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If there is one thing I have noticed about Arizona Theatre Company shows over the past few years, it is the wonderful enthusiasm and wit that Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein brings to the classics. He has done it again in spades with Moliere's Scapin.
The stage is set with gaudy-gold trimmings and a curtain drop that shows the French farcist himself with a spray-painted mustache and beard. Next to his likeness is a list of what at first appears to be his plays: Miser, Misanthrope, Tartuffe. As the list goes on, you see Goldfinger, Raging Bull, Boogie Nights, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It was fun listening to those audience members nearby debate the likelihood of his contributions to said films.
To open the show, a pink coifed woman appeared on the right side of the stage, above her what appeared to be a very large volume knob, which could be set to 11. For those missing the significance of that, go to your nearest video outlet and rent the hilarious Spinal Tap. I can only guess the pink headed lady is Musical Director, Roberta Carlson. She set the tone beautifully, playing a medley of classical pieces and unmistakable comedy romps, such as the Loony Tune theme song. After her short preamble, the Moliere drop lifts and reveals a wonderful forced perspective set that had topsy-turvy and off balance built up buildings.
Then the goofiness begins, led by valley favorite Bob Sorenson in the leading role. Scapin's partner in crime is Sylvestre. The two are servants for Argente and Geronte, two fathers that find each of their sons have fallen in love with a woman unbecoming their stature. The sons, Octave and Leander, turn to Scapin to come up with a plan to keep their loves and their inheritances.
Goldstein has once again conceived a very stylized production. From the brightly colored costumes and white faced make-up, to the musical accompaniment and toy puppets that run around upstage, the production takes on the feel of watching a silent vaudevillian movie. The actors, too, are over exaggerated, but that only helps the continuity here. The few detractions for me were a too long, silly chase scene to finish the show, and the lowbrow jokes that started off the show. I know we now live in a world of Beavis and Butthead and the tikes from South Park, but I could personally done without all the excrement mentions.
There was nary a bad link in the acting department. Kudos to Mr. Bob Sorenson. He has established himself as a major player in local theatre and I just hope that doesn't mean we will soon be losing him to New York or Los Angeles. Sorenson's portrayal of Scapin was right on and his wonderful pacing kept the show on track. R.Hamilton Wright as Sylvestre played well off of Sorenson. He also had a fantastic moment in the first act where he portrays a crazy Turk (or was he Portuguese?) and goes on a movie classic tirade that had me in tears. From DeNero's "You talking to me?" to a scary Silence of the Lambs that few in this older crowd were picking up, to finally turning into Godzilla and ripping off parts of the set, that performance alone should be looked at come Zony award night.
Jeff Steitzer as Argante was a wonderful caricature as was Kim Bennett as Geronte. Andy Patterson, a Kenneth Branagh look alike, did a good job of holding his comedic own in the company of Sorenson and Wright. Warren Jackson, while not having as much stage time as the others, certainly did what he could to stand out. The two questionable women were played by Kristin Ketterer (Hyacinth) and Herberger and ATC alumni Lillie Richardson as Zerbinette. Also of note was the very nice work of Leslie Law as Nerine, the woman doing the Carmen Miranda impersonation.
While congratulations are in order for the entire cast, crew and director, the real winners here are co-adapters Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell. With many television, film and books credits, their wonderful script is what really makes ATC's Scapin the fun, likable romp that is fun for the whole family to enjoy.
Scapin continues through May 23 at the Herberger's Center Stage. Call the Herberger box office 252-TIXS (8497) for tickets, or any Dillards' outlet.
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