CrazyLake

CrazyLake presents wacky western whodunit

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By John Lyle Belden

Our goofy Greenfield friends at CrazyLake Acting Company tackle the multi-genre mess of “Murder at the O.K. Corral” by Blair Graeme, who was apparently inspired to simultaneously write a farce, a Western, a tribute to television’s golden era, and a mystery that honestly keeps you guessing throughout.

Set in those mid-20th-century years when all three of your TV channels featured legendary cowboys, gunslingers, and lawmen in white hats, we are on the remote desert location of “Days of the O.K. Corral.” Famed German director Hermet Von Kibbel (Jesse Vetters) has been hired to apply his eccentric style to Episode 57: “Curse of the Rattler.”

The show stars Hoyt Hite (Luke Agee) as Marshal Bat Bannister, with Stoop Nasley (Corey Yeaman) as his sidekick Ordinary Jones, Arlene Saknusen (Taylor Shelton) as schoolmarm Miss Fripp, Betty Bannon (Alex Paddock) as saloon girl Miss Pretty, and Fred (Matt Little) as Fred, the bartender. This episode features Leslie Syntax (Chris Vehorn) as gun-toting Wild Belle Oakley; Sheila Voo (Katherine Novick) as Gloria, daughter of the Rattler’s first victim; and Duncan Cadwallader (Trever Brown) as Chief Adobe, a stereotypical (typical in context) Indian.

Von Kibbel’s wild ways are frustrating for the cast and practically abusive to his assistant and script boy Wendell Alapeno (Peyton Rader). For camera man Bosco Laine, (Ethan Stearns), it’s just another job. It quickly becomes apparent that Hoyt was hired for his dashing good looks – and that’s about it. While he comically breaks character, and what few lines he remembers aren’t always his, the other actors are not exactly A-list either. Between takes, we get in their own accents their regrets in being stuck on a sweaty soundstage rather than on Broadway – or practically anywhere else.

Things go from bad to weird when the Rattler, a vengeful Native spirit, emerges from their story to actually kill someone. Who really did it? And who could be next? While each person has their suspicions and (like everyone in showbiz) secrets, Duncan – very aware how offensive his Adobe character is – frets that he’s obviously next to die.

I won’t say here who the victim(s) is/are, because not everyone stays “dead,” which further complicates the plot. Revelations of other names (which might belong to anyone here) add to the mystery. For instance, the actors all have the same agent, the mysterious Cookie LaJar, whom none have actually met.

The play is directed by Alex Agee and Christine Schefer, answering the question of what if Agatha Christie wrote a Carol Burnett skit on the set of “Gunsmoke.” The set here, with some clever features, was designed by Dan Riddle. Andy Sparks is stage manager.

Vetters shows his talent for an unapologetically over-the-top character in Von Kibbel, while Luke Agee gives us a likeable doofus as Hoyt. Rader looks a bit like a young Weird Al, complete with manic personality, as Wendell. Novick plays a character suspiciously in flux, from girlish to sneaky, while Shelton’s Arlene has quirks of her own – including aspiring to be in a musical, and frequently flirting with Fred. Performances all around are noteworthy, as everyone eagerly contributes to the mayhem, bringing on big laughs and head-scratching twists.

To visit the Old West, go east: “Murder at the O.K. Corral” opens Friday, running July 11-12 and 18-20 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. (US 40), Greenfield. Get tickets at crazylakeacting.com or Hometown Comics in Greenfield.

CrazyLake casts entertaining ‘Spell’

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By John Lyle Belden

Lest there be any confusion, the current production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is in Greenfield.

In an odd coincidence, there is a Putnam County in Indiana (west of Indy) but the title was intended as an all-American sounding location while the musical was developed by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin in New York and Massachusetts prior to its 2005 Off-Broadway, then Tony-winning Broadway, run. So, please head just east of Indianapolis, into Hancock County, to see this CrazyLake Acting Company production, directed by Amy Studabaker and Christine Schaefer.

Studabaker is also music director, choreographer with Kaydence Forsyth, and stars as Marcy, one of the middle-school contestants at the Bee, a qualifier for the national contest in Washington, D.C.

The cast is famously an interesting assembly of adolescent eccentrics: Marcy is a high-achiever who speaks not five, but six languages; defending champ Chip (Luke Agee) is a noble Boy Scout; Leaf Coneybear (Corey Yeaman) is an imaginative but unsteady lad who spells words in trance-like outbursts; shy Olive (Taylor Shelton), who reads the dictionary like a favorite novel, speaks the word into her hand; politically-active Logainne (Alex Gawrys-Strand) traces the word on her arm; while William Barfeè (Matt Little) famously uses his “magic” foot. There are also adults of varying maturity: Mitch (Ethan Stearns), performing as “comfort counselor” as part of his court-ordered community service; Vice Principal Panch (Trever Brown), who promises he will behave much better this time; and our host Rona Lisa Peretti (Noelle Russell), the county’s leading realtor and past winner at the 3rd Annual Bee.

Zane Roberts, Alex Ross, Petra Russell, Ross McMichael, Jeff Pipkin, and Ashley Pipkin play various parents and siblings, as well as a vision of Jesus. Stage Manager Blair Connelly can be seen occasionally as the gym’s custodian.

In addition, as has been customary with this improv-inspired show from its beginning, there are three contestants drawn from the audience.

It’s interesting to see the adult actors embrace their inner children to capture the whimsy and apprehension of the “tween” transition from child to teenager. Yeaman keeps Leaf’s silliness grounded in his discovery of true potential. Studabaker and Gawrys-Strand each portray their girls feeling the pressure of high expectations, sensing they are growing up too soon. Agee plays the alpha discovering to his dismay that some things just can’t be controlled. Shelton fits the most endearing part, Olive (which she notes, anagrams to “I love”), nicely. Little’s “Bar-fay” manages to balance his know-it-all nature with enough odd charm and shielded humility to keep him likable, even one to root for.

Loaded with L-A-U-G-H-S, this Bee is buzz-worthy. The musical opens Friday, July 12, running through July 21, at H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. (U.S. 40) in downtown Greenfield. Discount tickets are available at Hometown Comics and Games. For information and tickets online go to crazylakeacting.com.

Relax with CrazyLake’s ‘Mattress’

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By John Lyle Belden

CrazyLake Acting Company brings fun and fairy tale romance to the stage with “Once Upon a Mattress,” the comedy musical by Mary Rodgers and Marshall Barer based on the Hans Christian Anderson story “The Princess and the Pea” (the 1959 Broadway production was notable for making Carol Burnett a star).

A Minstrel (Matt Little) gives us the popular version of the tale – acted out by Ellie Stearns, Charles Wallace, and Aria Studabaker – then proceeds to introduce how it “really” happened. 

Queen Aggravain (Noelle Russell) is solidly in control of the kingdom, with husband King Sextimus (Trever Brown) mute from a curse. It is decreed that no one may marry until her son Prince Dauntless (Chris O’Connor) takes a bride – who must be a genuine Princess. The Queen is sole arbiter of what “genuine” means, and with a willing accomplice Wizard (Coy Hutcherson) comes up with tests that somehow every visiting Princess fails. Lady Larken (Alex Gawrys-Strand), the senior Lady-in-Waiting, finds she really can’t wait to wed Sir Harry (Cael Savidge), so the noble knight sets forth to find a suitable Princess. The Queen sends him to the Swamplands, as surely no nobility lives there. Yet he returns with a pretty girl, bearing a crown and a pedigree – who stuns the court by swimming the moat to reach the castle.

Dauntless is in love, Aggravain is appalled, and damp dame Princess Winnifred (Katie Brown) is ready for whatever test Her Majesty comes up with. After such a crude introduction, this new contestant would surely fail a “sensitivity” test – time to order 20 mattresses.

Aside from a full cast of Knights and Ladies, we also have the antics of the Jester (Alec Cole) who is joined by the King and the Minstrel for some subversive comic relief.

Directed by Christine Schaefer and Amy Studabaker, the show features a lot of hilarity and entertaining song-and-dance, including the popular songs, “Shy!” and “Happily Ever After.” Russell is deliciously dastardly as our wicked Queen, while Trever Brown exhibits great miming and physical comedy as the randy King. O’Connor plays Dauntless a little naive and a touch spoiled, but still likable – downright adorable as the kid aching for his first kiss. Savidge manages a cool Lancelot-light portrayal, while Gawrys-Strand keeps Larken on an emotional edge without going overboard. Hutcherson makes a dandy toady. Little and Cole ably play their supporting parts, especially the latter in a nice dance number with the Jester’s father, Sliding Peter Jingle, smoothly danced by Dana Hart.

