Mel DeVito

Wild Wilde comedy at Buck Creek

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Earnest Bunbury John Lyle Belden

Buck Creek Players takes on a classic comedy tackling issues of identity within a strict society, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which playwright Oscar Wilde cheekily called “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.”

The subtext was hardly trivial for Wilde, with this well-received 1895 play coming out shortly before his infamous legal spat that had him imprisoned for homosexuality (a crime in Victorian Britain). For BCP, director Mel DeVito sought to enhance the comedy’s queerness with cross-gender casting.

Amanda McCabe said that when she auditioned, she had no idea she would become Jack “Earnest” Worthing. “I believe Wilde would have loved this,” she said after a performance. DeVito agrees, adding, “I just wanted to see Ben (Jones) in a dress” – which he is as haughty mistress of manners Lady Augusta Bracknell. Judy Lombardo plays both the servant parts, one as male and one female. Paige Scott, whose past roles include a trans character in “Hedwig,” portrays a rather distinguished clergyman, Dr. Chausable.

We open at the home of Algernon Moncrieff (Aaron Beal), where Earnest (McCabe) has come to woo his cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax (Brittany Magee). Our suitor wins her heart, but not her hand as Aunt Augusta, a/k/a Lady Bracknell (Jones), forbids their union, considering the young man’s rakish reputation and apparent low birth.

Mr. Worthing has two more complications: Gwendolen insists she will only marry a man named “Earnest,” and Algernon has found the proof that is not his name. As for the latter, cynically jovial Algernon finds it amusing that his friend also enjoys “Bunburying” – named for his habit of avoiding responsibilities by going to visit his non-existent “invalid friend” named Bunbury. Worthing says his double life lets him be serious “Jack” around his ward, the beautiful young heiress Cecily Cardew (Kielynn Tally), and “Earnest,” Jack’s younger more fun-loving brother, elsewhere.

The plot twists and thickens when Algernon goes to call on Cicely, introducing himself to governess Miss Prism (Tracy Herring) as Earnest. This thrills the girl, who always wanted to marry a man by that name.

As Lady Bracknell says later, coincidences are very unseemly. Wilde’s pen seemed not to care.

The casting and sharply delivered performances bring out all the fun and make the satire relatable, including obliviousness to hypocrisy, vice as virtue, and women’s thoughts in diary form being a sort of official record of social life. McCabe embodies Jack/Earnest with dashing charm and Chaplain-esque nimbleness. Magee and Tally both play wily and smart, especially when the young women have the upper hand over their “Earnests.” Beal plays Algernon as a smooth cad, yet ever likable.

Jones commands the stage, perfectly blending a stern Victorian matron and a no-nonsense drag persona. Lombardo speaks volumes with an eye roll. Herring gets moments to shine when her small role becomes more integral to the denouement. Scott is subtly wonderful, even while Chausible is perplexed but willing to re-christen adult men.

For a fun old “trivial comedy” as you’ve never seen it before, “The Importance of Being Earnest” has one more weekend, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12-14, at the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave., Indianapolis (Acton Road exit off I-74). Get tickets and info at buckcreekplayers.com.

BCP comedy toasts strong women

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

For some women of a certain age, change is about more than just their inner biology. It can mean the end of a marriage – by death or divorce – or even loss of employment. In such events, one could use a drink!

Enter “The Savannah Sippin’ Society,” a comedy by celebrated writers Jesse Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten presented by Buck Creek Players, directed by Mel DeVito.

Randa (Georgeanna Teipen) was a top architect at her firm, but when passed over for promotion to partner, she totally lost her temper and her job. Seeking new experiences, she tries hot yoga – a mistake, but sharing in her misery she meets Dot (Beth Popplewell), still adjusting to life after her husband’s passing, and Marlafaye (Nancy Laudeman) who wouldn’t mind her ex being deceased as well. Without realizing it, Randa invites them to her nearby home for a “happy hour,” then decides it might be worth a try. On their first afternoon on Randa’s veranda (they even say that), Dot has also invited aesthetician Jinx (Gloria Bray), who aspires to be a life coach – and this trio seem perfect for her first clients.

