Paul Slade Smith

Cops are up to something (very) funny at Center Stage

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By John Lyle Belden

Lebanon’s Center Stage Community Theatre presents a wild episode of law and disorder with “Unnecessary Farce,” a comedy by Broadway actor Paul Slade Smith, directed by Nicole Amsler.

In a motel at the edge of town, Eric (Hunter Nuzzie), a young police officer needing to prove himself, and partner Billie (Lauren Lotzow), who somehow got a badge despite failing nearly every academy test, are setting up an undercover sting. In the room next door, the new city accountant, Karen (Lisa Anderson) is to meet Mayor Meekly (Ron Pittman) and get him to admit to embezzling millions in public funds. However, while preparing for this, Eric and Karen have developed feelings for one another. To complicate things further, the Mayor has a devoted chief of security, Agent Frank (Matt Anderson), who notices (almost) every detail in the room.  

With hijinks aplenty, mad misunderstandings, and doors to slam, we get a raucous comedy with a smidge of thriller as the workings of the local Scottish mafia – “the Clan, with a ‘C’” – are revealed, bringing on the feared Highland Hitman, a killer known as (dramatic pause) Todd! (Kevin Shadle). Then eventually, the Mayor’s wife, Mary (Julia Wallyn), comes looking for her husband.

Amsler has the good fortune of a great cast for this kind of show. Lotzow has been excellent in various roles over the last two years and definitely has a knack for comedy. Lisa Anderson gets to cleverly upstage her more practiced husband, Matt, both being masters of going with the madness (even if it means losing one’s pants) without being too over-the-top.

While most characters appear to understand the seriousness of the goings-on (no matter how absurd they’re becoming), Pittman effectively plays the Mayor as blithely oblivious, even though he was the one who proposed this suspicious event in the first place. Shadle, a treasure of Central Indiana community theatre, boldly presents another memorable character – bagpipes, thick accent, and all. Wallyn brings her own sort of disarming charm

To our surprise, this is Nuzzi’s first theatre role. His handling of scenes ranging from slapstick to romantic to standoff at gunpoint shows a natural feel for the material and solid comic chops.

As always, credit is due to the all-volunteer crew. Assistant director is Heather McKee and Stage Manager is Ava McKee. Amsler takes on many other tasks, including excellent set design and decoration with Christy Summersett – two connected hotel rooms with eight doors and good sightlines. Amsler also did costumes (including a kilt) with Heather McKee, as well as props.

A hilarious escape from the heat of summer, indulge in “Unnecessary Farce,” Friday through Sunday, through July 26, at 604 Powell Street in Lebanon. Get info and tickets at centerstagecommunitytheatre.com.

Center Stage ‘Outsider’ shows silly side of politics

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By John Lyle Belden

At times, the difficult part of satirizing today’s political scene is coming up with something nuttier than what is actually happening. Or, in the case of “The Outsider,” the hilarious comedy by Paul Slade Smith, one could premiere a play in 2015 that in some ways appears to come true in the nine years since.

Center Stage Community Theatre in Lebanon now presents “The Outsider,” directed by Matt McKee with Sabrina Lang. The play is set in an American governor’s office – which state is not said directly, but there is an Indiana flag in the corner. Also, party affiliations are never mentioned as absurdity is non-partisan.

With the popular but corrupt Gov. Larry Clarke (and his whole staff) having resigned due to a sex scandal, the top job has fallen to Lieutenant Governor Ned Newley (Matt Spurlock), who, though highly intelligent and an efficient policy wonk, is totally tongue-tied in public and has botched his swearing-in. Note this takes place “today,” with viral videos on YouTube and other sites.

Chief of Staff (and until this day, Newley’s entire staff) Dave Riley (Neil Acton) is beside himself with worry over his boss’s future. His first hire is friend and expert pollster Paige Caldwell (Veronique Duprey), who manages to bring in nationally renowned political advisor Arthur Vance (Larry Adams). Riley also requested a temp to handle administrative duties, resulting in the appearance of Louise “Lulu” Peakes (Kat Krebs), who boasts experience at dozens of firms because she never lasts a day at any of them due to comical cluelessness.

Vance feels inspired by the Newley video showing the new governor apparently unfit for office. “Unqualified is the new qualified,” says this expert on what the voters want. The fact that Gov. Newley is not stupid only complicates things as Vance sets up a TV interview with local reporter Rachel Parsons (Lauren Lotzow), who arrives with surly cameraman A.C. Petersen (Tom Smith). This attempt to keep the Governor dumbed-down takes a bizarre turn when Lulu stumbles into the office, giving Vance a look at what could be the perfect American political candidate.

Whether you think this is other-worldly absurd or an exaggerated look at current events, the play is non-stop funny, like an SNL opening skit in which all the zingers hit. Acton as Riley plays the neurotic nice guy so well Jimmy Stewart would ask for pointers. Duprey has a natural charm that works perfectly here. Adams brings on contagious energy like a 21st-century political P.T. Barnum with the right sets of cards to get anyone saying what the public (or at least a focus group) wants to hear. Lotzow ably embodies a journalist annoyed with what “the media” have become, yet she must go along to keep a job. Smith, who can make a lot of a little role, does quite a bit with the guy who just wants to stay overlooked while he does his necessary thing.

 Spurlock gives in Newley a perfect rendition of a man who was in a dream job (quietly writing good policy that the one who likes being the public face took credit for) suddenly in way over his head with nearly every neurotic trigger tripped. Still, his honesty and sense of duty towards a government he doesn’t see as bad, or a means to power for its own sake, bring him courage to do what’s right.

As Lulu, Krebs is both a charmer and talented at the deceptively difficult job of consistently playing the ditz in a manner that is so entertaining while we nearly hurt ourselves laughing. Her timing and physicality, as well as Acton’s during the fateful TV spot, elevate the hilarity even more.

Like all good satire, there is a point here, but nothing heavy-handed or preachy. If you see any real-world versions of the attitudes or archetypes presented, just keep them in mind come November.

Whether you can use some topical humor or think politics is no laughing matter, just relax and enjoy “The Outsider,” through Oct. 13 at Center Stage, 604 Powell St., Lebanon. Get info and tickets at centerstagecommunitytheatre.com.