Playwright Norm Foster’s comedy “Bedtime Stories” totally rocks! So does Lakeside Little Theatre, due to the frequent explosions of hysterical laughter engendered by this exceptional show, already way beyond performance-ready by last Friday’s opening night.
As previously reported, with rights unavailable for the planned show already in production, “Bedtime Stories” was put together in just over three weeks – but no-one watching could possibly guess it.
In Foster’s inimitable style, his 2006 script is littered with clever one-liners. The six neatly linked vignettes that comprise the production occur during a two-hour time frame on the night of Tommy Quick’s pop concert.
Play selection, casting, rehearsals, set-construction, props and costumes usually demand months of organization but director Roseann Wilshere, a consummate professional, rose to the challenge. The vignette format facilitated the delegation of two scenes to Assistant Director Arleen Pace, so rehearsals could proceed simultaneously. The dedicated cast and crew worked horrendous hours to somehow pull it off in time, and magnificently!
Scene one opens to an elaborate hotel bedroom where retro hippie, Eddie “Nighthawk” Nichols (Ed Tasca), a radio broadcaster anxious to make it into the big time, is awaiting Lou (Douglas Pinkerton) and Betsy (Kathleen Morris). They have agreed to take part in Eddie’s saucy radio broadcast in return for 5,000 dollars.
Tasca plays his role to perfection, alternating between pushy producer and sensitive listener, bewildered by this loving couple. He, Pinkerton and Morris are all excruciatingly funny, delivering some brilliant lines. Lou: “I do foreplay.” Betsy: “No you don’t.” Lou: “Well maybe you haven’t noticed.” With multiple sight gags – Lou’s tiger slippers being an audience favorite, this scene sets the tone for the whole show.
Derek (Ken Yakiwchuk) is in bed with an intravenous drip in his arm in scene two. Hearing that he’s seriously ill, former school friend Susan (Collette Clavadetscher) comes to visit. The plot unfolds as Yakiwchuk and Clavadetscher very skillfully portray their characters with just the right amount of tension and humor. Yakiwchuck’s very convincing performance of the bedridden dying man leaves Clavadetscher with all the movement on stage, which she adeptly utilizes to reinforce Susan’s gamut of emotions.
Nick (Michael Warren) and Davey’s (James Leonard) efforts to rob a house turn scene three into an hysterical romp. Without giving too much away, they are two of the worst burglars ever. Superbly well cast, the pair keeps the audience in stitches and their antics close the first act on a high note.
Scene four finds Tommy Quick (James Leonard), a faded pop-idol, opening the door of his luxury suite to discover Melody (Tina Leonard) a teenage groupie who demands entry. The subsequent plot line and interaction between the pair is thought-provoking, funny and well drawn, especially Melody’s reaction to the radio.
The audience howled with laughter throughout scene five. Club-owner Charlie (Ken Yakiwchuk) has invited stripper Sandy (Kathleen Morris) to his apartment. More would spoil the plot. Suffice it to say that Morris’ performance deserves a Tony and is utterly hilarious while, the perfect foil, Yakiwchuk’s reactions and facial expressions are priceless.
Scene six. Laura (Collette Clavadetscher) is moving. Removal men Steve (Michael Warren) and Jerry (Chet Beeswanger) are making an amusingly half-hearted attempt at their job when Laura’s husband, broadcaster Eddie (Ed Tasca), arrives by taxi. Judy Long excels as the loud, brash and forgetful driver, Yolanda. She, Warren and Beeswanger keep the comedy coming as Clavadetscher and Tasca discuss the future. Jayme Littlejohn’s versatile skills are crucial to her role as the Stranger, as she delivers a last minute twist.
The smiling, enthralled faces in the audience confirm this is one of LLT’s funniest shows for years. Great kudos is due to Wilshere and all involved, not only for achieving the impossible but for setting a very high bar for the season.
Stage Manager Diane Jones, Assistant Stage Manager Karen Moebs and Producer Richard Roche. Set: Designers – Dana Douin and Florette Schnelle. Construction – Richard Bansbach, Jon Kollin, Richard Thompson, David Bryen and Bryan Selesky. Painters – Roberta Hilleman and Dana Douin. Speciality Props: Dave Hutchinson, Props: Joan Warren. Sound: Halle Shepherd, Karen Lee and J.E. Jack. Lighting: Pierre Huot and Audrey Zikmund. Makeup: Maryann Gibbard and Sandy Topazio. Wardrobe: Wendy and Lorne Hamblin.