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ON CT & NY THEATREBy Marlene S. Gaylinn

CT Critics Circle / ctcritics.org June/2013

THE SHOW-OFF OVERTAKESWESTPORT PLAYHOUSE

Everyone has at least one eccentric member of

the family who craves unlimited attention. Most

people can accept a certain amount of clowning

and showing-off, but when someone acts like aspoiled child, brags, lies, and constantly

monopolizes family-life, these antics can

become a real annoyance. At Westport

Country Playhouse, Aubrey Piper (Will Rogers)

is such an obnoxious show off you mayvisualize yourself running onstage and ringing

his neck. However, we are now enlightened thatsuch a person is probably sick. Since George

Kelly wrote this play in 1924, science has

discovered that chronic exhibitionism can beconsidered a personality disorder and such

social deficiencies are not to be made fun of -- it

encourages bullying.

Regardless, of our present ethics, in The Show-

Off we are invited to experience a 1920scomedy of manners. The simple plot with anunexpected twist is about a boasting liar who

suddenly invades the Fisher family in order to

steal its youngest, spoiled daughter, Amy

(Clea Alsip). It is also about a testing of willsand has something to say about capitalism and

free enterprise. If you allow yourself to accept

the mannerisms and mentality of this Era, youmay see your own family through the

playwrights clever use of characters, sharp

dialog and farce. Which simply goes to showthat today, we havent change very much sincethis play was written.

Thus, we are ushered into an upper middle-classturn of the century living room designed, by

Alexander Doge. The impressive set features

wooden ceiling beams, a staircase and an

entrance foyer in the background. Antique

lamps and dishes decorate the main living areasin the foreground and we can hear the show-

offs boasting to Amy and only imagine whatthe giggling is all about behind the closed doors

at the side.

Most of the action takes place at a table in frontof a central, massive fireplace. Heres where

Mrs. Fisher, magnificently portrayed by Jayne

Houdyshell, tries to reign over her unmarried

daughter and put Aubrey in his place.

Meantime, Mr. Fisher (Adam LeFevre) mainlywants to relax after a days work, smoke his

pipe, and read his papersound familiar? Thecouple also has a single son, Joe, who is an

inventor (Karl Olson), and a daughter (Mia

Barron) married to freewheeling husbandFrank (Robert Eli) these secondary

characters serve to move the plot towards its

finale hurrah! Im not letting on -- in order to

see who triumphs, you must see this amusing,three-act play, which is well acted and directed

by Nicholas Martin. He was a 2013 TonyAward nominee for the current Broadway hit,

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

Plays to June 29 Tickets: 203 227-4177

AS YOU LIKE IT Takes Center Stage

After all the rain outs, it was a perfect eveningwhen we attended Shakespeare on the Sounds

As You Like It at Norwalks Pickney Park on

June 19th. Even the full moon cooperatedbrightly on cue. The theatre in the roundsgrassy setting set the natural scene. The central

wooden platform, designed by Brian Prather,

focused attention on the actors and the parksancient trees stimulated our imagination of

Arden foresta sanctuary where the plays

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central characters wander, meet, reconcile their

differences, and fall in love.

This is one of Shakespeares more convoluted,

long-winded comedies and like his fairytale, A

Midsummer Nights Dream, several sets oflovers woo, win and finally marryand thats

all you really need to know. Director Claire

Kelly, who has been with this group for the pastthree years, lightens up the production by

making sure theres something here for

everyone to enjoy. Without detracting from theplay, adults in the audience are recruited to

interact with the actors and appointed children

eagerly schlep the travelers luggage up the

parks steepest hillside and through the woods.

Shakespeare must have been greatly influenced

by Queen Elizabeth, one Englands most

powerful rulers, because many of his playsfeature strong women. Although the play

begins slowly, it picks up momentum during the

Second Act when Katie Wieland, who playsRosalind, disguises herself as a man and

wanders through the woods with her entourage.

She actually looks and acts better in mensclothing as she meets up with her handsome,

love interest, co-star Orlando (Chris Chafari)

and gives him man to man tips on how to

make love. Chafari is an equally believable

actor and the pair play-off each other quitenicely.

Other outstanding cast members are Medina

Senchore Celia, and David Gautschy who is

the clowning Touchstone. Tom Pecinka, as

Jacques has one of the most significantsoliloquies in Shakespeares repertory. He uses

his whole body when reciting the profound All

the Worlds A Stage and all the men and womenmerely players

This is a professional production. Some of the

most melodious music you will ever hear set toShakespeares lyrics, is composed by Brien

Feinstein. The play, performed in modern dress,

takes place in a tropical setting where the actorsdance, sing, and strum Calypso music. Drop by

the educational tent and pick up a study guide.

There is a food concession and a small shopbring money.

Plays to June 30Free: Bring chairs, blankets and sweaters