Appropriately, Katie Brown is the real deal: brilliant in acting, singing, dancing, and comic timing. (Her first scene coming on like a sort of Medieval redneck had me thinking she’d be perfect in “Annie Get Your Gun.”) Her Princess “Fred” is the kind of royalty nearly anyone could fall in love with.

A wonderful diversion from the outside heat and hassles, “Once Upon a Mattress” opens Friday and runs through July 17 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. (US 40), Greenfield. Discount tickets are available at Hometown Comics (1040 N. State St.); for information see CrazyLakeActing.com.

Silly Santa shenanigans in Greenfield

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By John Lyle Belden

You don’t have to have children to get a little silly around Christmas. In fact, allegedly normal adults can find themselves in the goofiest situations, especially when you throw in a couple of Santa suits and some festive pajamas.

This is the scene in “Sorry, Wrong Chimney,” a farce by Jack Sharkey and Leo W. Sears presented by CrazyLake Acting Company in Greenfield. Set in a more innocent time — around the 1980s — recently-married Samantha (Alexandra Kern) wants to share a romantic first Christmas with husband David (Luke Agee), but he is always working late. She confides her frustration to neighbor and best friend Natalie (Stephani McDole), who assures her there’s nothing to worry about. But then she overhears something between Natalie and David — could they be having a fling? Sam calls Natalie’s husband, Bill (Corey Yeaman), for advice; he had been napping, so comes over in his pajamas and robe — this will prove problematic.

But the trouble really begins when Bill, a psychiatrist, is talked into using his skill as a hypnotist. But instead of mesmerizing David to reinforce his love of Sam, his charm snares the Santa Claus Burglar! The bad Santa (Trever Brown) actually believes he is Kris Kringle, which his loving fiance Sheila (Chris Vehorn) has learned to live with. 

Oh, and there is also an inquisitive police officer (Coy Hutcherson). What else could go wrong?

The result is one very funny holiday diversion, complete with slapstick, slamming doors, goofy chase scenes, misplaced mesmerism and a little dirty dancing. Directed by Christine Schaefer, this talented cast elevate an okay script with a lot of great physical humor and total dedication to the absurdity in each scene.

Granted, I’ve got a soft spot for Greenfield since I used to work there, but trust me, it is again worth the drive to see “Sorry, Wrong Chimney,” Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, and Dec. 20-22, at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. (US 40) downtown. Get info and tickets at crazylakeacting.com.  

‘Mamma Mia!’ gets the local treatment

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By John Lyle Belden

It’s hard to imagine a more fun musical than “Mamma Mia,” with its high-energy blend of a sunny exotic setting, Shakespeare-worthy rom-com plot, and the familiar 70s-80s hits of international supergroup ABBA. At long last, the rights are available to community theatres, and CrazyLake Acting Company of Greenfield has taken it on in marvelous fashion. 

Set on a Greek island resort around the year 2000, young Sophie (Jamie McDowell) prepares for her wedding to boyfriend Sky (her real-world fiance, Austin Fisher) but first, she wants to invite her father, who could be one of three different men. So, she invites them all — and they all show up! This only adds to the stress for Sophie’s mother, Donna (Shari Jacobs), who fortunately has her “Dynamos” — Tanya (Noelle Russell) and Rosie (Amy Studabaker) — to literally back her up. 

The three men, Sam (Patrick McCartney), Bill (Coy Hutcherson), and Harry (Matt Little), don’t know what’s going on — at first. This will not be a typical wedding!

Throw in more than 20 others to play various roles and the chorus, and the whole production is infused with infectious fun — making it hard not to sing along.

The whole cast seems to enjoy it, too, with moments like the frog-dance of “Lay All Your Love On Me;” the three “dads” each offering to give the bride away, inspiring a wild nightmare as McDowell sings “Under Attack;” Russell going full-cougar with “Does Your Mama Know,” and even in more emotional scenes like Jacobs belting “The Winner Takes it All.”

