Review: Rep's Brilliantly Funny Production of OVER THE TAVERN

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis continues their stellar season with their third consecutive play concerning issues of faith, and just like those other two productions, it's a definite winner. Playwright Tom Dudzick has constructed a terrific, semi-autobiographical coming of age piece that's both uproariously funny and emotionally touching. Over the Tavern is required viewing, and a perfect indulgence for the holiday season, with a wonderful cast delivering impressive performances under the expert guidance of director Michael Evan Haney.

Over the Tavern is set in the fall of 1959 in Buffalo, New York, and follows a dysfunctional Polish Catholic family who live above the titular business establishment. We see the action unfold through the eyes of the young and precocious Rudy, who's a class clown of sorts, and far more interested in honing his Ed Sullivan imitation than memorizing the text of the catechism, as he reluctantly approaches the time of his confirmation. He's completely at odds with Sister Clarissa, an aging and ailing nun who dispenses punishment with the back of her hand or a well-placed ruler. When Rudy decides that he's not interested in being a "soldier for Christ", and walks out on Sister Clarissa during detention, he unwittingly sets in motion a series of events that wind up affecting his entire family.

Spencer Davis Milford does outstanding as Rudy, and he really displays a knack for comic timing with his sharp delivery of Dudzick's smart-ass punchlines. Rudy is the focus of most of the action that takes place, even with he's just on the periphery, and Milford is completely up to the task. Darrie Lawrence is a real treasure as Sister Clarissa. She may be a product of a system that but she's also keenly aware that the times are quickly changing, and the her eventual softening is a relief in a way.

Kevin Cutts is powerful as the family patriarch, Chet, clearly troubled by unresolved issues with his father that have caused him to angrily shut himself off from his own family. Celeste Ciulla is a rock as Rudy's mother, Ellen, coping as well as she can with a brood that's spiraling off into different directions, as well as a husband she can't seem to connect with anymore. Eric Nelson is quite good as Rudy's older, and perpetually horny brother, Eddie, and Katie McClellan also shines as his romance-starved sister, Annie. Both actors get the opportunity to further develop their characters with entertaining subplots. Braden Phillips rounds out the cast in fine fashion as Rudy's mentally-challenged little brother, Georgie.

Director Michael Evan Haney draws assured performances from his ensemble, and even though the first act runs a little long, you'll never notice since the pace is kept upbeat throughout. Paul Shortt's scenic design brilliantly captures the era, and a billboard with the visage of Ed Sullivan beaming is just a perfect, over the top touch. Dennis Parichy's lighting frames each scene and moment nicely, and Rusty Wandall's sound design warmly evokes the times, while Dorothy Marshall Englis provides costumes that neatly fit the period.

Over the Tavern is perfectly charming and witty, and filled with dozens of memorably funny lines that linger in the mind long after the show is over. Do yourself a favor and get some holiday cheer by seeing the Rep's superb production, which is playing through December 26, 2010 at the Loretto-Hilton.

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