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For the Saturday performance of Play it Again, Sam by Woody Allen, the hosue was packed. Literally. The chairs may be cushy, but I felt a bit cramped, especially on this July scorcher eve. Even though they blasted the swamp, programs were fanning by the third act.
The first thing you notice, the set, was very impressive. The play takes place in the 70s, and the designer, Gregory Jaye spared no detail from the macrame wall hanging to the two lava lamps. The story takes place in Allen's apartment, though many scenes are flashbacks. Allen is going through a divorce and just getting into the dating scene. His friend, Dick Christie, and his wife, Linda, try to help to hilarious results.
As the lights dimmed, we met Matthew Cary playing Allen (the Woody Allen character) appeared. Trying too hard to imitate Woody's nervious manerisms and talking too fast, many lines were lost. Since Allen is the main character, you would have thought director Matthew Mazuroski would have spent more time finding someone that might fill the role more appropriately. But, then, I remember; this is community theatre.
Steve Milo played Dick Christie, Allen's best friend and workaholic. He along with the Martha McGee's neurotic housewife, Linda Christie did a decent job with their married part. Their more exciting moments were the flash backs or movie venyets. Milo's angry Italian scene and McGee's Bette Davis scene with Bogart brought down the house.
Oh, yeah, Bogart pops up throughout the show, giving advice to Allen like "I never knew a dame that didn't like a slap in the mouth, or a slug from a .45." Jim Driskill was superb at the Bogey spot. His characterazation was pure gold.
Which brings me to Susie Schuld, the wonder woman/actress who plays eight different parts through out the production. This newcomer was impressive from her nagging ex-wife to her Abba dancing go-go girl. She brought life to the stage and laughter to the audience. Thank goodness she had eight parts.
But why three acts? The third act was only 20 minutes long. Surely we didn't need another 10 minute break and I didn't see that the set needed dressing between then. I think they should have broken play into two acts. It was after the second intermission that I saw the nervous fanning of the programs.
At the end of the night, we all had a smile on our faces. That's what I love about Theatre Works' shows. You know you are going to have a great time.
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