What follows are various adventures that we mostly hear about. Since this isn’t a movie with multiple sets, supporting cast, and stunt performers, these four take turns narrating the events they go through in search of a more fulfilling life, interspersed with scenes on the veranda. Aside from a fateful surprise party, there are cocktail breaks during which they discuss their progress, or lack thereof. This formula works thanks to clever, funny dialogue and the talents of the cast. When not hitting each other with the punchlines, they grow an authentic feeling of friendship that we can’t help but sense. With the Georgia accents, this feels like “Steel Magnolias,” but with more drinking and less sadness.

No real booze is served at the Buck Creek Playhouse, but you can still enjoy your time with the “Savannah Sippin’ Society” in their remaining performances, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 14-16, at 11150 Southeastern Ave. (Acton Road exit off I-74), Indianapolis. Get tickets at buckcreekplayers.com.

Bewitching comedy at Buck Creek

PWJW_Indy Reviews, Stage , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By John Lyle Belden

If you had the power to acquire anything you desired, when you get it, is it truly yours? Now, change that to “any-one.”

Buck Creek Players puts a little spooky in Spring with their production of the classic comedy, “Bell Book and Candle,” by John Van Druten. If the story of genuine spellcasting witches living among us looks familiar, the 1950 play (and the 1958 film version) was part of the inspiration for the hit TV sitcom “Bewitched.”

On Christmas Eve in 1950s New York, Gillian Holroyd (Anna Spack), the more powerful and practical of her witchy clan, notices a tenant of her building, Shep Henderson (Josh Rooks), is quite handsome. Upon finding out from silly Aunt Queenie (Nancy Laudeman) that Shep will soon be engaged to a woman Gillian has hated since they were schoolmates, she decides powerful magic to ensnare him will be worth the risk. But first, Gillian’s equally carefree brother Nicky (Ben Jones) and Queenie are there to exchange gifts. His to them are copies of non-witch Sidney Redlitch’s latest book “Magic in Mexico,” so the witches and warlock can mock it. But knowing Shep, a publisher, wants to work with Redlitch (Jeremy Teipen), they use the photo on the book jacket to cast a summoning spell.

With a little help from feline familiar Pyewacket, the magic is set into motion, and love, or something like it, is in the air. Calling off his engagement, Shep seems contented in Gillian’s arms, and he’s poised to work with Redlitch on his book about witches in the Big Apple. However, as anyone familiar (pardon the pun) with witchlore in any medium (sorry, can’t help it) knows that when significant energy goes out, who knows how it will come back.

Suddenly, Shep is confused, overwhelmed, and proposing marriage. Also, it turns out Nicky is helping Redlitch in exchange for drawing illustrations, and that Nicky and Queenie have taken him around the NYC magickal community. For Gillian, who takes her spellwork seriously, and had only wanted Shep for a good time, this could spell – I mean, lead to – disaster! And on top of it all, she’s starting to develop strange new feelings; this could cost her far more than she ever anticipated.

Directed by Mel DeVito, the rom-com that helped bring us Samantha, Sabrina, and arguably the “Charmed” sisters, is truly a bewitching delight.

Rooks, stepping into the shoes of the likes of Rex Harrison and Jimmy Stewart, gives us another example of the likable everyman character he is gaining mastery of. His constantly conflicted soul is plain for all to see, feeling put-upon by outside forces while never entirely yielding his inner strength. Spack is commanding without being bossy, clearly the woman in charge, even when things start to go sideways. Queenie, who only recently embraced her powers, is played by Laudeman as both the “cool aunt” and a little girl enjoying her new toys – which makes her both fun and, in Gillian’s mind, in need of restraint. Jones (who admits to using Paul Lynde as a touchstone) presents Nicky as practically giddy at any chance to wield some powers. A practiced warlock, he only lets Gillian limit him to a degree. Teipen, our other “mortal” in the cast, goes from drunkenly taking it all as a gag (he was summoned from a Christmas party) to soberly seeing he’s in over his depth in genuine occult activity.

Pyewacket is a clever rather life-like animatronic, moving and mewing precisely on cue. Without seeing a special credit for the kitty, I’ll note that props are by DeVito and Suzi Brown. Costumes, an eclectic mix of conservative, wild, and glamorous, as needed, are by Tiffany Wilson. Rich Laudeman is stage manager.

Fun and enchanting, see “Bell, Book and Candle” this Friday through Sunday, April 5-7 at Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeast Ave. (Acton Road Exit off I-74), Indianapolis, or the Witches might not bring back the Sun after they blot it out on the 8th. Tickets at buckcreekplayers.com.