***** There is nothing quite like a British comedy. I, for one, love the farcical humor, the door slamming, the outrageous situations and tonight, at Steppenwolf Theater’s “Downstairs Theater”, I was witness to another version of one of my all- time favorite comedies, “Noises Off”. This classic farce written by Michael Frayn is a joint production with the Geffen Playhouse ( A California theater company).This is the third time I have seen this particular show. The first time was in New York on Broadway, with an all-star cast including Patti Lupone. I was in stitches. The second time was at Windy City Playhouse on Irving Park where instead of having a rotating stage, we, the audience , wend backstage for the second act- awkward, but it worked! The Steppenwolf edition, directed to perfection by Anna D. Shapiro is a perfect set (Todd Rosenthal) and does the rotation to start the second act. Yes, this is a three act play that has a running time of one hundred and forty-five minutes , including two 10 minute intermissions.(note: that equals two hours and 25 minutes).
The story is a play within a play. The cast and crew of a play called “Nothing On” are trying to prepare for their opening night. While they are working hard to get the show right, they still have problems with lines, blocking and in general putting everything in perspective. There are missed cues, love triangles, backstage romances and jealousies. All in all, a very funny evening of theater comedy that makes fun of theater people by having some of the best of the best play these idiotic inane characters ( or are they truly caricatures).
Watching the story unfold, or should I stories is a true hoot. Even though I knew what to expect, Shapiro has made some personal changes and the cast assembled is one terrific team. They do all the slapstick with a style and grace that takes great skill to pull off. Andrew Leeds as Gary is amazing. The agility he shows in some of the pratfalls and hops he does are absolutely amazing. I am positive that he will need a stay in a rehab center after the run of this play. Ora Jones, one of Chicago’s finest, takes on the Dotty role with just the right touch ( this was the role Lupone played, and I believe Jones topped what we saw on Broadway).
James Vincent Meredith, who is known for his dramatic work shows another side that is powerful and very funny as does Francis Guinan as the alcoholic aged actor/burglar. There are some wild chases in the second act ( backstage) involving a bottle of scotch and these performers. Wild and wooly. Speaking of wild, Audrey Francis as Belinda/Flavia is one funny lady, She runs after the liquor bottle and during the backstage, second act, we truly get a glimpse of her comic timing. Amanda Fink, Vaneh Assadourian ( Poppy), Rick Holmes ( the director) and Max Stewart round out an ensemble that is about as perfect in comic timing as one will ever see. This show depends on perfect timing to keep the audience into the story and action- these folks have it down perfect!
The costumes ( Izumi Inaba), lighting ( Josh Epstein), sound (Cricket Myers), violence design ( R & D Choreography) are all right on. It is hard to believe but this particular play has been pleasing audiences since 1982 ( over 40 years) and based on what our world is going through right now, this may be the perfect time to take your loved ones to Steppenwolf for a great escape from reality and just have fun. You will! Not sure who did the props-wow!!!
“Noises Off” will continue thru November 3rd with performances as follows:
Tuesdays 7:30pmWednesdays 7:30pm
Thursdays 7:30pm
Fridays 7:30pm
Saturdays 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays 3:00pm
Sun, Nov 3:2:00pm
ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES:
Audio-Described/Touch Tour: Sunday 10/13 at 3 p.m. ( 1:30 for touch tour)
Open-Captioned , Saturday, 10/12 at 3 p.m. AND 10/17 at 7:30 p.m.
ASL-Interpreted Friday 10/18 7:30 p.m.
Relaxed-Sensory-Friendly, Saturday 10/19 at 3 p.m.
Show Type: Comedy
Box Office: 312-335-1650
Steppenwolf Theater ( Downstairs Theater) is located at 1650 N. Halsted in Chicago
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Noises Off”.
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