BWW Reviews: Carrollwood Players' WHO MAID WHO? - Naughty, Bawdy, Fun!

The audience repeatedly howled with laughter. One patron exclaimed. "I can't remember when I laughed so hard!" Another patron, (while trying to catch her breath), said "This is hilarious!"

And, LAUGHTER, is precisely how the audience reacted time and time again, at the Carrolwood Players current production of the farce, "WHO MAID WHO?", by David Lassig.

The farcical story line of "WHO MAID WHO", revolves around middle-aged "Joe", who goes off to his lakeside cabin for a romantic, getaway weekend, with his mistress. One by one, unexpected guests show up,(including his wife), in a sequence of nonsensical events, with mistaken identities, and sudden surprises, that brought the audience to a standing ovation.

There are seven doors and a hall way entrance, that are constantly used throughout the play. This production gives the adage "in one door and out the other", an entirely new meaning, although so very typical of a bedroom farce.

The split stage Set Design of the lake cabin, by Shirley Overton and Joe Thomas, proved to be resourceful, as was the Lighting Design by Keith Postle, the Sound Design by Carl Canestrano and the Costume Design by Stage Director, Dee Ford.

The cast was well rehearsed and memorized lots and lots of lines, in the over 2 and a half hour farce. Carrollwood Players newcomer, Carl Canestrano as Joe, gave a great deal of energy to his role. He did a wonderful job of memorizing a multitude of challenging lines and staging.

Penni Willen, gives the right amount of assertiveness to her portrayal of Robin, (Joe's wife) in a confident performance. Joe Thomas pulls out all of the stops, as Chris, (Joe's best friend and alibi). Raven haired temptress, Ashley "Kix" Marval, makes a petite, "naughty but nice" Marsha, (Joe's mistress). Lovely, Tracy Roese is a sweet and understanding Beth, (Chris's wife). Robert Redmond is likeable and adds humor to the "straight role", as Officer Roger Jones. As George, (Joe's lustful father), wire haired, Dale Noss, makes the most out of his role.

The highlight of the production is Trish Farber as Gladys, Joe's inebriated, British mother. Once again, Ms. Farber takes a star turn in what could have been a "throw away role".

Reminiscent of the late, great, Gloria Swanson in the classic "Sunset Boulevard", Ms. Farber captivates the audience with her every move and facial expression, always in anticipation of what might be, her next "close-up". In the stage veteran's hands of Ms. Farber, her relatively small role becomes a masterpiece of what farce is all about. It takes a great actress to "make magic" out of a challenging script and uninspired staging, and Ms. Farber's performance alone, is worth the price of admission.

And so, if you like a naughty, bawdy, bedroom farce, look no futher.

GO SEE "WHO MAID WHO?" at the Carrollwood Players, playing through February 1st, 2014.

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". Go see it!

For mature audiences (adult subject matter). "WHO MAID WHO?" runs January 10th through February 1st, 20134. 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 "Social Security", February 14th - March 8th, 2014.

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