THIS PLAY IS A DISASTER - BUT THE BEST HOLIDAY FUN IN TOWN
'THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG' IS NON STOP SLAPSTICK MAKES THIS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY TREAT WITH NON STOP GIGGLES IN TRUE MARX BROTHERS FORM
Review by Vince Mediaa
A perfect way to celebrate your holiday theatre season, check into “The Murder at Haversham Manor” now on stage only through December 17th at the San Jose Stage Company. “The Play That Goes Wrong,” one of Broadway’s longest-running comedies, is a play within a play. The stumbling-tumbling fiascos begin when the fictional Rogue Valley Drama Society premier their newest production, a 1920s whodunit. From the moment you take your seat you can see the Cornely University Drama Society roaming the San Jose venue preparing for the opening night performance. A “Noises Off” “Benny Hill” for a new generation. Artist Director Randall King says this is just in time for the holidays “we are thrilled to present The Play That Goes Wrong, with a talented ensemble of actors and an exceptional creative team, this uproarious farce guarantees plenty of laughter and surprises and is the perfect entertainment for the holiday season.”
This Broadway hit is in “Marx Brothers” form that will choke you with laughs for two straight hours. Written by the Mischief Theatre team of Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer, and locally directed by the clever Kenneth Kelleher. The theatrical spoof first performed in London Pubs won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2015. The comedy had a successful West End and Broadway run.
This company features a tight cast of hilarious actors that have mastered comic timing. While slapstick can sometimes be repetitive and predictable, the choreography and Kelleher’s direction is terrific. As well as Micheal Storm’s fight direction and frat falls. One of the best features of this toss and tumble comedy is Robert Pickerings set design that is definitely the 9th actor in this cast of eight players. The set has to breath with the show and story breaking apart and getting more laughs than some or the shticks among the cast.
The story loosely follows a play-within-a-play presented by a university drama society stages a 1920s mystery. A series of mishaps destroys opening night. The cast of clowns supports “the show must go on” theme and continues their failed performance that becomes a perfect on stage comedy. There's so much that is clever and surprising you really don't know what will happen next. But I do feel the joke ends by the first act. Yet seeing the 2nd act is more about Pickering’s janky explosive set that constantly steals each comic bit.
The cast is solid with a standout performances by the convincing Jonathan Rhys Williams as Chris, who also appears as the Inspector. Pickering’s set does become the lead in this Monty Python shootout. So much of the set has to match the actors timing and constant pratfalls. Timing is everything and the excellent mix of design, stagehand fails, and the actors' screwball perfection makes this explosion of comedy eye candy. The high spirited cast also includes eight solid talents featuring the sharp Nick Mandracchia as the stage manager perched above the set watching the show fail. The campy Maggie Mason as Sandra the diva actress who takes some evil pratfalls. This keeps her off stage so her understudy Annie played by the lively Vivienne Troung can spill her script into the audience.
Local favorite Keith Pinto is perfect as the butler Dennis, alongside the extraordinary Will Springhorn Jr. as Robert and Thomas Collymore. The superb Sean Okuniewicz plays Max and shows off his pompous acting to a loving audience that encourages his ego. And finally the flawless Johnny Moreno pays Jonathan the murder victim who lies dead for most of the two hour romp - until his final moment and prize winning closing line. Costumes by Ashley Garlick included dapper earth tones for the men and a bright red frock for Sandras diva inspiration. Kimberly Mohne Hill dialect coach kept the company eccentric british. Stage Manager IIiana Karbowski has a huge task of wrangling the cast versus the live action set that was non-stop upstaging the show.
There are so many physical gags in the show each tops the next shtick. Director Kelleher key was making it look like things are dangerously going wrong without any real danger. For the audience, the danger might be severe laughing. The Saturday afternoon matinee was crowded with families and the young kids loved the clowning. Be sure to be in your seat early to see the crew attempt to repair the crumbling set. Don’t miss a moment of the comedy’s silliness. Then follow the actors during intermission to the outer lobby for more bits of constant humor and improv. How can something that goes so wrong be so right.
SAN JOSE STAGE COMPANY presents
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields
Directed by Kenneth Kelleher
Set Designed by Robert Pickering
Now Extended through December 17, 2023
San Jose Stage Company,
490 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 2 hours with intermission
TICKETS: $44 - $84 at http://www.thestage.org/tickets
Photos by DAVE LEPORI
Director: Kenneth Kelleher. Scenic Designer: Robert Pickering. Costume Designer: Ashley Garlick. Lighting Designer: Maurice Vercoutere. Sound Designer: Steve Schoenbeck. Properties Designer: Jenn Trampenau. Fight Choreographer: Michael Storm. Dialect Coach: Kimberly Mohne Hill
THE COMPANY
Annie: Vivienne Truong. Trevor: Nick Mandrachia. Chris/Inspector Carter: Jonathan Rhys Williams. Jonathan/Charles Haversham: Johnny Moreno. Robert/Thomas Colleymore: Will Springhorn Jr. Dennis/Perkins: Keith Pinto. Max/Arthur The Gardener: Sean Okuniewicz. Sandra / Florence Colleymore: Maggie Mason.
