Eric Sharp

‘Wrong’ goes right at the IRT

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By John Lyle Belden

One of the great ironic tricks of theatre is that it takes true professionals to portray clumsy amateurs in a way that delivers side-splitting comedy. This we get from Indiana Repertory Theatre with “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

This was a U.K. and Broadway hit by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer, who apparently spend their time in London making other stage genres and classic stories “go wrong.” The script invokes the spirit of Murphy’s Law, in that practically every prop will break or fail and every conceivable mistake can and will be made – combined with a determined “the show must go on” attitude.

This appears to be the Indianapolis premiere, though there were productions last year in Bloomington and Carmel (we reviewed those as well, in case this looks familiar).

To ensure that everything goes perfectly catastrophic, the IRT Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director, Benjamin Hanna, directs. The cast includes a couple of the players from last autumn’s “Spelling Bee,” Brent Mutter and Dominque Lawson, and two local masters of physical comedy, Rob Johansen and Claire Wilcher.

The play takes place in England at the Cornley Drama Society’s opening night of “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” The whodunit’s director (Eric Sharp), who also plays the detective, is grateful to finally get a production under way with a full cast, once the technical director Trevor (Ryan Hallahan) and stage manager Annie (China Brickey) are set. The mystery starts from opening curtain with the victim Charles (Johansen) lying on a chaise at center stage. Entering, despite a stuck door, are his best friend Thomas (Mutter), his brother Cecil (Lawson), fiancé Florence (Sarah Coakley Price), and the butler Perkins (Wilcher). Was this murder? Detective Carter arrives to determine it was, and everyone is a suspect.

Of course, this Agatha Christie-style story is constantly upstaged by things falling and failing all over the place, nothing where it’s supposed to be, and cleaning fluid in place of the stage-whiskey. Add to this some superb bad acting, such as Lawson’s comically broad gestures resembling bad attempts at sign language, or Wilcher’s need to have key words written on her hand – and always mispronounced.

Things get even more bizarre when Florence is accidentally knocked out and Annie, script in hand, must immediately take her place, going about as well as you’d expect. Eventually, Price and Brickey are two concussed, dueling Florences fighting for the spotlight.

Throughout, this is a masterpiece of mayhem. The non-stop hilarity surpasses even favorite farces like “Noises Off,” with chaos comparable to Monty Python or The Marx Brothers at their manic best.

Credit goes to Christopher and Justin Swader for the hilariously hazardous stage design.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” runs through May 11 on the mainstage at IRT, 140 W. Washington St., in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Get info and tickets at irtlive.com.

No mystery why you should see ‘Clue’ at IRT

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By Wendy Carson 

With all the recent variants (I find the Simpsons version very amusing) as well as a modern upgrade of the original, I think it’s safe to say most of us have played the game of “Clue” at least once. Add to this the widespread interest in murder mysteries (real and fictional) and that the board game is the subject of a film with a large cult following, and you have the perfect recipe for a hilariously good night of theater.

Adapted to the stage by Sandy Rustin, based on the movie script by Jonathan Lynn, the delightfully kooky script has been taken up by Indiana Repertory Theatre director Benjamin Hanna and brought together a dream team of local and regional talents to elevate “Clue” to previously unknown comical heights. Though the plot and characters echo Lynn’s screenplay, there are numerous brilliant additions (apparently the house was built by the Parker Brothers) to keep you laughing anew. Even the game board shows up at one point, as a handy map to the labyrinthine mansion.

Scenic designer Czerton Lim pulls out all the creative stops in giving us a set with multiple slamming doors, secret passageways, moving walls, and tributes to the game and movie (yes, that is Tim Curry as Mr. Boddy in the painting).

John Taylor Philips brings out all of Wadsworth’s condescending arrogance in his turn as the butler and ersatz host of the evening’s events. Andrea San Miguel brings all of the maid Yvette’s cheeky mischief and charm. Henry Woronicz plays up Colonel Mustard’s dotage, yet keeps him somewhat austere. Emjoy Gavino subtly shows Mrs. White’s predatory instincts while still keeping her endearing. Beethovan Oden’s turn as Professor Plum highlights the character’s belief that he is the smartest man in any room. Emily Berman’s version of Miss Scarlet is even more sultry and sassy than expected. IRT favorite Ryan Artzberger easily adapts to each of his three roles, even with mortal wounds.

Eric Sharp takes full advantage of his character’s expansion in this script and brings a delightful bumbling nerdiness to Mr. Green. Claire Wilcher adds another level of comic genius to her spectacular performance as the seemingly prim Mrs. Peacock. Not to be outdone, Devan Mathias plays three different roles with such gusto that two of them have to be killed to keep her from stealing the show.

Whether you have seen the movie, played the game or just want to see a show that will have you laughing almost non-stop, get a “Clue,” playing through May 20 on the IRT mainstage, 140 W. Washington St., downtown Indianapolis. NOTE: Dressing up as any of the characters (old or new), also adds another level of enjoyment to the experience. (I was one of many “Peacocks” on opening night.)

Get info and tickets at irtlive.com.