It’s all
geek to me
by
Michael Dresdner
The Nerd
is one of the funniest plays ever written. It’s frequently performed by local
theatre groups, but rarely this well. Centerstage has put together a terrific
director and an absolutely superb cast. It is laugh out loud funny, fast paced,
and totally delightful, but there’s only one week left to see it.
The play
was written by Larry Shue and is directed by John Dillon, who directed the
first production of it. According to the program notes, he also helped convince
Shue to write this tale of a nerd who comes to visit and comically upends
several peoples’ lives.
Willum
Cubbert, a dejected architect, is unhappy with his current job and about to
lose his girlfriend, Tansy McGinnis, who wants to move east for a job as a TV
weathergirl. His friend and neighbor, Axel Hammond, wants to prod Willum out of
his rut, apparently by constantly peppering their three-way conversations with
barbs of hilarious, snarky sarcasm.
Years
before, Willum was wounded in Vietnam and his life was saved by one Rick
Steadman, who disappeared before Willum awoke in the hospital. A grateful Willum
wrote to the elusive hero telling him he’d do anything for him at any time. When Rick eventually shows up, he turns out to
be a loud, hilariously annoying, clueless doofus. Homeless, Rick moves in, and
in short order his antics drive everyone to distraction, ultimately causing
Willum to do something rash and life-changing.
 |
| L to R: David Gehrman, Brandon Brown (in bag) |
The play
needs the perfect actor to play the nerd, and David Gehrman is it. With pants
pulled up to his chest, a pocket protector in his shirt, and glasses repaired
with adhesive tape over the bridge, his rubber-faced expressions, loud braying
voice, gawky posturing, and absurdly illogical actions were both hilarious and
cringe-worthy. He makes the audience roar while making life hell for the
grateful but hapless Willum (Brandon Brown) and the sweet, patient Tansy (Jenny
Vaughn Hall). Adding spice to the mix is Axel, played with delicious acidity by
Chip Wood, who comes off like a youngish Tony Randall blessed with the wickedly
well-timed humor of Paul Lynde.
Then
there’s David Natale as Warnock Waldgrave, Willum’s boorish, bombastic
hotel-building client, and his obnoxious son Thor (Shane Collins). Dealing with
both, largely by breaking dishes, is his angst-ridden wife, Clelia, played by
Elinor Gunn, who with her very first line made us laugh out loud and love her
at the same time.
The set,
by Michael Ward, was spacious and spot on, as were the props by Trista Duval.
Outstanding period and
character-defining costumes by Rachel Wilke were wonderful. Added support came
from lighting designer Amy Silveria and sound, including lovely between-set
songs, from Johanna Melamed.
By the
way, be sure to read the director’s notes in the playbill. They are very
illuminating.
As I
said, there’s not much time left to see this production of The Nerd at
Centerstage, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a smoother, funnier iteration
of this gem anywhere.
The Nerd
Jan. 24
through Feb. 9, 2014
Centerstage
http://www.centerstagetheatre.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment