The Lopez Community Theater production opening on May 2 will be “Volpone,” or The Fox, a classic but seldom performed comedy by Shakespeare’s contemporary and friend, Ben Jonson. The production will be directed by Meredith and Steve Young, a father-daughter team. Steve has been an actor in a number of Lopez productions, and this marks his return to directing after many years. Meredith has joined the team from Los Angeles, where, after graduating from Cal Arts with a degree in directing, she has been working as an editor in film and television.

The cast includes both seasoned veterans of the Lopez Theater like Josh Eide, George Keeler, and Mary Wondra, and introduces some newcomers, notably Kestrel Arps, and Mike Hobi, as Corvino.

“Volpone” is a timely satirical play which brings to life the ridiculous antics of characters who will do anything in their pursuit of wealth, and presents what may be the earliest example in literature of the Ponzi scheme.

Two con men played by Kestrel Arps, and Mosca, his side-kick, played by Josh Eide, pretend that Volpone is fabulously wealthy, deathly ill and has no heirs. Wealthy Venetians (and a silly English tourist) visit Volpone daily, bringing him gifts, encouraged by Mosca to believe that they will inherit all Volpone’s treasure.

As Mosca and his patron devise ever more complicated schemes to fleece and humiliate their victims, more and more characters are drawn into the scam, until they all end up in court, and justice (of a kind) is done. Jonson’s brilliant language reveals a group of complex characters that move beyond comic stereotypes and reveal, in their twisted dreams and frantic stratagems, how the desire for wealth can degrade an entire community.

All performances will be at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, from Thursday May 2 through Sunday May 5 at 7:30 p.m., with a special matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday May 5.

General Admission Tickets: $15, available for advance sale at Paper, Scissors on the Rock, Blossom, and Islehaven Books. All proceeds from the production will benefit The Lopez Historical Society. Suitable for ages 13 and up.