Popcorn
by
Michael Dresdner
L to R: Dale Bowers, Cassie Jo Fastabend Photos by Dennis K Photography
Silly.
Thoroughly silly. That’s the most succinct way to describe the bit of fluff
called The Underpants that opened Tacoma Little Theatre’s 98th
season last night.
Written
by Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin) and directed by Jennifer York, it’s a
situational comedy deeply larded with set ups and punch lines, double entendre,
and sexual innuendo. Yet in spite of the fact that sex, lust, and adultery are
the central theme, it’s actually clean enough for a G rating. Though bad
intentions and willing partners abound, no one actually manages to bed anyone.
Set in 1910 Germany (for no apparent reason) the entire play takes place in the living room/kitchen of an apartment and is executed by a handful of very competent actors. And speaking of the set, it is outstanding; another spot on job by Blake York, replete with and adorable period stove, refrigerator, and eye catching stenciled “wallpaper.” Ditto for costumes by Michele Graves, props (and I assume the wonderful set dressing) by Jeffrey Weaver, and lighting by Niclas R. Olson. In short, everything well up to TLT’s high standards.
L to R: Ben Stahl, Cassie Jo Fastabend, Deya Ozburn
The play
opens with Theo Maske (Jed Slaughter), a rigid, mysoginistic, mid-level bureaucratic
drone, berating his “little wife” Louise (Cassie Jo Fastabend) because while
watching a parade on the street, her underpants fell down. He’s sure people
noticed and that ruination will follow. This being a comedy, the exact opposite
happens, but that’s later.
They
want to rent out an upstairs room for income, and accidently do so to two
people, both of whom want to be there because of the morning’s underpants
incident. Frank Versati (Ben Stahl) is an almost accent free Italian poet whose
instant lust for Louise has him torn between wanting to consummate adultery or
simply write poetry about it. His barber, Benjamin Cohen (Andrew Fry), who
repeatedly insists he’s not a Jew, is also smitten, but his goal is to block
Versati’s intentions. Meanwhile, Gertrude Deuter (Deya Ozburn), Louise’s best
friend who lives upstairs and eavesdrops via the floor vent, comes and goes
regularly, attempting to both push Louise into what she sees as a much needed
fling, and get one for herself with husband Theo. Eventually a Scot named
Klinglehoff (Dale Bowers) and “The Distinguished Caller” (Bob Lozier) make
appearances, but their roles are superficial at best.
L to R: Deya Ozburn, Jed Slaughter
It’s not
hard to imagine this played to the absurd, with exaggerated accents and
physical histrionics, but this version has been dialed back to retain a modicum
of decorum. Depending on your comedic tastes, that could be welcome or
disappointing.
If you
are getting the impression that this is a long, elaborate, TV comedy sketch
reminiscent of its SNL roots, you’re spot on. And yes, it is genuinely funny,
fast paced, and quite pleasant to watch, with the added advantage that there
are no commercial interruptions. Admittedly, you may see some of the jokes
coming from a good bit off, but that’s ok.
In any
case, don’t look for deep meaning or emotional upheaval. This is mindless
entertainment, and may be just the thing to ease back into the theatre season.
Did I
mention that this play was silly? Thoroughly silly.
The
Underpants
Sept. 16
to Oct. 2, 2016
Tacoma
Little Theatre
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