Theater Review: 'The Fox on the Fairway' at Music Theatre of Connecticut

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) has taken a laugh-filled swing at the Ken Ludwig comedy “The Fox on the Fairway and has landed a theatrical hole in one. Performances continue on the mainstage in Norwalk through Nov. 23.

Ludwig’s better known works include his first play “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Moon Over Buffalo,” and “The Game’s Afoot.” His first opera is titled “Tenor Overboard” and his newest plays and musicals include “Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley" and “Lady Molly of Scotland Yard.”

“The Fox on the Fairway” pokes fun at the members of a private country club participating in a local gold tournament. Ludwig’s script contains the requisite multiple doors, mistaken identities, and ridiculous romantic folly, all performed at a manic pace. Some might be reminded of the Marx Brothers’ classics in this tribute to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s.

Amy Griffin returns to MTC to direct this golf-themed farce with a focus on the precise comic timing it requires. This is most apparent in the breakneck wrap up that closes the performance. Griffin was the director of Sharon Playhouse’s “Something Rotten!” with Jen Cody and Max Crumm, and as an actor played Alison in “Fun Home” and the title role in “Becoming Dr. Ruth,” both at MTC.

The director has assembled a group of six Equity performers that rise to the challenge of the tempo of this fast-paced day at the country club.

Josh Powell shines in the role of Henry Bingham, the man who runs the golf club and will stop at nothing to win the local tournament. Powell manages to keep up with the physical comedy in the role and delivers a great performance. The actor previously appeared in “White Christmas” at MTC, and last season performed in “Mystic Pizza” in Ivoryton and “Grumpy Old Men” at Seven Angels.

Missy Dowse plays the beautiful Pamela in her MTC debut. Dowse played Annabel in “Lucky Stiff” off-Broadway and was part of the national tour of “Gypsy.” Anette Michelle Sanders portrays Bingham’s wife Muriel, the owner of a shop.

Sean Hannon plays one of Pamela’s (three) ex husbands, Dickie Bell in his MTC debut. Dickie is the sneaky manager of the rival gold club and shows up in another loud sweater for each entrance. Hannon was George Banks in “Mary Poppins” at Summer Theater of New Canaan.

Ted Gibson, who appeared in “Moon Over Buffalo” on the MTC stage, is the young Justin, Bingham’s new assistant who is in love with Louise, played by Erin M. Williams in her MTC debut. The young couple run through the doors in the set in perfect sync as their zany relationship unfolds.

Diane Vanderkroef has provided many wonderful costumes for the actors, loud daytime looks for the golf tournament and nighttime finery for the fancy banquet. Everything fits the actors perfectly and helps to flesh out the personality of their characters.

The scenic design by Sean Sanford encompasses the stage area to bring the audience into the tap room of Quail Valley Country Club. Jon Demast provides the illusion of a misfiring PA system in his sound design and Peter Petrino lights the entire space well. Dan O’Driscoll was the show’s assistant director and provided fight/intimacy direction as well.

Kudos to Stage Manager Geovanni Colón Rosario for keeping all of the strokes straight. Rosario most recently served as Deck Stage Manager for Elm Shakespeare Company’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The production team posted their gratitude to Anthony Gigliotti, Norwalk High School Head Golf Coach, for teaching the cast how to golf.

Be forewarned that the script contains some raunchy jokes and some strong language, but is extremely funny for adults. The performance includes a 15-minute intermission. MTC, currently in its 39th season, is located on Westport Avenue in Norwalk.

“The Fox on the Fairway" runs through Nov. 23. Performances are Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets at musictheatreofct.com/the-fox-on-the-fairway.