BAG FULLA MONEY: Full of $5's and $10's and at times $100's

The new madcap comedy, Bag Fulla Money, written by Scott Brooks, is now finding its comedic legs at the Clurman Theatre on 42^nd streets Theatre Row. Billed as a "fast and furious four-letter-word farce," Money takes a peek inside the kitchen of an enterprise conglomerate where millions of Ben Franklins are up for grabs in a game of cat chase mouse. Which of the eight larger than life characters goes home with the green when all is said and done? Theatergoers will have to wait till the bitter end to realize who is telling the truth and who is not, while delightfully snarling the two hours away. If only the road getting to the nail biting conclusion of this witty work were not fulla several distracting detour signs, this Money would be well worth the ride.

Brooks' comedic script lets us in on the entanglement between a pastry chef and his newly fiancéd girlfriend, Oscar and Becky. What do they do when they come across a bag fulla the green stuff in the kitchens walk in freezer and what happens when others begin to realize it is there as well? Enter the married Jonsey and Laverne; he an African-American con artist - she a Latina street smart, television watching spoil. When both couples come across the cash, who will be the first to hatch a plan getting it out of the building? And will they be able to succeed without daddy's (Stu Richel's charming Mr. Prescott) rich, selfish, handsome son (Jimmy) getting in their way? Throw in a British thug and his non suspecting, yet inquisitive Native American partner and one has a farce unfolding before their eyes. Just when all is figured out, think again! For Act two's startling revelations are far funnier than Act one's character set-ups.

If Brooks makes one flaw in judgment, it is that his audience needs so much time learning who these people on stage are. After the first fifteen minutes, one begins to wonder where the fast and furious promise really is. But once things finally get moving, the fists and four letter words begin to fly. It is just a shame it takes so long to get there.

What else is a pure pity are several of the casting choices with characters that are larger than life delights being portrayed by several actors with piss poor accents and even smaller stage potential. When the uproarious script blatantly calls for a smooth talking black guy or a British criminal one would hope the actors on hand could at least master the basics, instead of barely skimming the surface. But, David A. White as Jonesy and Richard Mazda as English respectably miss every mark.

That is not to say on the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Money has actors who step up to the plate and hit home runs. For two shining examples go above and beyond and pull in perfect grand slams, clearing the bases of anyone who has gone before them. Heather Dilly as quirky and off beat Becky ensues the perfect combination of charm and wit while carrying her character from point A to point B with sophisticated aplomb. And one can only wish there was more of the marvel than is Jon Ecklund as Jimmy. Never before has rich, white boy been played with such a confidant air. Ecklund is pure genius when Jimmy walks in with his nose in the air after a tiring game of golf and he continues to shine throughout.

If only the lighting design by Andrew Grant were as incandescent as Dilly and Ecklund's performances. And costumer Vito Lenza seems to have joined Grant in making Money seem more like a middle school recital instead of an off Broadway showcase. Thank goodness then for Michael Hotopp's brilliant set design. One practically smells the aroma of pastries baking in his kitchen wonderland. And while the wonderland of talent on stage may be hit or miss; Sam Viverito's superb direction works hand in hand with Brooks deliciously entertaining, yet at times (most near the start) flawed script. Viverito's flawless direction of character placement seems to have leapt straight from the page to the stage. If only each of his actors were up to task, his work may have been all the easier.

Easy come, Easy go – for a play like Bag Fulla Money? – might be the case! But with any luck, a little more work, and continued dedication to a vision; this Money may one day make back its investment in full. If any theatre company were looking to fill a slot with a side splitting farce and could take the time to right the wrongs, then take a trip to 410 West 42^nd Street before January 29. With Bag Fulla Money as a part of a package, the ride to the top could be all the more rich.

 

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