Aetna Gallagher is Madame Bovary (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas)

West Philly’s Curio Theatre Company‘s final performance of the season, a laugh-filled retelling of Gustav Flaubert’s classic novel Madame Bovary, premieres this Friday (April 28).

Yes, that’s right – laugh-filled. Entitled The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary, the play is the North America debut of an adaption of Flaubert’s work by Peepolykus, a UK based touring company.

As you may know, Madame Bovary tells the story of a 19th century marriage in the north of France. The story’s got intrigue, passion and adultery. What it didn’t have is whimsy – until now. The work retells the tragic story of Emma Bovary in a way that may remind theatergoers of Curio’s hilarious adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles in 2013. Peepolykus also wrote that play. 

The cast includes Andrew Blasenak, Chase Byrd, Aetna Gallagher and Doug Greene. The director is John Bellomo. Paul Kuhn designed the set, Conner Bahm the sound and Gallaghger the costumes. Ebeth Campbell designed the sets and Georgia Thwaites is the assistant stage manager.

All performances are at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from April 28 to May 20. Two preview performances will be held on Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27, and an industry performance will be held on Monday, May 17. 

Buy tickets here.