Review: Frothy Fun from Sound Theatre Company's ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS

Do you have an allergy or aversion to laughter? If so, my condolences and this show might not be for you. But if not then you should get yourself down to the Center House Theatre to catch Sound Theatre Company's current production of "One Man, Two Guvnors". Get ready for two and a half hours gut busting laughter and some of the best psychical comedy around.

For those unfamiliar with Richard Bean's London and Broadway smash hit play, it's a takeoff on the commedia dell'arte play "Servant of Two Masters" where we focus on the loveable but slow witted and perennially hungry Frances (David Roby). Frances has lost his job with his skiffle band and ends up as a bit of muscle for the notorious criminal Roscoe. Roscoe's about to be engaged to Pauline (Christine Riippi) in order to satisfy a business arrangement between he and Pauline's father Charlie (John Clark). But Pauline is in love with wanna be actor Alan (Daniel Stoltenberg). Oh and did I mention that Roscoe is dead? So it's no longer him looking to marry Pauline but his twin sister Rachel (Kayla Teel) who's posing as Roscoe to hide from the police. And Rachel doesn't want to marry Pauline as she's in love with Stanley (Luke Sayler). Confused? Well hang on as I haven't even mentioned the sexy bookkeeper Dolly (Madison Jade Jones) or the lawyer, the prison chef, the two bumbling waiters or the little tramp (Sierra Kagen, Laura Steele, Henry James Walker, Mark Waldstein and AnDrew Scott Bullard).

This is simply put one of those comedies where you turn off your brain and hang on to your butt for a night of hilarity. Director Ken Michels has taken a few liberties with some gender swapped characters and true, the lightning fast timing needed for a farce like this wasn't always there but I'm going to chalk that up to an off night as all the talent and intent was there as were all the musical interludes from the band (Elijah Pasco and Jon Brenner) and the cast as they changed the scenes which made the evening even more boisterous and fun (if that's even possible).

The ensemble cast is sublime, each one delightfully teetering on going over the top with their ridiculous characters. Riippi and Stoltenberg make for one of the most outrageously hilarious couples with Riippi's naiveté (oh let's just say it, she's an idiot) and Stoltenberg's overly dramatic speeches (typical blowhard actor). Teel and Sayler come in a close second for the most adorable couple each with their wonderful desperation to be together. Jones is a winner as the sultry Dolly and has a killer voice to boot. And I have to mention Walker and Waldstein as the two waiters especiAlly Walker as the elderly Alfie in a physical comedy routine that rivaled the likes of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. But it's Roby as the blundering Frances that has to pull off the lion's share of the show and he does it with grace and seemingly boundless energy. He seems to have not only mastered every single nuance of the show from pratfall to perfect timing but also manages to play beautifully with one of the most dangerous things an actor can play with, the audience.

I could go on and on at all the wonderful bits in the show but better you see it for yourself. In short if you like to laugh then don't miss this one. And so I give Sound Theatre Company's "One Man, Two Guvnors" a rousing YAY. Or at least I will once I can catch my breath from laughing so hard.

"One Man, Two Guvnors" from Sound Theatre Company performs at the Center House Theatre through August 27th. For tickets or information visit them online at www.soundtheatrecompany.org.

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