Latest news with #ThePlayThatGoesWrong
Ottawa Citizen
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
St. Mother Teresa presented a 'brilliantly executed' production of The Play That Goes Wrong
Article content Alexander James, who plays the flippant but endearing Cecil Haversham, conveyed a dynamic and enthusiastic performance. James's passionate delivery of an over-the-top attention-seeking actor enhanced the delightfully chaotic performance. Cecil's exaggerated, childlike expressions were consistently maintained throughout the performance, and the role's physically demanding slapstick movements and comedic actions were executed with remarkable ease, seamlessly adding to the character's charm and humour. Alongside Cecil, Charlie Nowak Bella delivered an incredible performance as Florence Colleymoore, the melodramatic and demanding widow of Charles Haversham (Vinny McMillan), the unfortunate murder victim of Haversham Manor. Nowak Bella embodied Florence's poise and elegance by capturing her exaggerated posh accent and aristocratic flair. Each ensemble member personified their character's quirks, from Chris's edgy demeanor to Annie's quiet yet unexpectedly competitive nature; the acting showcased remarkable talent. Article content Article content Article content The Cornley Drama Society Stage Crew wholeheartedly embraced the chaos within the play through their steadfast commitment to the humour and spontaneity of the mishaps, which contributed to the layers of comedy and elevated the absurdity of the performance. Article content Every action was impeccably performed, spotlighting the blunders that added fuel to the chaos and frenzy of the play. As the performance continued, a marvellous but accident-prone set, designed by The Nearly Nailed It set team, went down in shambles as the cast performed. The paintings, props, and decor were meticulously designed to collapse at the precise moment, enhancing the show's impeccable comedic timing. The manor also perfectly reflected the sophistication of the 1920s, with intricately crafted features of the crest above the main door entrance and antique wallpaper on the walls. The revolving bookcase was discreetly hidden, and the portable grandfather clock was impressively robust, especially as it held the unconscious Florence Colleymoore. Article content Article content St. Mother Teresa High School delivered a riotously entertaining production of The Play That Goes Wrong (High School Edition), proving that humour can indeed thrive in the realm of absurdity! Article content The St. Mother Teresa High School production was reviewed by 33 critics representing 8 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Natalie Simard of Merivale High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Rebeca Ricardo of St. Francis Xavier High School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers. Article content The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada's Capital Cappies on Instagram @OttawaCappies. Article content
Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Comedy About Spies: This level of stupidity takes real talent
Much as we can say we hanker after chewy state of the nation dramas, sometimes froth can be no less an imperative. Mischief Theatre have taken shrewd stock of the state of the nation and decided we need cheering up. The troupe – probably the most successful UK comedy outfit since the Pythons – struck gold with their send-up of bumbling am-dram The Play That Goes Wrong (2012), which shows no sign of relinquishing its perch at the Duchess (and has enjoyed multiple international iterations). Far from resting on their laurels, the talented gaggle have capitalised on their calling-card hit to the formulaic hilt. There have been glorious '…Goes Wrong' sequels (Peter Pan, Magic, A Christmas Carol). Their latest West End venture follows more in the footsteps of the screwball The Comedy About a Bank Robbery (2016); it's a caper not a knowing car-crash. I sheepishly confessed in my review of the latter show at the Criterion that I had been the odd one out about The Play That Goes Wrong, even goadingly citing it as my worst play experience of 2014. In my defence, I got divorced that year and have (I hope) since recovered my sense of humour. But it's worth observing that if you don't have a penchant for running gags flogged to death, rampant mugging, cheap sight gags and corny word-play then you may not be the ideal audience here. That said, even the most averse spectator will likely marvel at the gag-a-line detail, comic timing and sheer physical bravura of this company of fools, led by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields (co-writers too), directed by Matt DiCarlo. Yes, this is a show – rewinding to the 1960s and every stereotype going about Cold War spying – with next to nothing to tell us. But in that abstention from commentary, and delight in daftness, something is subliminally communicated about the persistence of old-fashioned British comedy; the show carries the flag, quite nobly, for innocent japes. Situated somewhere between Operation Mincemeat (though based on baloney, not actuality) and Fawlty Towers, the tirelessly farcical evening begins with MI6's headquarters being blown to smithereens following a blissfully idiotic sequence of door-slamming misunderstanding built around the agents' alphabetised code-names. The action switches to a hotel lobby then a cross-section of four bedrooms, with two Russians and two US operatives converging in search of a turncoat British agent. In the midst of this invitation to bungle – involving covert bugged radios, overt communication failures and frantic excuses – stand the sweetly hapless figure of Shields's Bernard Wright, a baker, vainly trying to propose to his girlfriend (Adele James's Rosemary) and Lewis's Douglas Woodbead, a loudly roaring failed actor, preparing to audition for James Bond. No less cherishable are Charlie Russell and Chris Leask as the only too conspicuous Russkies, while Dave Hearn and Nancy Zamit impress as the clueless (and, ludicrously, related) Yanks. In a knowingly wearying second half, the plot thickens with spiralling double-crossing guaranteed to have everyone, not just the tourists, struggling to keep up. I'd say it takes near genius to fashion something this incorrigibly goofy.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Studio Tenn marks 15 years as Williamson County's theater anchor, announces new season
