For The Van Wert independent
When was the last time that you laughed so hard you had to grab a chair to keep from falling? Not a chuckle nor a snicker but a full-blown hee-haw that kinda’ took your breath away for a few seconds.
It just doesn’t happen as much as it used to, due to the state of the economy, but I’ve got a sure-fire prescription if you’re in the mood for high-quality-laughter and plenty of it.
Be sure to see the current Off Stage Production, "Who’s In Bed With The Butler?" playing now at the Council on Aging Senior Center on Fox Road. The cast will be waiting with laughs galore tonight at 8, plus April 18, 23 and 24 … four opportunities to treat yourself and friends to an evening of solid, old-fashioned fun and laughter.
Within the past week, the devoted cast of this play has worked diligently to erect a new stage, complete with doors, windows, columns, furniture, you-name-it, into a very believable living room of a recently deceased millionaire, Mr. William Olden.
The story comes to life when the sister of the deceased (Monica Campbell) and her legal advisor (Dan Bulau) arrive at the Olden Mansion to find out what’s holding up the dispensing of the bountiful treasures of Mr. Olden’s will … namely, art, antique automobiles and a multimillion-dollar yacht.
The plot thickens when three former mistresses of William Olden arrive at the mansion and immediately attempt to resume questionable connections with the Olden butler, Clifton, played by Ed Eichler. (I thought about writing a review on just Clifton, alone. He’s quite a doozie, folks; you’ll love him).
Each of the nine-member cast is an identical replica of the play’s character he/she portrays. A detective, sent to expose the suspected plot, spends more time on the floor, semi-conscious, than he does upright. Ralph Bowsher IV handles this role professionally, but I don’t know how he can possibly make it through four more performances.
The Olden maid, Agnes, is Van Wert’s Terri Stevens, and when she enters the stage, regardless of what’s happening at that moment, the audience bursts into laughter. She’s just that funny! And can you believe she has a pet rat named Oscar?
Staci Kaufman, Mary Yackey and Cat White are the three “hot-to-trot” mistresses in the play and their antics are “over-the-moon,” but at the same time absolutely believable. They are beautiful women … who know it!
Jan Miller is “Susie,” an attractive lady who just happens to show up at the mansion, in the middle of all the crazy, non-stop activity, and ends up tying up a lot of loose ends, including the answer to the play’s title, Who’s In Bed With The Butler? See! – each character is vitally important!
For those of you not familiar with Off Stage Productions Inc., it is a dinner theatre treat, with a terrific meal catered by Grant’s Catering and served before “curtain call” at 8 p.m. So arrive hungry and about an hour earlier than showtime.
David Lianez is director of this incredible play and he’s assisted by his wife, Jane, and Jerri Bacino. Everyone pitches in on props, set construction, costumes, light and sound, publicity, etc. Monica Campbell handles the photography and Doug Shell is master of the website.
I can’t overemphasize the pure joy that wafts throughout the Senior Center facility as this theatre group works together to make the night special for everyone – performers and patrons alike.
Just think about it, Folks, these performers and crew members devote weeks, perfecting a stage comedy for your and my entertainment. So spread the news and let’s fill every chair tonight, Saturday, Sunday and next Friday and Saturday evenings (April 23 and 24).
Let’s get behind them and let them know how much we appreciate all their efforts, skills and especially, the laughter they bestow on all moving creatures … even Oscar, the rat.
