BWW Reviews: BERMUDA AVENUE TRIANGLE - Wacky, Over-the-Top Laughs

BWW REVIEWS: "BERMUDA AVENUE TRIANGLE" - "WACKY, OVER-THE-TOP LAUGHS"

By Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna
March 21st - April 12th, 2014

Directed by Robin New

The Carrolwood Players have gone Over-the-Top with laughs in their latest, wacky comedy, "BERMUDA AVENUE TRIANGLE".

The two Act comedy revolves around two, stereotypical, lonely, senior citizen, widows, who reluctantly move into a Las Vegas condo, purchased by their respective daughters. Their lives change dramatically, when, gigolo, Johnny Paolucci enters the scene.

"BERMUDA AVENUE TRIANGLE" was written by and starred, husband and wife, Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna. After seeing this comedy, one can easily imagine these personalities, in these heavily ethnic roles. It is very much like a television sit-com, in its basic structure, with broad acting, sex jokes, and impossible characters.

The set design by James Cass was over-the-top perfection. The bright pink, striped wallpaper and bright greenish -blue accents made a delightfully, hideous Las Vegas condominium.

Tall and wiry, Marianne Meichenbaum's broad, deadpan, delivery and facial expressions, added to her audience appeal as the assertive, grumpy, Tess LaRuffa.

Petite and round, sob sister, MaryAnn Bardi started the laughs with her crying jags and disgruntled demeanor.

As the loveable con man, Johnny Paolucci, Ron Forth engaged the audience as soon as he entered the scene as the sharp dressed, inebriated gigolo.

Henry J. Bardi plays Rabbi Jeffrey Levine with comic conviction. Penny Willen, as Tess's daughter Angela, whines her way through the typical mother-daughter challenges.

Kudos to Mary F. Jordan, as Rita, Fanny's daughter. Ms. Jordan gives a solid, honest portrayal of her character, allowing the dialogue to dictate the comedy in a natural flow, without ever going into overdrive.

Director Robin New's staging was clean and her actors were well rehearsed. Ms.New is to be commended for her efforts on a most challenging script and what could have all been unlikable characters, in the hand of another directior.Ms. New kept the second act at a most welcomed, brisk pace, that kept the audience laughing.

Costume Design by James Cass was colorful and plentiful. The lighting and sound design by Frank Stinehour was clear and well balanced. Stage Managers Connie Jones and Pat Jones kept the show moving smoothly.

If you like BROAD, OVER-THE-TOP COMEDY, this is the show for YOU!

Please support Community Theatre and all of the volunteers that put in endless time and talent, to make the magic happen, simply... "for the LOVE of the theatre".

For mature audiences.

"BERMUDA AVENUE TRIANGEL" runs February 14th - March 8th, 2014

Ticket Prices $18.00 There are special Student/Military and Senior discounts are available upon request
CALL - (813) 265-4000
The theatre is located at 4335 Gunn Hwy Tampa, Fl, 33618
The next production at Carrollwood Players is "The AMOROUS AMBASADOR",April 25th,- May 17th, 2014

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