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Open Stage does comedy justice |
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Written by Andra Coberly
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Thursday, 15 November 2007 |
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 There is an increasing decay taking place on stage. The actors of “Nothing On” are breaking down, their eyes wide with confusion or tears, their heart rates increasing as they pull the lingerie off their heads and the cacti needles from their rear.
At first, it’s just forgotten lines and missing props—but then chaos ensues. Axes fly, bottles of booze are flung about and drained into actors’ stomachs as they wait for their cue, and sardines are ... well ... everywhere.
“Nothing On” is surely funny to the audiences that witness this play gone wild, as actors fling themselves on stage, falling down stairs and over couches.
The antics are also extremely funny for those who have seen Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off,” now being put on by OpenStage Theatre & Co. Within the British farce, a troupe of actors are followed as they prepare for and put on an odd little show called “Nothing On.” But things go wrong. The cast is a sometimes dopey, sometimes boozy, sometimes naughty bunch. They are just like real actors—just a bit wackier.
The physical humor, staging and pacing of “Noises Off” make it much like performing surgery, things must happen in the right place just at the right time. And the characters must come through with force and personality, bringing humor from the moment they step on stage, presenting likable, flawed characters who break down into likable and exhausted, panicked or murderous characters. And it all must be done with a natural charm.
OpenStage does it all well. And there is reciprocity from the audience, which is often roaring with laughter. In Act 2, which OpenStage nails with director Judith Allen’s keen eye for pacing and staging the non-stop antics, one understands why Frayn’s farce can be comedic magic when done well and awkward and possibly embarrassing when in lesser hands.
OpenStage’s production is never embarrassing and rarely awkward. It’s truly funny and has a huge amount of heart. Frayn obviously cared for these characters, who are likely based on actors he had known through his career. He found humor in their faults and he helps the audience empathize with all of them from the start.
While the antics and action on stage get complicated, the story on stage is fairly simple. “Noises Off” follows a theater company during their run of “Nothing On.” While the actors do one last rehearsal before opening night, it becomes obvious that the cast has already gotten to know each other .... well. The feisty director has bedded at least two actresses. Dotty, the older actress playing the part of Mrs. Clacket, and young actor Garry are also an item. The castmembers begin to show their personalities—foreshadowing the chaos to come.
In Act 2, the stage has turned: backstage becomes front. The cast’s relationships have fallen apart, jealous rages erupt all over the place. And by Act 3, the actors can barely complete the show, tired and pissed.
By the second act, the Noises Off cast is rolling. The comedy is natural, a catalyst to the wave of laughter from the audience.
As Dotty, Denise Burson Freestone is wonderful to follow through the show. She is dynamic and ultra-emotive, her development into the third act is refreshing. L. Michael Scovel as Lloyd is the show’s blusterous director. His sarcasm and angst are great—though, it’s hard to see the charm that attracts his several lovers. Eric W. Corneliuson as Garry is cleverly dumb-founded and sputtering. Corneliuson’s performance is laugh-out-loud funny, as he expressively searches for words when there is no script. Nikki Gibbs, playing the wide-eyed, scantily clad Brooke, brings an almost innocent and wonderfully endearing charisma to her character, starring off into space or constantly losing her lenses. Sydney Parks gives an unbridled livelihood to Belinda, making her the good-hearted gossip who is ready for an old-fashioned brawl. Kurt Brighton, with his pants around his ankles and his sensitive nose always about to bleed, plays Frederick with a thoughtful self-deprecation and cluelessness. Tomas Herrera as Tim and Brenna A. Freestone as Poppy both make solid appearances as the backstage crew. And Bruce K. Freestone plays a great drunk as Selsdon, gruff and hard of hearing.
In the midst of the show, the Noises Off cast, some of the area’s most talented comedic actors, works well together and they seem to enjoy the spirit of the show, making a bit of fun at theater’s expense.
Though, as Frayn makes clear, what’s happening backstage may be even more entertaining. That’s where all the good stuff happens.
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TO GO
See the show Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 1 and Sundays (Nov. 18 and 25) and Thursday ( Nov. 29) at the Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St.,
Fort Collins. Call 221.6730 for tickets and information. | Only registered users can write comments.
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