Taking Steps
Theater buffs all agree with George Burn's famous tag-line,
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." They also know that farce (an
exaggerated form of broad comedy based on ridiculous situations), is
the most difficult of all to put across.
Since the plot of most farce is by definition absurd, it's not
the "what" that matters, it's the "how." Timing is crucial. In general,
directors either have a feel for how to do it or they don't. Ditto the
cast. In order to succeed, the action must rev up to top-gear, and the
actors must project exaggerated characters who race around the stage like
lunatics in prescribed farcical mode.
If you appreciate good farce, consider "Taking Steps" as an
example. An old play by Alan Ayckbourn, it is the ninth work by this
acclaimed British playwright that South Coast Repertory has mounted
over the years.
Forget the insane situation that "TakingSteps" presents; just
sit back and enjoy the mad-cap antics that director Art Manke (a
master farceur) elicits from his energetic cast.
All the lunacy takes place in The Pines, a former "house of ill
repute" in the English countryside. A Victorian mansion that is
rumored to be haunted, it is currently occupied by newly weds Roland
(the hilarious Bob Nagle) and his bride Elizabeth (the ditzy Kirsten
Potter).
Roland is a big blow-hard who made his fortune selling buckets;
while "Lizzie" is a spoiled, young fluff-head who harbors dreams
of becoming a dancer. So now, after just three months of marriage,
she decides she has made a mistake and is writing a farewell note to
her new husband.
Meanwhile, her sweet inhibited brother Mark (the marvelous Bill
Brochtrup) is brooding about his free-spirited fiance (Emily Eiden)
who deserted him at the alter. Mark expects Kitty to regret what she
did and come to The Pines this very day; so he rushes over to greet
her as Liz is planning her escape.
One of the prime characters in this farce is The Pines itself.
Beautifully designed by Ralph Funicello, it supposedly has three
floors, but all of them exist on one level.
Throughout the play, the characters "pretend" to climb stairs
from the living-room to the second-floor bedroom, then up to the
attic. Going along with this dramatic conceit, the audience grants
its "willing suspension of disbelief," so the non-stop make-believe
act of climbing the stairs becomes a running gag itself.
Before Lizzie can sneak away, Roland unexpectedly comes home early.
He has decided to buy The Pines and wants to surprise his pretty new
bride. Then Kitty comes to the house and gets accidentally locked in
the attic; so when Mark arrives he doesn't even know she's there.
Throw in the present owner of the house (Louis Lotorto) who is
anxious to make the sale; and the stammering, stuttering real estate
agent, played by Kasey Mahaffy who almost steals the show. For extra
spice and vinegar, add the ghost of Scarlet Lucy, a former prostitute,
who is rumored to seduce men and leave them ecstatic before she kills
them.
In no time at all, six kooky characters are racing through the
house and up and down the steps barely missing each other. Season
their actions with sleeping pills, mistaken notes, and lots of booze.
Then hold on tight and watch this full-blown farce roar through the
theater.
"Taking Steps" continues at SCR through June 15. Performances
take place Tuesday through Sunday at 7:30, with Friday-Saturday
matinees at 2:30. A post show discussion follows the June 3rd
performance.
South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Dr. in Costa
Mesa, across from South Coast Plaza.
For ticket information, call (714) 708-5555
or go online at www.scr.org