[NEohioPAL]Berko review: LEADING LADIES at CPH

[Roy Berko]

HYSTERICALLY FUNNY ‘LEADING LADIES’ AT CLEVELAND PLAY
HOUSE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


	Few contemporary authors are experts in writing
farce.  Ken Ludwig is not one of those.  The two-time
Tony Award nominee and recipient of the Laurence
Olivier Award for playwriting has proven his abilities
as the author of  ‘LEND ME A TENOR’ “SULLIVAN &
GILBERT” and “MOON OVER BUFFALO.’  ‘LEND ME A TENOR’
is one of the most popular comedic pieces of the past
decade and has received more than 200 productions
worldwide.
	 Ludwig’s newest script, ‘LEADING LADIES’ is
receiving its world premiere as the opening show of
the Cleveland Play House’s 2004-2005 season.  The
script was workshopped last year as part of the Play
House’s annual New Stage Festival of New Plays.  In
addition to having written the play, Ludwig is
directing the CPH production.
	On the surface writing, directing and performing in
farce seems an easy task.  There is usually little
plot development, the characters are broadly crafted
and bigger than life, and the performers just need to
let loose and make the audience laugh.  Anyone
believing this myth has only to see a badly developed
production to see how awful farce can be when poorly
crafted and presented.
	The difficulty with this theatrical form is that the
characters must be real enough to be believable, but
broad enough for the audience to both laugh with and
at.  The direction must let loose the creative, but be
restricted enough to allow the author’s lines to be
the center of the fun.  If the show is too gimmicky,
the audience loses the show and gets involved in the
effects.
	Ludwig, as writer and director of ‘LEADING LADIES,’
has found the perfect balance.  The production is a
total delight. 
	Basically, as the program notes indicate, “It’s 1955,
in Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, Jack and Leo are
performing second-rate Shakespeare at a Moose
Lodge...a nightmare gig for the two classically
trained British actors.  A chance encounter on a train
leads to an opportunity to put themselves back on
their feet and make some money in the process.”  
	Plot aside, just think of ‘LEADING LADIES’ as ‘SOME
LIKE IT HOT’ collides with ‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING
EARNEST’ and ‘CHARLIE’S AUNT.’
	Ludwig has infused the production with just enough
shtick, just enough creativity, just enough frenetic
pace.  He is blessed with an amazing cast.  There is
not a weak link in the acting chain.
	Brent Barrett and Christopher Duva as Leo and Jack,
are natural farce actors.  They have mobile faces, a
wonderful sense of timing, and each displays a
delightful vulnerability.  They are believable, yet
unbelievable....a perfect combination..
	Erin Dilly and Lacey Kohl as Leo and Jack’s love
interests are wonderful.  Dilly shines as the
beautiful Meg.  Kohl, a Judy Holliday-look and act
alike comedian, is the quintessential Ado Annie of
‘OKLAHOMA’ and Adelaide of ‘GUYS AND DOLLS.’  
	A signature device of many farces is the bad or
overbearing character...think Lady Bracknell in ‘THE
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.”  Mark Jacoby, is great
as the bad guy minister, who evokes the audience to
want to “boo” when he makes his entrances. 
	Dan Lauria, who many will remember as the father on
the TV hit series, ‘THE WONDER YEARS,’ makes a perfect
foil for Jane Connell, as the aged aunt, who the
audience will immediately recognize for her many
appearances as a daft old lady in numerous television
shows.  Connell’s hysterically funny “death” scene is
a theatrical “must see.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   If you want to laugh, to enjoy
yourself and leave the “real world” outside, the
Cleveland Play House’s ‘LEADING LADIES’ is your thing.
 This is not a play for those who need a profound
message, who have no sense of humor, whose favorite
line is “Bah, humbug.”  I defy anyone to sit through
‘LEADING LADIES’ and not have a wonderful time!  As
one patron said as she departed the theatre, “I
laughed so hard I think I wet my undies.”

For tickets to ‘LEADING LADIES,’ which range from $34
to $49.50, with “under 25 “ tickets at half-price,
call 216-795-7000 or go on-line to
www.clevelandplayhouse.com.


=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at royberko.info and many of his theatre and dance reviews appear on artscleveland.net.


	
		
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