Direction is by Studabaker and Christine Schaefer — no strangers to fun and funny goings-on, with choreography by Studabaker and Elizabeth Orr.

For much less than the last touring production’s ticket, you can experience all this with familiar (and just as talented) performers, Friday through Sunday at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. (US 40) in downtown Greenfield. Info and tickets at www.CrazyLakeActing.com.

Comfortably crazy clan at CrazyLake

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By John Lyle Belden and Wendy Carson

Given the chaotic nature of world events and the pressures we face in our individual lives, it is a perfect time for the old-fashioned eccentric wisdom of the classic stage comedy “You Can’t Take It With You,” presented by CrazyLake Acting Company in Greenfield.

Every family has its peculiar quirks but the Sycamores seem to be overachievers. Mom Penny used to paint, but now writes never-finished plays, primarily because a typewriter was delivered to their house by mistake. Daughter Essie dances around the house and makes candy even though she has talent for only one of these; she’s married to Ed, an avid printmaker and xylophonist who came for dinner eight years ago and just stayed. Dad Paul makes fireworks in the basement with the help of Mr. DePinna (the iceman who also just stayed). Grandpa, Martin Vanderhof, oversees this crazy bunch (as well as a few other colorful characters) making sure that everyone is happy.

Penny and Paul’s other daughter, Alice, an executive secretary at a high-powered Wall Street firm, is in love with the boss’s son, Tony Kirby Jr., who finds everyone charming. But his overly straight-laced parents are a different story.

Add to this some harassment from the IRS over unpaid income taxes, as well as corn flakes, snakes, explosions, a revealing party game, Russian aristocracy and live kittens on stage (yes, really!) and you get the spectacle that earned a Pulitzer Prize and inspired a Best Picture film in the 1930s, and has had audiences laughing since.

To get everyone in the mood, CrazyLake has a trio of “Andrews Sisters” serenade you at the Ricks Centre doors. On stage we get excellent performances all around, including Chris VeHorn as charming Penny, looking like the template for all sitcom moms that followed; Trever Brown as unflappable Mr. Vanderhof, whose only standard for life is to do what makes one happy; Amy Studebaker showing comic grace in a physically challenging role; Caitlyn Mabbitt and Evan Myers as our lovebirds Alice and Tony; Frances Hull as unfazed cook and maid Rheba; and Brent Oliver as appropriately uptight Mr. Kirby.

If the plot looks familiar, a form of it resurfaced in the recent “Addams Family” stage show (and perhaps echoes in the drama “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”), but this is the original. And director Chris Shaefer, who is used to working with silly shows (as boss of KidsPlay Inc.) gets the most out of this high-energy local volunteer cast.

It’s not that far a drive, and Greenfield has a nice downtown for those who show up early. Remaining performances of “You Can’t Take It With You” are this Friday through Sunday, June 29-July 1, at the H. J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. (U.S. 40). Tickets are $10 each online at www.crazylake.org, on site before the show, or in advance at Hometown Comics and Games, 1506 N. State St. (SR 9), also in Greenfield.

CrazyLake’s ‘Chaperone’ shines

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By John Lyle Belden

CrazyLake Acting Company in Greenfield has tackled musicals and comedies, so naturally, it now stages “The Drowsy Chaperone: A Musical Within a Comedy.” And it is worth the drive out to the heart of Hancock County.

(Full disclosure: John & Wendy are long-time friends and supporters of CrazyLake director Christine Schaefer [who also directs KidsPlay Inc. children’s theatre], and John used to work with one of this show’s stars, Noelle Steele, editor of the Greenfield Daily Reporter. Still – this is a good show!)

A “Man in Chair” (Trever Brown) speaks to us enthusiastically about his love of musical theater, and especially his recording of the mythical 1928 classic, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” As he plays the record, the musical comes to life in his apartment. He picks up the needle from time to time to explain to us the context and what became of the original actors.

The plot of the show within the show deals with a wedding to be hosted at the lavish home of Mrs. Tottendale (Carie McMichael), who is attended by faithful Underling (Ross McMichael). The groom is handsome oil heir Robert Martin (Austin Fisher), accompanied by Best Man, George (Matt Little); the bride is popular “Follies” star Janet Van De Graaff (Elisabeth Orr), whose Chaperone (Steele) gets “drowsy” from the contents of her flask. Show producer Feldzeig (Jake Hobbs) – shadowed by ditzy chorine Kitty (Alexandra Kern) – has to get Janet out of the wedding and back on the stage or gangster enforcers (Corey Yeaman and Jim Vetters), disguised as chefs, will pound him into their next pastry. Also in attendance is famous Latin lover, Adolpho (Luke Agee), to advance the plot. Deus ex machina duty goes to Trix the Aviatrix (Jamie McDowell).

From the start and throughout there is an atmosphere of silly fun, making the story within enjoyable. Brown easily fits the Man’s sweater; he helps us feel his devotion to and obsession with this stage gem, giving even the most odd moments and trite old lyrics weight as we see the musical through one who has studied it intensely.

For their part, the musical’s cast pull off the show excellently. While I note that this is an all-volunteer community theatre, Shaefer’s work sets a high standard – and, with the help of musical director and choreographer Amy Studabaker, they achieve it.

Steele, Orr, Fisher, Little, the McMichaels and Hobbs aquit themselves like pros. Agee goes big without being over-the-top, and if there were awards CrazyLake could qualify for, I’d nominate Kern for Best Supporting in making Kitty’s moments stand out.

For the fun, the laughs, the old-time stage nostalgia, fly on down to Greenfield – at the Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. – and see “The Drowsy Chaperone” in one of its remaining performances, Friday and Saturday (July 21-22). Tickets are $10 each at crazylake.com.

Review: Ohmygod, you guys! CrazyLake has hit with “Legally Blonde”

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Amy Studabaker (left) is townie hairdresser Paulette and Peyton Cole is Harvard law student Elle Woods in the CrazyLake Acting Company production of
Amy Studabaker (left) is townie hairdresser Paulette and Payton Cole is Harvard law student Elle Woods in the CrazyLake Acting Company production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” — CrazyLake photo

By Wendy Carson

CrazyLake’s new show, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” does a fantastic job of showcasing many of the talented young adults in the Hancock County area. With a mere 15 percent of the enormous cast consisting of adults, it’s really impressive to see these kids ruling the stage. I’m sure most of them will be off to college and out of the area very soon, but those that do stick around should be regulars on the area stages very soon.

Besides the overall level of acting and singing, the true stand-out here is the choreography by Amy Studabaker. The various dances are not only artfully crafted but perfectly executed. This is especially amazing in the numbers with seven or more dancers performing in unison. The finale with the entire cast is particularly breathtaking.

The show’s story is very faithful to the original movie’s script and the elaborate musical numbers do not detract from the story. However, like the film it was based on, it never takes itself too seriously. Hence, the running gag of Elle’s “Greek Chorus” appearing periodically thoughout.

Payton Cole is sheer perfection in her turn as Elle, a ditzy sorority girl who will do anything (including getting in to Harvard Law School) to snag the man she feels she is destined to be with. Harrison Kenn is appropriately pompous and self-involved as the object of Elle’s affections. Patrick Gawrys-Strand’s does a beautifully nuanced job in his role as Emmitt, the financially disadvantaged kid who is Elle’s most faithful supporter. Studebaker is delightful as Paulette, the salon owner with her dreams of Ireland and a better life with a good man who truly supports her.

Still, many of the true stand-outs are in some of the “lesser role,” such as the divine band of ladies playing Elle’s sorority sisters and the Greek Chorus. Trevor Brown’s take on Kyle, the UPS guy, was hilarious and fun to behold. Of course, I cannot leave out the amazing talents of the two most adorable cast members, Banner McDowell-Fisher and Buddy Brown as Bruiser Woods and Rufus — they were consummate professionals through and through.Honestly, I could easily write at least a dozen or so more paragraphs highlighting every single performer and role but I already feel like I’m exhausting my audience’s patience as well as running out of adjectives. So just let me say that every single cast member was sheer perfection, and if anyone out there misses this production, they will truly regret it.

Performances are today through Sunday and July 17-19 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. in downtown Greenfield (on U.S. 40, just west of the county courthouse). Info and tickets at the CrazyLake Facebook page and CrazyLake.com.