Editor's Note: The following is a review of an earlier production. This is now being performed from December 7, 2021 - January 30, 2022. Visit the Broadway in Chicago website for details.
Read the related story -- Broadway in Chicago Presents $25 Tickets on the 25th
People who work in theatre know the inherit fear that something will go wrong in the show. Why, just last month this writer met a member of the crew after seeing Miss Saigon, and they asked if the helicopter had worked that night! (Apparently they had some trouble with it when they were in San Francisco…)
But what if someone decided to take all those fears and make them come true? An actor’s nightmare come to life on stage - THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG captures all these fears and theatrical mishaps in a wild night out at the theatre.
Broadway in Chicago Is Falling Apart
Immediately upon entering the theatre, something is terribly amiss. Two members of the stage crew walk up and down the aisle looking for their lost dog. And as the audience settles in, we’re forewarned we’re sitting in the danger zone as some of the lights may fall on our heads.
Not to worry however, no danger will actually come to audience members as all the chaos and mishaps are contained to the stage. Like a mash-up of a sketch comedy show and a murder mystery, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a play within a play where a theatre troupe is staging a murder mystery play and nothing can seem to go right.
The cast and crew battle everything from misplaced props, to actors being knocked out cold, to the set literally falling apart before our eyes!
Laughs From Start to Finish
Though it sounds like the show might just be gimmicks and slapstick comedy to get some cheap laughs, THE PLAY THE GOES WRONG multiplies each gag by a thousand to get genuine laugh out loud moments from their audience. It felt like there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as everyone laughs so hard they’re crying the entire time because the situations are ones you wouldn’t even dream possible.
In addition to these insane slapstick moments, the writing of the show itself is clever with multiple set-ups for running gags each paying off by the end.
Campy and Fun
The actors of this show are skilled at playing terrible actors. They make each carefully scripted moment seem like it’s a spontaneous moment of mishap - we’re constantly surprised and can’t tell what will happen next!
Jamie Ann Romero as the leading actress fiercely battles assistant stage manager Angela Grovey for her role back, but Grovey has a newfound love of the spotlight and won’t be taken out so easily.
Peyton Crim handles many situations quite gracefully, even when drinking paint thinner and practically falling off the stage.
Ned Noyes has found the audience loves his outrageous acting and becomes quite a ham for the applause.
Scott Cote just can’t seem to remember how to pronounce his lines and Yaegel T. Welch can’t seem to hit his cues!
And Evan Alexander Smith (who we’ve seen before as Joseph from Drury Lane’s Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat) as the leader of the troupe has an air of John Cleese in Fawlty Towers just trying to keep the production from falling apart like so many of their others.
Though the premise seems straightforward and you might think you know what to expect, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG keeps you shocked and thrilled at every turn. It’s a fun production for any type of outing and a good pick for anyone who loves comedies and outrageous situations.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
CAST:
Scott Cote
Peyton Crim
Brandon J. Ellis
Angela Grovey
Ned Noyes
Jamie Ann Romero
Evan Alexander Smith
Yagel T. Welch
Blair Baker
Jacqueline Jarrold
Sid Solomon
Michael Thatcher
CREATIVE:
Matt DiCarlo
Nigel Hook
Ric Mountjoy
Andy Johnson
Roberto Surace
When:
Now through December 16, 2018
Tuesdays at 7:30PM
Wednesdays at 2PM and 7:30PM
Thursdays at 7:30PM
Fridays at 7:30PM
Saturdays at 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays at 2:00PM and 7:30PM (no evening performance on Sunday, December 16)
Where:
Oriental Theatre
24 W Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601
Tickets:
$28-$98
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Broadway in Chicago website
Photos Jeremy Daniel
Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
About the Author
Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.
Editor's Note: Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski
