Poster art by Tiffany Eller.

FUNNIE: THE MOST LAMENTABLE COMEDIE OF JANE THE FOOLE

By Jessica Moss

MAY 20-29, 2026 | THE COMEDY LOUNGE

Directed by Jz Marrero

All Jane wants is to perform comedy. But she is struggling even to get stage time in the court of King Henry VIII, in 1533. Despite the support of her friend Anne Boleyn, Jane can’t break into the boys club of Tudor nightly entertainment – King Henry would rather see acts like Carl the Funny One, who makes wry observations about contemporary life, but who also is known to publicly masturbate. But Carl the Funny One has a degree of power, and an interest in Jane: which he uses to put her in a humiliating and upsetting situation.

When the event goes public, the court is divided, and as Carl makes half-hearted non-apologies, Jane still can’t get onstage – until she and Anne have finally had enough. In a world where you are inherently seen as less-than, what kind of justice is possible? How can you ever be seen as funny when you’re not really seen as a person? Inspired by the very short Wikipedia entry about Jane Foole, or Jane The Foole, the only female court jester ever depicted, and current events.

CAST

JANE (May 20-22): Rachel Fichtman

(May 24, 27-29): Lexi Johns

ANNE: Noel Nelson

CARL: Francisco Negrón

KING HENRY VIII: Sasha Allen-Grieve

GORLOCK: Matt Bunk

BESSIE: Tiffany Eller

LUCY: Jessie Carlson

WALLACE: Brock McDonald

PRODUCTION TEAM

STAGE MANAGER: Claire Barlow

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Maya Grubaugh

COSTUME DESIGNER: Jenny Sternling

LIGHTING DESIGNER: Cambra Thompson

SOUND DESIGNER: Ashley Mae Mattox

SCENIC DESIGNER: Dayna Smith

INTIMACY COORDINATOR: Sam Murphy

CHOREOGRAPHER: Yurek Hansen

DIALECT COACH/DRAMATURG: Tiara Thompson

PUPPET DESIGNER: Noel Nelson