Leading Ladies—Lakewood Theatre Company—Lake Oswego

 

Treading the Boards

    This farce by Ken Ludwig and directed by Stephanie Mulligan plays through April 10^th at their theatre, 368. S. State St.  For more information, go to their site at www.lakewood-center.org or call 503-635-3901.  Full Covid restrictions apply.

    Because of a screw-up in communications, I wasn’t apply to see this show opening weekend…and it ends this weekend, so giving a full review might not help much.  So, after I give a brief synopsis of the plot, I will apply another approach to enticing you to the theatre—concentrating on the actors and company who present these productions.

    The plot concerns two third-rate Shakespearean actors from London, Leo Clark (Sam Dinkowitz), the “brains” of the duo (a Zero Mostel type) and Jack Gable (Philip J. Berns), the stooge of the team (a Gene Wilder type).  They desire to be in the limelight and makes loads of bucks, too.  A chance ad in the newspaper tells of a rich, dying old dowager, Florence (Margie Boule’), who is seeking some lost relatives from England, Max and Stephen.  So, being actors and English, they decide to assume those identities.

    Upon meeting the “family” they discover a Reverend, Duncan (Nathan Dunkin), who plans on marring into the family with Meg (Jessica Tidd). There is also her doctor (Don Stewart Burns), his son Butch (Matt Sunderland), and his girlfriend, Audrey (Jessi Walters).  It is a madcap, gender twisting romp through a bygone era of Wilde and Coward and the Bard “…signifying nothing.”

    The play is a bit long (almost 3 hours) and repetitious but always fun, as we have a master director of comedy, Mulligan, pulling the strings.  I have reviewed all these actors before and they are, indeed, the cream of the crop!  Dinkowitz is a whiz at broad comedy and Berns amazing at physical comedy (ala, Jerry Lewis or Stan Laurel).  Boule’ is a consummate actor going from playing the Spider Woman, , to a Governor of Texas, to a dimwitted girl coming face-to face with a man-eating plant, et. al.  And not to forget, Steve Knox, Executive Director, who is a fine director in his own right.  All the cast included, having long, successful careers in all types of theatre and should be applauded for their service to the Arts!

    These folks are special for they are truly artists.  “Do not seek out Art, for Art, if it finds you worthy, will guide your path!”  This cast is the worthiest of the worthy and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down “…as they have miles to go before they sleep.”  “Live long and prosper,” my fellow Artist!

    I recommend this show for its amazing cast.  If you do see it, tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS