about it afterwards, they'll get the full impact."

Downing added, "There are thought patterns that cross through all of our minds, but we push them aside. This play explores some of these issues."

Red Mask veterans Sharon Tipsword and Rick Prentice also appear in "Dr. Cook's Garden." Debbie Rousseau makes her onstage debut in the play and completes the cast.

Boedicker has been involved with Red Mask since he and his wife Leslie moved to Danville five years ago. Both have appeared onstage at the Kathryn Randolph Theatre and worked behind the scenes in many other Red Mask productions.

Boedicker works as Danville Public Library's audio-visual librarian and Webmaster.

Coming up

Red Mask Players will present "Dr. Cook's Garden" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Kathryn Randolph Theatre, 601 N. Vermilion St. Other show dates are Jan. 21-23, 28 and 29.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m.

Call 442-5858 for reservations. For further information, visit http://www.redmaskplayers.com.