Theater Review: 'Play On' at The Arts at Angeloria's

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The Southington venue called The Arts at Angeloria’s brings lots of laughter with the first production of their tenth anniversary season, a wonderful production of “Play On.” This hysterical comedy, in the tradition of “Noises Off” and “The Play That Goes Wrong,” was written by Rick Abbot, one of several pen names for prolific playwright Jack Sharkey. Ed Rosenblatt directs the multi-aged cast and composed the original music.

“Play On” follows a plucky theater group that is trying desperately to get a (bad) murder mystery to the stage. Their show “Murder Most Foul,” is a new “murder mystery play” with the same title as an Agatha Christie novel and no actual murder. The first act shows a messy rehearsal, the second is the disastrous dress rehearsal, and the third act is the actual opening night performance, somehow the worst of all. Through it all, the cast manages to take the title of show to heart and “play on.”

The cast of ten tells their story on the small stage of the black box on the A @ A campus and uses the tiny space to help the audience feel like part of the action. Anyone who has performed on a stage can relate to the exaggerated details in the script, but everyone will laugh at the antics surrounding this show within a show.

Rick Beebe of Hamden, a veteran of A @ A, takes on the role of Saul Watson, the jokester in the cast. Patrick Cassidy returns to this stage to play Billy Carewe with plenty of charm and great physical comedy. Olivia Oesch is adorable as the young Smitty, who plays the housemaid in the performance.

Kevin Pelkey returns to this stage to play the actor playing Henry Benish, the Lord of the Manor, while Helen Malinka is a delight as Polly Benish, who fancies herself the leading lady of the play.

Jen Colella’s character plays the debutante Violet Imbry with a ridiculous wig that will not stay on. Suzanne Robertson brings to life the haughty playwright Phyllis Montague, who maddeningly keeps revising her script.

Kate Kovacs, a performer who has also worked as a director, understood the assignment in her role as Gerry Dunbar, the director of this mess. The audience understands why she is constantly popping Tums. Dianna Bruenn takes on the role of the harried stage manager, Aggie Manville and Lou Oporto, who often works behind the scenes, plays the sound guy named Lou Peary. Shelly Campbell works as the actual stage manager.

That the actors can remember their rapid-fire lines, many of which are riotously repeated with different touches, is a testament to their concentration. Their work is a hilarious love letter to community theatre.

Eric O. Carson is in charge of everything technical and pulls off all of the details. The venue’s artistic director and the show’s producer Lori Holm designed the period ensembles for the actors in the murder mystery and the contemporary costumes for the onstage production team. Holm also brought the onstage and backstage area of a community theater to her stage with her set design, complete with wallpaper, a wall safe, and a curtain (installed by Pelkey,) and the help of Kovacs with set dressing. Nathan Drake and family merit a full page in the online program for the construction of the set.

“Play On” is presented with two intermissions, during which I encourage first- time visitors to explore the first floor of this Victorian-inspired venue. The show will be a great way to become familiar with this hidden gem of a theater in Southington. The Arts at Angeloria’s is located at 223 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike. Tickets at.theartsatangelorias.com.