By Holly Gould
There are times when theater-goerssimply seek out a great night of comedy, and Utah Valley University School of the Arts‘ lively production of Noises Off at the beautiful Noorda Center for the Performing Arts in Orem is simply one of the best. This fiercely funny farce by English playwright Michael Frayn has been delighting audiences since 1982. The idea for the show came when Frayn was watching one of his own plays from the wings. He said, “It was funnier from behind than in the front, and I thought that one day, I must write a farce from behind.”
Noises Off is a play within a play filled with unusual and quirky characters who audience members like almost instantly. Presented in three acts taking place at different stages of the play’s run, attendees get to know each character better, and grow to like them even more as the show develops. Dealing with the show’s regular mishaps becomes more complicated when romantic escapades, diva attitudes, and constantly absent actors reach a boiling point backstage.
The evening starts out with a pre-show by an energetic ensemble of stage crew/performers who warm up the audience with high-energy song and dance numbers. They entertain while working hard–or hardly working in some cases–to get the show ready to start. The group’s voices carry well and blend together in beautiful harmonies.
Kyle Baugh plays Lloyd Dallas, the temperamental director who is desperately trying to get this show together. Sarcastic, loud, and demanding, Baugh skillfully reminds anyone who is involved in theater of all the stereotypical show directors they have been involved with. He has a wide emotional range with a physically demanding stage presence. He also shows great physicality in the slapstick comedy throughout the evening.
Dottie (Olivia Casper) is the absent-minded housekeeper. Casper’s accent is terrific, and her comedic timing is impeccable.
Logan Murphy plays the serious actor Garry quite well and is hilarious when his jealous side comes out in Act Two.
The self-absorbed Brooke Ashton is played convincingly by Hallie Purser with confidence. Her portrayal is fun and focused.
Homeowners Philip and Flavia BrentThis treatment method focuses on teaching children some skills to fight their distress and fear of separation. ordering viagra without prescription Causes of Premature Ejaculation In most cases of premature ejaculation, low libido, erectile dysfunction etc. canadian viagra pharmacy In effect, clients were instructed and advised through a series of sexual experiences to http://www.molineanimalaid.org/viagra-8157 pfizer viagra 50mg rediscover sexual pleasure with their and their partner’s bodies. Some of the patients get this issue sorted out. viagra buy australia is consumed orally and there are many brands that produce erectile dysfunction medication containing this ingredient. (Riki Squire and Abigail Watts) are caught up in tax trouble. Squire is delightfully dimwitted in his character and his fear of blood and violence brings consistent laughs. Watts brings a much-needed façade of calm to the often-chaotic stage, and her facial expressions are her greatest comedic weapon.
Stage managers are vital to any production and this is proven by Kathy Frye and Caleb Collier as Poppy and Tim, who bring the overworked, under-appreciated characters to life are. They have a fun chemistry as they work together on the details of the show. Frye brings a high-strung energy that explodes with power, while Collier shows a quieter and more nervous character. His lines as an understudy are delivered hilariously deadpan, and he has some fun surprises throughout the evening.
My personal favorite character of the night is Josh Needles’s portrayal of Selsdon, an old “professional” with a long career and a drinking problem. Just his presence onstage evokes laughter as his slow shuffle and his hearing problems delight the audience.
This show is truly a masterpiece for a finely-tuned ensemble, with each actor contributing heavily. Laurie Harrop-Purser directs this ensemble cast well. There is so much physical effort involved in a farce comedy, and there is so much going on, yet everyone holds their part and character so well that the audience has much to see, no matter where the main focus is onstage. The script is complicated, with the performers playing actors, who are playing characters in the play–-meaning that most of the cast plays two different characters through the night, and the transitions are riotously entertaining.
The audience is treated to a rare behind-the-scenes look at the technical aspects of the theater with scenic and lighting designs by Grahm Whipple and Aaron Gubler that show the backstage side as well as the front set that theater-goers are all used to. Sound design by Gavin Henry highlights the humor in the script and costumes by Amy Whipple are fun and comically functional.
They say that laughter is the best medicine. If you feel like you could use a dose of something fantastically funny, UVU’s production of Noises Off is sure to hit your funny bone. This hilarious farce where the cast is not ready, the director is losing his mind, and love triangles and jealousy create more than enough backstage drama brought me a night filled with the most laughs I have experienced in a long time. This play contains adult situations that some audiences might find uncomfortable, so maybe leave the little ones home this time, but if you need a funny fix, head to the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts at UVU in Orem for giggles and guffaws galore.
Utah Valley University School of the Arts Presents Noises Off by Michael Frayn
Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, Smith Theater, 800 W University Parkway, Orem, Utah, 84058
Feb 28 – March 7, 2020 7:30 PM, Matinee March 7 at 2:00 PM
Tickets: – $12-17
Contact: 801-863 PLAY (7529)
www.uvu.edu/arts/
Noorda Center for the Performing Arts Facebook Page
Noises Off Facebook Event
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