THEATER REVIEW - “Don’t Dress for Dinner” - Produced by: Theatre Three – Port Jefferson - Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur
A theatrical farce is a play whose only objective is to entertain the audience by presenting comedic situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, and likely improbable. Accordingly, actors, directors, and producers of these humorous rib-ticklers love to see their shows labeled “ridiculous” … “far-fetched” … and even “outrageous.” Indeed, the more preposterous a farce is labeled, the more successful it likely will be. Principals at Theatre Three should find some satisfaction, therefore, in this reviewer’s evaluation of “Don’t Dress for Dinner” … which runs at their comfortable and affordable playhouse in Port Jefferson thru February 7th. The show is an almost perfect example of the genre, and not to be missed.
Some of the keenest wags in literature have demonstrated their genius for farce on stage over the years. Playwrights like Oscar Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest), William Shakespeare (The Comedy of Errors), and Moliere (Tartuffe) are among those that come immediately to mind … and let’s not forget the great Noel Coward (Blithe Spirit). These artists knew how to evoke laughter so spontaneous that titters … spawn guffaws … that generate howls … and we in the audience have little control over the ensuing hilarity.
Further, no list of the best masters of farce would be complete without the inclusion of Frenchman, Marc Camoletti, whose “Boeing-Boeing” is credited with being the most frequently performed French play of all time! That show’s six-year run was matched, however, by Camoletti’s farce (adapted by playwright Robin Hawdon) and it’s now drawing belly laughs under Director Mary Powers at Long Island’s gem of a theater at 412 Main Street in Port Jeff.
There are six veteran actors commanding the Theatre Three stage in “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” and each is significantly different from the others. First, is the reincarnation of Donald O’Connor, James D. Schultz, who plays everybody’s used and abused, double-taking buddy ‘Robert.’ His female counterpart is the voluptuous ‘Suzanne,’ interpreted with gusto (and cleavage) by Marquez Catherine Stewart … and Stewart has all she can do to keep up with diminutive pepperpot, Amanda Geraci, who might steal the show as ‘Suzette,’ if the hilarious lines were not so evenly distributed.
The backbone of this non-stop cast of comedic pros is the duo comprised of Regina Schneider (‘Jacqueline’), she of the mile-long legs and longer resume … and the well-traveled Marc T Cahill (Bernard’), around whom the action swirls in time with his perfectly established pace. Ultimately, just when we think nothing could get funnier in this romp-a-minute classic, Bret Chizever (George) bursts in to prove us wrong.
And speaking of pace … farces, with their frequent twists of plot and unexpected events, are largely dependent on timing … so both director and players must be in sync. I saw not a single instance during last weekend’s performance where this was lacking in the sidesplitting give-and-take—that’s top-notch theater.
Finally (because even we long-winded critics must call a halt to our reporting at some point) Randall Parsons’s French Country house set is absolutely inspired … Robert W. Henderson, Jr.’s lighting is flawless … and Ronald Green III should get a medal for dressing the willowy Schneider so beautifully.
In sum: Don’t attempt to justify the absurdity of the plot in “Don’t Dress for Dinner” … it can’t be done any more than one can know what compels half a dozen frolicking squirrels to scamper about in the treetops. Just go to Theatre Three … sit back and enjoy … and be glad you didn’t pay four times as much for a lesser show two hours away.
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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of nine novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. In his newest thriller, HARVEST, an American military doctor is seized by a sinister gang of organ traffickers in The Balkans, and ordered to perform illegal surgeries.