Theatre Three's production of the obscure Maurine Dallas Watkins play, So Help Me God!is a surefire evening of laughter and mayhem. Broadway bound in 1929, the play was derailed by the stock-market crash and has languished in obscurity ever since.
It is a classic backstage comedy about temperamental star Lily Darnley (Julie Johnson), her leading man Bart Henley (Bob Hess), and her ever-hopeful, naive understudy, Kerren Happuch-Lane (Nicole Webber). The cast is rehearsing a new play by young playwright George Herrick (Joel Frapart), who is constantly thwarted by Lily, who keeps changing the dialogue and the plot to suit her whims.
Into the mix add Lily's manager who is also the show's producer, Mose Jason (Don Alan Croll). He uses every trick in his arsenal to keep Lily from walking out in the middle of the show (or as Lily says: "When Lily Darnley leaves, it's the end of the show") and comically subservient maid, Eloise Orleans (Nadine Marissa Richard).
Director Bruce Richard Coleman has assembled a multi-talented cast. Johnson gives a hilariously frenetic performance, and Hess provides an even-tempered counterpoint to her fits of pique. As life imitates art, Weber is outstanding as the understudy with aspirations to be a star. Richard provides numerous laughs as the self-conscious stereotype of Lily's maid. Croll is perfect as the producer who will do anything to anybody to make sure the show goes on.
The play is chock full of insider theater references adding to the merriment.
Previews:
August 8, 2013
Ended:
September 1, 2013
Country:
USA
State:
Texas
City:
Dallas
Company/Producers:
Theatre Three
Theater Type:
Regional
Theater:
Theatre Three
Theater Address:
2800 Routh Street
Website:
theatre3dallas.com
Genre:
Comedy
Director:
Bruce Richard Coleman
Review:
Cast:
Jeffrey Colangelo, Don Alan Croll ,Gordon Fox, Joel Frapart, H. Francis Fuselier, Jessica Helton, Bob Hess, Julie Johnson, Jason Kane, Robert Neblett, Nadine Marissa Richard, Ian Patrick Stack, Lulu Ward, Nicole Weber, Skye the Dog
Technical:
Set: Jac Alder. Costumes: Bruce Richard Coleman. Lighting: Kenneth Farnsworth. Sound: Richard Frolich. Stage Mgr: Katie Marchant. Music Dir: Terry Dobson.
Critic:
Rita Faye Smith
Date Reviewed:
September 2013
