BWW Reviews: Run, Don't Walk to See Swift Creek Mills Theatre's SEE HOW THEY RUN

The promotional materials for Swift Creek Mill Theatre's production of "See How They Run" say "you'll laugh until it hurts." This is one time where a production definitely lives up to the hype! Tom Width's perfectly cast, perfectly staged production is a true laugh out loud farce.

The play takes place in the 1940's living room of an English vicarage. The vicar-the Reverend Lionel Toop (Andrew Hamm) and his wife of less than a year, a former American actress Penelope Toop (Louise Keeton) are about to face a few unexpected guests. What follows is a series of misunderstandings, mistaken identities, non-stop entrances and exits and rapid fire comedy at its best.

Hamm and Keeton masterfully anchor this zany cast of characters which include Penelope's large, loud and imposing Bishop uncle (Jacob Lief); her longtime friend and fellow actor Corporal Clive Winton (Jesse Mattes); an escaped Russian prisoner (Jim Morgan); a visiting minister- the Reverend Arthur Humphrey (Steve King); a "slightly inebriated" old maid from their church (Jacqueline Jones); a police sergeant (Adam Mincks) and their cockney maid (Liz Ballard Hamm).

On opening night, the cast was already performing seamlessly in this well-paced, well timed production. While the first scene builds the humor slowly, by the second scene the audience was truly laughing 'til it hurt.

Liz Ballard Mann's facial expressions are reminiscent of a young Lucille Ball; while Jones' physicality and consistency bring non-stop laughs. Mattes also shines as a personable yet hapless victim of circumstances. Both King and Morgan make the most of supporting roles (King is a cross between Clarence the Angel and Stan Laurel). Morgan's dead pan expressions are the perfect counter-balance to the insanity. My teenage sons' personal favorite was Lief, who in a throwback to Harvey Korman on the Carol Burnett show, seemed to constantly be holding back a smirk- which drew the audience into the comedic elements even more.

Width, who doubles as scenic designer, has created a well-appointed 1940's classic and comfortable English living room. A poorly placed mirror, however, distractingly reflected any movement of the front row of the audience. Joe Doran's lights and Maura Lynch Cravey's costumes are effective and appropriate.

For those who chose to enjoy the dinner part of this dinner theater; the meal is no farce. From the soup to the dessert the meal is every bit as satisfying as the show itself.

For non-stop laughs; run, don't walk to see "See How They Run." Thru October 25. www.swiftcreekmill.com

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