Review: THE NERD at George Street Playhouse is Laugh Out Loud Fun

"This is a desperate situation, it requires something infantile"

by Axel in The Nerd

Everybody needs a good laugh, and that's just what you will get when you attend The Nerd, now being performed at George Street Playhouse (GSP) through May 20. This is the final show of the Playhouse's 2017/2018 season and it's a production that shouldn't be missed. Written by Larry Shue and superbly directed by Kevin Cahoon, the play has an awesome cast that channels Shue's comic genius into 2 hours of sheer fun. The Nerd is actually the coolest show in town!

The play opens with a modest birthday party for architect, Willum Cubbert who is turning 34. The celebration is attended by his love interest, Tansy; his theatre critic friend, Axel; and a business associate, Waldgrave who brings along his wife, Clelia and their energetic son, Thor. But the happenings really start when Rick Steadman, a former soldier who saved Willum's life in Vietnam, suddenly comes to call. Rick turns out to be a total nerd and possesses every annoying personality trait possible. After Rick stays at Willum's for six long and trying days, Tansy, Axel, and Willum devise a quirky plot to get rid of the unwanted guest. Although the characters in the show want Rick Steadman to leave, you won't want The Nerd to end.

You'll love this cast. They capture non-stop hilarity of the show's fast paced scenes without missing a beat. The company includes Colin Hanlon as Willum; Kate Reinders as Tansy; Zach Shaffer as Axel; Stephen Wallem as Waldgrave; Ann Harada as Clelia; Hayden Bercy as Thor; and Jonathan Kite as Rick. There are insanely humorous moments that include Tansy's party food presentation; Waldgrave and Thor's father/son conflict; Rick's party game called "Shoes and Socks"; Clelia's anger management technique; Rick's tambourine playing; Willum's mounting frustrations with Rick; and Axel's quick-witted, snarky observations.

The Creative Team has done a fantastic job of bringing The Nerd to the New Brunswick stage. They include set design by David L. Arsenault; costume design by Leon Dobkowski; lighting design by Jason Lyons; sound design by Fitz Patton; hair and wig design by Leah Loukas. The Production Manager is Christopher J. Bailey; Production Stage Manager is Kristin Pfeifer; Casting is by McCorkle Casting, Ltd.

Congratulations to David Saint, GSP's Artistic Director and Kelly Ryman, the Playhouse's Managing Director on an outstanding season of productions and for topping it off with The Nerd.

The Nerd runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. The Playhouse has taken residence in the former New Jersey Museum of Agriculture located at 103 College Farm Road on Rutgers University's Cook Campus while the new performing arts center is being built on Livingston Avenue. To purchase tickets for The Nerd or for more information, visit the George Street Playhouse website at https://georgestreetplayhouse.org/ or call the box office at 732.246.7717. Groups of 10 or more receive additional discounts. For group information, call 732.246.2895, exit 134 or visit https://georgestreetplayhouse.org/get-tickets/group-sales/.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson

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