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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

REVIEW: HILARIOUS “RUN FOR YOUR WIFE” @ THE BARN THEATRE

Reviewed March 16 by guest reviewer, Rick Busciglio
www.njfootlights.net

If you are like me and think Noises Off is one of the funniest comedies of all time, are you in for a major treat at the Barn Theatre in Montville. This award-winning community theater with a long history of producing plays the equal of many professional companies, including much of Off-Broadway, is currently presenting an absolutely hilarious production of the adult British farce Run For Your Wife, written by Ray Cooney and directed by Chris Mortenson.

RunForYourWife_BarnTheatreThe play, loaded with a heavy dose of political incorrectness (1980's gay stereotypes), was a huge success in London's West End, running from 1983 to 1991. It was less successful on Broadway and later as a film in 2012.

Director Mortenson is actually more of a ringmaster…demonstrating considerable skill in keeping the action, and the actors, moving at a fast clip in this wild adventure with almost non-stop laughter. The plot is relatively uncomplicated, but the clever, amusing way confusion is piled on confusion is a total joy.

​The excellent cast includes Lauren Klemp, Joe Wohlgemuth, Tom Morrisey, Ruth Morley, Dave McDonald, Chris Esmerado, Jonathan Rudolph and Craig Zimmermann.​​

John Smith (Tom Morrisey​)​ ​is a London taxi driver AND a bigamist. Smith is able to ​manage​ having two wives Mary​ ​(Ruth Morley) and Barbara (Lauren Klemp) ​due to his flexible work schedule and the cross-town distance he is able to keep between the two households.

​His ​"idyllic" arrangement is seriously challenged when he attempts to rescue an old lady from muggers. In the process of committing this heroic act, she knocks him unconscious with her handbag, thinking him an accomplice of the attackers.

This requires an overnight stay in a hospital ward. In the morning, both wives simultaneously call their local police stations to report the missing Taxi driver John Smith. Now the fun begins! The press want to publish his story with a front page picture, plus the police from both stations (Dave McDonald and Craig Zimmerman) arrive at both flats to "sort out" the confusion of a man with two addresses. Smith​ must rush back and forth between his two wives, trying to untangle the marital mess he has made.​

Run For Your Wife is pure fun. A nonstop roller coaster ride with marvelous performances from the "spot-on" Tom Morrisey ​ as the stressed-out Taxi driver​ John Smith. Morrisey is particularly hilarious in his resourcefulness in destroying the revealing newspaper photo. First wife: Mary Smith is beautifully played by Ruth Morley. Morley is in top form when she skips, screams and strips as her world is turned upside down. The Second wife: Barbara Smith is played by Lauren Klemp making an impressive Barn Theatre debut as Smith's ready-for-sex "Lady in Red"—red negligee, that is.

​Much of the humor comes from the inter play of Smith and his​ ​moronic upstairs neighbor, the unemployed Stanley Gardener ​Gardener​, who​ reluctantly aid​s in ​Smith's​ deception​ is ​Jonathan Rudolph. Rudolph​, ​coming off two notable performances at The Barn (God of Carnage and Lend Me A Tenor) nicely demonstrates his considerable comedic skills. ​​Craig Zimmerman impresses with his tailored, efficient, toothpick between-the-teeth, all business style as Detective Sergeant Troughton. The second policeman, Detective Sergeant Porterhouse is played by Dave McDonald who earns a goodly share of the laughs with his fun bit-of-a-bumbler performance. Joe Wohlgemuth is terrific in the role of Barbara Smith's new upstairs neighbor, the very gay, Bobby Franklin.​ Rounding out the cast is Christopher Esmerado as the highly intrusive newspaper photographer. This is Chris' first effort at The Barn.

Run For Your Wife may be a dated play (1980's),​​ but the mix-up comedy format works very well today in the hands of this talented cast and crew. You have until April 5 to see this laugh-a-minute production.

​The play is performed on one attractive interior living room set divided equally​ to represent the two Smith flats with design and construction by Lawrence Gabriel and crew, plus decor by Laura Kennedy and Joe Guadara. Other key credits: Jill Cappuccino props; Jeff Knapp sound design; Alexandra Kiely costume design; Jessica Phelan hair and makeup; Larry Wilbur lighting design; Omar Kozarsky lighting and sound operation; and Alice Regan-Moynahan stage manager.

The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ, just minutes off Route 287 (Exit 47). For more information or directions, call 973-334-9320 ext. 5, or visitwww.barntheatre.org

Performances will be on March 14, 21, 22, 28, 29 and April 4th and 5th 2014 at 8 PM; and on March 15, 16, 23 and 30th at 2 PM. Tickets are $18 (senior/student tickets are $16 on matinees only). ​