Leading with Laughter

As steadily sensible Jack Gable (Steve Velardi) turns toward his friend, partner and compatriot, Leo Clark (Jere Williams), it becomes difficult to separate the tempestuous twosome from another plotting pair – Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis of “Some Like it Hot.”

Love in disguise has always been a prominent force in literature. No matter the outward appearance – and in many cases, sexual preference – of its victims, it consistently serves to circumvent their intention in favor of its own, chaotic plans.

Taking a tip from “Some Like it Hot” and “Twelfth Night,” “Leading Ladies” was written by Ken Ludwig and premiered in 2004, though it did not grace any of New York’s many stages until March 5, when it finally swept the Brooklyn theatre of the Heights Players.

The tale focuses on two out-of-work (and cast, and audience) Shakespearean actors who – while steadily running out of finances – happen upon an article about a dying millionaire seeking her two long-lost relations: Max and Steve – except, as they learn from a delightfully ditzy waitress (Aubrey Antonsen), the aforementioned nephews are in fact nieces, Maxine and Stephanie. Not a problem, the dynamic dramatist assures his fretting interlocutor: They’re actors. They’ll act as though they’re the nieces and accept the inheritance. After all, the old lady (Sheila MacDougall) is dead, isn’t she? موقع المراهنات العالمي

As they arrive at Florence Snider’s Pennsylvania estate, however, they learn that their gate toward riches is very much alive and eager to reacquaint herself with the young girls of yesteryear, who she has not seen in many years.

Sharing the inheritance is Meg (Sarah Garza), a sweet and charming young woman engaged to the town’s minister, the very old-fashioned Reverend Duncan Wooley (Raymond O. Wagner). Greeting them as well are Doc Myers (Michael Janove), his son Butch (Cody Wilson) and Butch’s lovely girlfriend, Audrey – the aforementioned roller-skating waitress.

As the play predictably progresses, Leo and Jack’s plans become considerably nobler and their attachment toward their intended victims grows.

Although the events within “Leading Ladies” are certainly foreseen (and the second act is significantly stronger than the first), it still retains a delightful charm that must be witnessed. Borrowing heavily from 50s comedies, it caters more to the older crowd, but can realistically be as enjoyable to a youngster.

After all, it contains many classic elements of comedy that will not disappear anytime soon – satire, farce, slapstick – and at certain moments it employs a comedy-of-errors technique. تعلم لعب البوكر

The performances were commendable, as well. Velardi seemingly channeled the sympathetic ardor of Jack Lemmon in his sensitive portrayal of the unwittingly scheming English thespian, though possessed a sweet charm as the mute Stephanie. Williams – at times over-the-top – nevertheless maintained a remarkable energy and vitality as the perpetrator of the ploy, appearing at times relentlessly (and somewhat naively) cunning; and as a legitimately enamored at others.

A positively remarkable show of theatrical prowess came from Garza, who seemed to generate charm with the rapid pace of the play’s one-liners. موقع لربح المال Wielding a gorgeous, mega-watt smile and a natural grace, the Heights’ leading lady carried just enough vivacity to truly embody the kind of woman with whom a skeptic like Leo could actually fall in love.

The stage talents were hardly reserved to those three, however, as each respective cast member fulfilled their required role admirably – from the headstrong and spunky MacDougall, to the absolutely adorable Antonsen, to the regal Wagner, the boisterously caustic Janove and the stubbornly innocent Wilson.

As the play neared its completion, it fell into a kind of rhythm that almost defied silence, as the seamless direction of Healy and the perfectly poised talents of its players all seemed to synchronize on a certain pivotally hilarious scene, drawing the kind of generous guffaws that serve to lighten the mood for hours and challenge respiration. If only for that, “Leading Ladies” is more than worth a couple of hours and a ticket.

Photo by Jan VanderPutten