Ever wonder what happens backstage before a performance? How well do the cast of characters commingle as they run their lines and rehearse? Is their jealousy and green eyed envy lurking behind the ruby curtains? Does the director have to separate the children so they learn to play fairly and share? You are going to be privy to these questions and their surprising answers if and when you attend the classic farce “Noises Off!” by Michael Frayn, a farce to end all farces, that takes you behind the curtain and in front of it as well, thanks to the Legacy Theatre of Branford until Sunday, October 12.
Dedication and discipline, talent and timing are mainstays of the acting profession. A level of spirit, as in” the show must go on,” is expected. What happens, you might ask, when the cast of a show, a British flop of a comedy called “Nothing On,” allows their personal intrigues to interfere and sabotage their production both in front of and behind the audience? A creative chaos or a hilarious hurricane is the answer.
It’s dress rehearsal and all the last minute details should have long ago been ironed out and resolved. This time is simply the fine tuning before the big opening night. Costumes are worn, props are in place and the performers are letter perfect and flawless in their delivery. Not! To add to the mischievous magic of the performance you get to see James Roday Rodriguez as Lloyd, the long suffering and intense master of the show, taking command of the performance just as he did for so many years as the perceptive detective on “Psych.” Roday is joined on stage by Kurt Fuller who played the coroner on “Psych” now assuming the role of the very thirsty burgler. Joining them is Allison Miller as Dotty who can’t seem to control the plates of sardines, Jimmy Johansmeyer as the romancing and athletic Garry with his paramour Brooke delightfully partially undressed thanks to Jamie Gray Hyder, Michael Trotter as a wounded Frederick with his companion in crime Melanie Martyn as Belinda, and theatrical stage managers Emily Gardt adept as Poppy and Mariah Sage as a trying to be helpful Tim.
Imagine the nightmare that Lloyd, a stalwart director, experiences when plates of sardines go missing, doors either won’t close or open, the actor playing the bungling burglar is off getting drunk and half the cast is having an affair with the other half. There’s more intrigue going on behind the curtains than in front of it.
Look out for bottles of brandy, bedsheets, bouquets of flowers, boxes, baggage, a baby, bathmats, battle axes and blood, not to mention sheiks, sardines, sex maniacs and slamming doors. Silliness is clearly on parade, in one door and out the other, from the first moment Dotty, a dizzy and determined dame, answers the phone. The cast and crew are off and running, literally and figuratively. Keely Baisden Knudsen directs this funny bundle of misdirection and missteps with great timing and ease.
For tickets ($40.50), call The Legacy, 128 Thimble Islands Road, Branford at 203-315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCT.org. Shows are Wednesday at 7 p.m., Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It’s time to celebrate the Legacy’s 5th Anniversary with a Gala on Friday, October 10 from 6-9 p.m. at Branford’s Pine Orchard’s Yacht and Country Club. Get your tickets now.
You may never look at sardines quite the same way ever again after they go flying on stage during the hilarious havoc of “Noises Off!” where a sneak peek backstage may prove hazardous to your health but clearly not to your funny bone.
