I have an interview in Friday's 7 section with director Elizabeth Fiester about "Rough Crossing," the farce by Tom Stoppard now in its opening weekend at the 2nd Space Theatre. Here's a continuation of the interview:

The last Tom Stoppard play I saw in Fresno was "Arcadia," and the director literally compiled a study guide about all the intellectual concepts that the play addressed. Is "Rough Crossing" in the same brainy vein?

"Rough Crossing" is not talking about science or mathmatics. It is a single plot line always moving forward. However, Tom Stoppard is the playwright be prepared to expand your vocabulary. I always carry a dictionary with me, when doing Stoppard.

Who's your favorite character?

Hard to say, but I think it would be Dvornichek, the ship's steward. He's wonderfully earnest and absurd all at the same time.

What does it mean that Stoppard "freely adapted" the play from the Ferenc Molnar farce?

It means the basic plot line and characters are the same but the dialogue is all Stoppard.

What's one thing you hope audiences know beforehand about the theater so they're better able to get a particular joke?

I don't think there's a lot of insider references to theatre conventions. But it might be helpful to know that Shakespeare wrote The Merchant of Venice and Henry V.

As a long-time director, you've probably developed some techniques for pumping up a cast's energy level in a show such as this. What works?

Interesting question. I'm not really a pump you up kind of director. I don't do a lot of speeches or warm-up exercises. I expect the actor to come in ready to play.

Talk a little about each of your cast members and the characters they play.

The driving force in the play is the character of Sandor Turai, one of the two playwrights. He is played by Gordon Moore in our production. We are in great hands with Gordon. I can't say enough about his quick wit and comic abilities. Alex Gal. the other playwright, is played by Henry Montelongo. Henry also has a wonderful comic sense, and he is a perfect balance to Gordon. Dvornicek, the ship's steward played by Jason Wells, is hard to describe -- it's Dvornicek first voyage, he doesn't have his sea legs, he drinks a lot of cognac and he also has an uncanny ability to make sense of the plot. Jason has done a great job creating this character - you'll have to come and see what I mean. Adam Adam the composer, played by Andrew Cardillo, has some challenging physical requirements to his character. We have gone through many changes in the rehearsal process. Andrew is so easy to work with. He'll try anything and the work has paid off. The two stars of "The Cruise of the Dodo" are Natasha Navratolva, played by Amelia Ryan, and Ivor Fish, played by Tom Janecek, are playing characters that are used to having their way because of their star status. Amelia and Tom have done a fantastic job of making these two characters funny and likeable. Plus, you'll get to hear Amelia sing and that's a plus.

What's more challenging for you to direct: a light-hearted farce such as this or a tense drama?

For me every piece is challenging because it's always a challenge to honor the playwright. It isn't the genre that makes it challenging - it's the storyline. My challenge is to make sure I have given the actors everything they need to tell the story the best way they can.

How do the technical aspects of the show (lighting, set, sound design) fit together in this show? Is it tough to depict a "rough crossing" on dry land?

It is tough to depict a "rough crossing" but I think we've come up with some amusing "effects." Our design team has given me everything I've asked for, and more, to help tell the story. We're not just trying to create a rough crossing, but a time period (mid 1930's) and a look of affluence. I think Costumes, Set, Lighting and Sound have all come together very nicely.

What do you hope audiences walk away from the play with?

A belly laugh.

Anything else you'd like to say about the production or the play?

"Rough Crossing" is like watching a great Marx Brothers mixed with a Monty Python routine. And it doesn't get any simpler or more amusing than that. I can't think of a better way to get out of the heat.