“Flanagan’s Wake” reviewed by Carol Moore

Recommended *** If you’re looking for an evening of interactive improv with a theme, then “Flanagan’s Wake” is the show for you!   It’s a relaxed atmosphere at, with plenty of adult beverages available.   As is expected at an Irish wake, you’ll be saluting the deceased Flanagan with a libation.  It’s not the best show I’ve ever seen, but I had fun.  2 ½ Spotlights

“Flanagan’s Wake” takes place in the fictional town of Grapplin in County Sligo.  The locals have gathered to wake Flanagan, one of their own.  His fiancée of 29 years, Fiona Finn, his Mother Flanagan, his best friend, Brian Ballybunion, his business partner and Sligo’s best known writer, Mickey Finn, his parish priest, Father Damon Fitzgerald, Mayor/Bartender Martin O’Doule, and Kathleen Mooney.

This is not a scripted performance.  The cast plays off certain set guidelines, reacting to the input from the audience.  Some performances are going to be quite funny, others not so much, depending upon the audience.  On opening night, some of the audience cues were truly funny, others were downright stupid and/or vulgar. 

If you’re truly interested in what’s going on – and many people weren’t – you’ll have to listen carefully.  Chicago Theatre Works looks like it was a furniture store in a previous lifetime, so the acoustics are terrible.  Most of the actors are aware of this and try to speak loudly and clearly enough to be easily understood.  The actress playing Kathleen Mooney affects a high, kind of whiny voice, and I didn’t understand a word she said.

By the way, I didn’t mention names for any of the cast members because I couldn’t get them from anyone.  They’re not to be found online or in print!

Some of the funniest highlights:

• Mickey Finn’s one-line epic poem
• The boys who hired a narcolepsic taxi driver – they’re cheap (and Scottish)
• The story of Flanagan’s demise – he won a trip to Branson, overslept on the morning of his flight, ran after the plane, grabbed a hanging strap, pulled it, and was crushed by the falling luggage
• Father Fitzgerald’s Gospel story from the Book of Kevin
• The weasels never got on the Ark, they went off by themselves and became the Brits!
• The Mayor said that Flanagan could vote more than anyone, he was a district unto himself
• Fiona’s song about winning American Idol
• A improv song using things like birthday party, that strange thing at the Oscars, and more – all to the tune of Uptown Funky

“Flanagan’s Wake” is sharing the bill with “Tony and Tina’s Wedding so if you’ll see some white lights and garlands twined around the posts.  Frank Sinatra’s picture is still on the wall too.

“Flanagan’s Wake” is in an open run, with dates currently available through April 29^th, at Chicago Theatre Works, 1113 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.

These types of shows often have cast changes on a regular basis: here is the current list:

Running time is about 1 hour, 45 minutes, with an intermission.

The performance schedule varies.  Upcoming: Wednesdays, March 15^th & 29^th at 12:00 pm; Thursdays, March 9^th & 16^th at 8:00 pm; Fridays, March 17^th & 31^st, April 7^th, 21^st & 26^th at 8:00 pm; Saturday performances are March 11^th, 18^th, 25^th, April 1^st, 15^th and 29^th at 9:00 pm; and Sundays, March 12^th 8 April 9^th at 5:00 pm, March 26^th & April 23^rd at 7:00 pm.

Tickets range from $29-$34.  Limited paid parking is available at 3342 N. Seminary.  Purchase parking at www.chicagotheatreworks.com.

FYI (312) 391-0404 or www.chicagotheatreworks.com/flanagan-s-wake.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Flanagan’s Wake”.