Move over, it's the original desperate housewives

Forget Edie, Susan, Lynette, Bree and Gabrielle and move over for the original Desperate Housewives.

Leave it to Cleavage, the original Desperate Housewives produced by Rock Paper Scissors is making its way to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 22.

This group of ridiculously perky 1950s housewives are looking to install the virtues of the good ole days through improvised scenes using audience suggestions and volunteers.

Want to know how to make a marriage last? Cook a roast? Keep your neighbour off your lawn? No problem is too big for Leave it to Cleavage that it cannot be solved with a perky attitude and a matching satin party dress. Leave it to Cleavage knows just how hard it is to be a modern woman and they know just how to make it better - with some good old fashioned improvised common sense -and a martini.

Together Diana Frances, Christine Lippa and Ellie Harvie are wickedly funny complete with matching satin gowns and aquanet held coifs.

Frances has been a staple of the Vancouver comedy scene for more than 12 years and is managing director of Rock Paper Scissors. She has written and performed sketch comedy shows on the Comedy Network, including "Slightly Bent TV" and "Sucker Punch" and was re- occurring character on the Comedy Network's Point Blank. She is also an award-winning writer for CBC Radio.

A 10-year veteran of the Vancouver Theatre Sports League, Frances has also entertained Canadian Peacekeepers in Bosnia, Israel and Egypt and currently teaches sketch comedy writing at The Vancouver Film School. She has done original comedy scripts and sketches for clients such as Tourism B.C., Tourism Halifax, and The Jack Webster Awards.

Ellie Harvie is recognized as one of Canada's top improv and comedic actors. She became involved with the Vancouver Theatre Sports League, which led to top honours at the Just For Laughs improv tournament and a gold medal at CBC's Improv Olympics.

Harvie was planning to become a lawyer when fate intervened. She won an acting contest in drama class and that sparked the realization that her dreams lay elsewhere. Her stage performances have included: Poor Superman, Queens, The Versailles Impromptu and Imaginary Invalid where she shared the 1997 Jessie Award for Best Ensemble. Harvie has also won a Leo award for her role of Morticia Addams from The New Addams Family TV Series.

Leave it to Cleavage, the original Desperate Housewives takes the stage at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.

Tickets to see Leave it to Cleavage are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $15 for students and are available at Ticket Seller, 549- SHOW (7469).

Tickets may also be purchased online by visiting the Ticket Seller website at www.ticketseller.ca. Discounts are available for Vernon and District Performing Arts Society Members.

Copyright 2003 vernon