'The Play's the Thing' Story Code '67301' by Beverly Bridges

9th September 1969: Sam leaps into the body of Joe Furlough, a twenty-five year-old struggling actor and toy-boy of Jane Lindhurst, a woman twice his age. Sam’s problems begin when he is found in bed with Jane by her son, Neil, and his wife Liz; his attempts to win their favour are met with an icy reception, and they refuse to entertain his belief that Jane has a promising singing career ahead of her. Al informs Sam that in two days time, Jane’s family will make her leave New York and return to a life of dull, unloved domesticity in Cleveland; not only that, but Joe is currently performing in a doomed art house production of ‘Hamlet’, consigning him to a life of ‘extra’ work before going into real estate. Things get worse when Neil and Liz take Jane out for a birthday meal at the Black Light Nightclub: first Sam clashes with Ted, a friend of Jane’s who has his sights set on marrying her; and then his attempt to encourage Jane to sing leaves her frozen with nerves in front of the crowd. The following evening, Sam goes on stage to perform ‘Hamlet’ – only to be told by the wacky director that his cast must perform nude…

Scott Bakula (Doctor Samuel ‘Sam’ Beckett), Dean Stockwell (Rear Admiral Albert ‘Al’ Calavicci), Penny Fuller (Jane Lindhurst), Daniel Roebuck (Neil Lindhurst), Anna Gunn (Liz Lindhurst), Robert Pine (Ted Guest), Craig Richard (Nelson Director), Eva Loseth (Petra), Paul Collins (Rob Novack), Deem Bristow (King), Will Schaub (Joe Thurlow / Mirror)

Directed by Eric Laneuville
Executive Producer Donald P. Bellisario

TX (US): 8th January 1992

Notes:
*Featuring Doctor Samuel ‘Sam’ Beckett and Rear Admiral Albert ‘Al’ Calavicci