"Epic" Good Times at Vagabonds

◊◊◊ 1/2 out of five.

When Friends writers Larry Coen and David Crane's Epic Proportions opened on Broadway a few years ago (starring Kristen Chenoweth, no less), hopes were high, but the critics sure weren't.  Judging from the production of the play which opened last weekend at Vagabond Players in Fells Point, it is hard to imagine why they didn't at least have a fun time.

True, the script, which chronicles the making of an epic motion picture (think The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur and Cleopatra rolled into one giant movie), is written like a sitcom.  The scenes are short and barely connected, and are full of set-up lines followed by witty one-liners.  More than a few will make you groan, but that's kind of the point.  They are spoofing the genre and the folks involved.  But given the right mindset and a terrific cast, this one act (80 minutes, no intermission) will make you laugh until your sides hurt and time will fly. 

Charlie Mitchell, the director, his tireless cast of eight actors, and technical crew have all conspired to create what is easily the best offering I've seen at Vagabonds in a year and a half of covering shows there.  Mr. Mitchell and company have apparently worked very hard to make sure we get every single joke and can follow the somewhat convoluted plot.  Add to that a very game cast who execute physical comedy shtick with the dexterity of Lucy and Ethel, the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges.  Perhaps the only negative criticism I have in terms of direction is that I wish more time were spent either speeding up the in the dark scene changes or finding a more creative way to execute them in full view.  We are, after all, allegedly participants in the movie, so why not let us "see" how "movie magic" is made?  Ah, but let me assure you, it is a very slight criticism, because every single time the lights come up, more surprises and hilarity abound. 

The ensemble here (Praem Phulvani, Ryan Sekac and Miguel Peschiera) is amazing.  They play anywhere from 4 to 8 different characters, often different ones back-to-back, and each time, the characters are distinct.  They are also a pleasant blend of stereotype and originality – here being a stereotype actually adds to the play.  Stephanie Ranno (recently in The Mineola Twins at Spotlighters) again shows some nice versatility as an ensemble member and as The Queen.  In that uproarious portrayal, she is like Liz Taylor on steroids as The Queen, and a chain smoking loud mouth actress as the woman playing her.  It is hard to act like a bad actress and be that funny, too, and Ranno is great!  Local favorite John Sadowsky doubles as the voice-over narrator, sounding like Walter Cronkite, and as film director D.W. DeWitt, temperamental and inept all at once, and more interested in nudie films than in getting his epic finished.

The trio of actors in the leads is excellent in every way.  All three have razor-sharp timing, and literally throw themselves into their physically demanding roles.  Tom Saporito plays the sweet natured Benny, who longs for a career in the movies.  Saporito makes the guy absolutely loveable with his wide-eyed innocence and energetic wholehearted approach to life.  His enthusiasm is contagious.  And let me tell you, his role is demanding!  He spends as much time on the floor as he does literally running around the set. One hilarious scene has him demonstrating a series of bizarre movements meant to give variety to a crowd scene.  Later, he shows a tender side as he declares his love for crowd director Louise.  Mr. Saporito handles each difficult facet of his character with dexterity and much talent. 

  As Louise, the officious but sweet crowd control director, KC O'Connor is an absolute scream. Not only can she deliver zinger after zinger with the timing of a stand-up comic, she can also nail physical comedy, and display a wide range of emotion, sometimes all at once.  Her sweet smile and lovely facial expressions make her easy to fall for.  One scene has her chained to a wall and everyone around her seems to have forgotten.  Her simple line asking to be unchained is delivered sweetly, but with hilarious comic bite. 

Finally, as Phil, Benny's brother, Kenny Johnson is absolutely delightful.  The plot calls for him to start out as an unwilling participant in all of the shenanigans, but he grows to love it as success (and falling for Louise) consumes him.  I won't tell you how he ends up, but his rise in power is one of the chief delights of the show.  Johnson, like his co-stars is great at the physical.  But he really shines in the surprising depth he brings to his character.  At turns he is timid and shy, headstrong and arrogant, and shocked, dismayed, humbled and about ten other emotions.  All of this bravado is wrapped up in his deceptively handsome matinee idol looks.  He looks like he belongs in front of the "cameras."  What is nicest about all three of these actors is that all three give and take, support and challenge each other, making all three that much better.  I look forward to seeing all three of these young actors for years to come.

The technical aspects of the show are also up to the quality of the acting and direction.  Alyson Shirk's colorful and plentiful costumes fit the epic nature of the play and at the same time are a send up of the movies.  She certainly got the most out of her budget – adding and subtracting fun pieces to basic tunic costumes allows for fast costume changes and much variety.  Eric Morra's lighting is befitting the harsh light of the Arizona desert, and Mr. Mitchell has worked up some nice sound effects and voice-overs.  Set designers Tony Colavito and Jay Demarco have created a grand scale set in a tiny space, highlighted by a large upstage stepped platform with pillars, what appears to be a section of pyramid and giant foot statue "left over" from an ancient ruin.  The set itself is funny.

Vagabonds' tiny space may just be the perfect venue for the epic comedy of Epic Proportions.  The smallness forces creativity and makes the huge scale of the "movie" that much more hilarious given its small scale reality.  Don't miss this laugh riot!! 

PHOTO: Clockwise from KC O'Connor (with clapper), Tom Saporito, Miguel Peschiera, Kenny Johnson and Stephanie Ranno (center).  Photo courtesy of The Vagabond Players.

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