Since its creation in 2010, Studio Tenn has rapidly grown to become a staple in Middle Tennessee theater. After moving and performing at a variety of venues, the company received a permanent location at The Factory at Franklin's Turner Theater in 2023. 'Fifteen years ago, Studio Tenn was just a dream fueled by a simple belief that Middle Tennessee deserved world-class theaters," said Artistic Director Patrick Cassidy. The company drew some of the area's most talented artists at its April 5 One Night Only fundraising gala, including Tony and Grammy award-winning actress and singer Jessie Mueller. 'I grew up doing regional theater so to be a part of an event like this is truly full circle,' Mueller said. 'Local theater companies are so important and as we saw after COVID, people not only need but want spaces like this.' Studio Tenn operates as an important pillar of the theater community with the company being the only existing one in Williamson County. Currently, there are less than 20 theater companies in the Middle Tennessee area that range from Shakespeare to children's theater. Ensuring that theater can be provided to the Williamson community at an affordable rate has been an important part of the company. 'If it were not for donors, the average ticket price for front row seats would be $245. The back row would be just under a hundred dollars,' said board member and Development Chair Lynne McAlister. "That's only possible because of our amazing sponsors and donations from our theater lovers." The record-braking attendance numbers from this season only further proved the importance of the studio. Their Christmas musical, "Million Dollar Quartet Christmas" was the company's highest grossing musical of all time. Additionally, their rendition of "The Play That Goes Wrong" was the highest grossing play of all time. 'The next 15 years will be challenging,' Morgan said. 'It will be about growing, pushing boundaries, and highlighting diversity. It will be about sharpening our vision to make sure that we remain relevant in the landscape of regional theater while remaining a cultural cornerstone right here in the middle of Tennessee.' At the close of the event, Studio Tenn released the musicals and plays the audience will see in its upcoming 2025 – 2026 season. Those are: Dracula White Christmas Death Trap Boeing Boeing Jesus Christ Superstar 'Tonight, we celebrated not just performances, but perseverance. We celebrated the unwavering love of a community that allowed us to tell powerful stories,' Morgan said. 'But, this is just the beginning. We couldn't do this without your support, passion, and your belief in the power of live theater." Studio Tenn's last show of the 2025 season, "Jersey Boys," is running in Turner Theater from May 1 to 18, with the first show already being sold out. Season tickets for the upcoming season are currently on sale to previous season ticket holders. They go on sale to the general public on April 22. Additional ticket information can be found via or by calling (615) 541-8200. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Studio Tenn marks 15 years of Williamson County theater, new season
CBS News
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
"The Play That Goes Wrong" is nonstop laughs as chaos unfolds onstage in Massachusetts
It's a disastrous night at the theater but that's a good thing at "The Play That Goes Wrong," which is now playing in Stoneham, Massachusetts. During "The Play That Goes Wrong," the cast deals with everyone onstage mishap imaginable. The production at Stoneham's Greater Boston Stage Company is a play within a play, where the actors portray actors. "What I think is surprising for a lot of people is that what they're seeing is actually just an exaggerated version of what happens in theaters every single day," said cast member Mark Linehan. From the set coming apart to an unconscious leading lady, just about everything that could go wrong, does. "It is really a masterwork of physical comedy and comic timing," said cast member Ceit Zweil. "And it's the kind of comedy that isn't done quite as much anymore." "It is a deeply challenging show technically but when you fill your cast with stunning comedic actors and your design team with people who are just so prepared to take on that challenge? It is just pure joy," said director Tyler Rosati. But it's far from easy to perform. "I don't think I've ever had to have this much strength training in order to do a show, in which I am having a nonsensical phone call, while completely supporting my body weight from falling off the set, using only my 10 fingertips," said Linehan. "So this is pretty new for me." The set is designed to come apart a little at a time, with secrets hiding in plain sight. "I wanted something that looked beautiful to start, I wanted an audience to walk in and be like, 'I am going to see a stunningly gorgeous Agatha Christie murder mystery' and then we are going to slowly but surely dismantle this gorgeous set into a pile of nothing before your very eyes," said Rosati. And Linehan said the audience should expect the unexpected. "This show is nonstop laughs," said Linehan. "And the only time that you're not going to be laughing is when you're going to be gasping because you can't believe what just happened." It's the crew you don't see that makes it all happen. "Backstage choreography is one of the great joys of theater," said Zweil. "I sort of sometimes wish the audience could see all the amazing stuff happening backstage because it is delightful to experience." Rosati agreed, saying, "For anyone who has done theater knows that stage managers and your team backstage are some of the hardest working people in the business. This show takes so long to set back up because there are so many pieces." "The set falls on us but they make the set fall safely," said Linehan. "So we couldn't do this without them." You can see "The Play That Goes Wrong" at the Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham through April 16.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Geva Theater reveals line-up for 2025/26 season
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Geva Theater revealed the lineup for the upcoming 2025/2026 season! The theme of this next season is 'Come Home to Geva!' which features family dramas, comedies, mysteries, a musical, and more. The One Geva subscription series has expanded to five shows in the Wilson and two in the Fielding. Below is a list of the upcoming shows for the season: Always…Patsy Cline: (Musical): July 15 – August 3, 2025, at the Wilson Stage The Play That Goes Wrong (Comedy): September 9 – October 12, 2025, at the Wilson Stage Sancocho (Comedy-Drama): October 14 – November 23, 2025, at the Fielding Stage A Christmas Carol (Drama): November 27 – December 28, 2025, at the Wilson Stage Susan Hill's The Woman in Black (Drama): January 14 – February 8, 2026, at the Wilson Stage Barefoot in the Park (Romantic-Comedy): February 24 – March 29, 2026, at the Wilson Stage Furlough's Paradise (Drama): April 14 – May 10, 2026, at the Wilson Stage Baron Vaughn: Cycle Breaker (Comedy solo show): April 28 – June 7, 2026, at the Fielding Stage Anastasia: The Musical: May 27 – June 28, 202,6 at the Wilson Stage Geva Theatre will also continue to offer the ROC Geva Pass, a partnership with the city to provide 200 tickets to city residents in specific zip codes. More information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
