By Liz Eichler
Timing.
A truly great production of The Play That Goes Wrong needs impeccable timing to succeed. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production, which runs through August 10, shows professionalism in so many ways. If you need a laugh, and everyone needs a laugh these days, The Play That Goes Wrong is the perfect show for giggles, guffaws, and belly laughs.
The Plot of The Play That Goes Wrong
A small theatrical group is putting on a play, a whodunit, set in Haversham Manor, on the eve of an engagement party. Everything that can go wrong does for this theatre troupe, from the set falling apart, doors not opening, actors smacking into scenery, lighting and sound miscues–and even a lost dog.
The play, written by brits Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer, won the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2015. It was on Broadway from 2017-2019 and has since seen multiple productions from college to community to regional theatre.
This type of show is Director Brian Isaac Phillips’ specialty. He knows how to use the whole space, ensure the pacing is brisk, and always asks his actors for more. He includes the audience, and treats us to a multi-layered presentation, as the CSC performers must play actors playing a role. Major props to the Stage Management team who ensure the impeccable timing necessary for this run: Cole Sweasy, Production Stage Manager and Danitza Piper, ASM. Also, Gina Cerimele-Mechley as Fight Coordinator certainly added to the impeccable timing needed for both the clever sword fighting and comic tussles.
Production Elements
Set designer Samantha Reno honors the original production design–due to many detailed technical requirements–but adds her signature bright whimsical tone to the decor. She, Technical Director Chris Halloway and the build team ensure the actors can trust that the scenery demise does not end in injury. Lighting (Alice Trent) and Sound (Chris Guthrie) are perfectly–or imperfectly–on point. The era appropriate clothing (Rainy Edwards) must take a beating, yet is so well fitting and is full of rich jewel tones. All of the set pieces and props are wonderful, but a minor quibble is the warning label on the squeeze bottle can’t be seen from the balcony.
Performers
But what does read from the balcony, and all the way down to Washington Park, are the broad physical antics of the cast. From spit takes to pratfalls, the performers provide the Three Stooges style humor that makes even the most reserved audiences tear up with laughter. This is a true ensemble, with CSC regulars showing their talents. Billy Chace, Cary Davenport, Jeremy Dubin, Matthew Lewis Johnson, Montez Jenkins Copeland and Kelly Mengelkoch are all part of the “play,” with Sylvester Little Jr, Jared Earland and Candace Handy as the “backstage workers,” who never stay just backstage.
They each have highlighted moments which earn applause mid show, for either physical feats or audience empathy. Mengelkoch truly does an amazing job “lifelessly” being pulled into the window. Johnson (as the actor portraying Cecil Haversham) toys and flirts with the audience in character. Handy goes from resistant to being on stage as an understudy, to basking in its glow. Davenport delightfully mispronounces his cribbed lines. Chace and Dubin each somehow manage to remain on the second story platform to the delight and awe of the crowd.
Trevor the Stage Manager, instead of Brian Isaac Phillips, delivers the CSC opening night curtain speech and flexes his muscles, earning oohs of delight from the audience. (Based on these reactions, perhaps Phillips will adopt this flexing routine during his next curtain speech?)
Overall
What makes this production of The Play That Goes Wrong a must-see is the layers of character work from these seasoned performers. They can milk every joke, and even add some new ones, based on audience reaction. They work so well together, and truly look like they are having fun. And the laughter spreads.
The production was a sell-out quickly last summer, so CSC gifted us with this encore production to have more opportunities to see this hilarious show. It is not the same show, though. There’s more! Three different cast members add their skills to the mix. Returning cast members have had a year to fine-tune even funnier bits.
Tickets to The Play That Goes Wrong
Many performances of CSC’s The Play That Goes Wrong are nearly sold out. Get your tickets today by contacting the CSC Online Box Office or call 513-381-2273.
