BBC | The Sleepless Critic

REVIEW: Greater Boston Stage Company’s zany ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ has the right idea

Posted on April 8, 2025 by The Sleepless Critic

‘Come rain, come sleet, the show must go on!’

Singin’ in the Rain’s Donald O’Connor as Cosmo uttered this classic line from the beloved 1952 film which has been inspiring theatres for generations. Greater Boston Stage Company’s The Play that Goes Wrong shows that rain and sleet are just a tip of the iceberg in a laundry list of all that can go wrong and you’ll be sure to delight in witnessing many of them here.

No matter what, the show must go on.

Buckle up for a bumpy ride courtesy of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they deliver an unconventional whodunit production that has Paul Melendy as an inspector engraving crime scene notes into a flower pot not to mention a dog missing somewhere on the premises! If this all seems preposterous, that is just a glimpse into the inspired laughs at Haversham Manor in The Play That Goes Wrong.

The cast of Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo by Maggie Hall Photography

Methodically directed by Tyler Rosati, Greater Boston Stage Company continues The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields continuing at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts through Saturday, April 19. This semi-interactive production is not limited to the stage and runs approximately two hours with one intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.

The Play That Goes Wrong is a British farce that first hit the London Stage in 2012 before it went on to make its way around the globe. This award-winning whodunit play-within-a-play became so popular that it bore BBC’s The Goes Wrong Show lasting two seasons including holiday specials.

Sarah Gazdowicz, Liam Grimaldi and Paul Melendy in Greater Boston Stage Company's 'The Play that Goes Wrong' Photo by Maggie Hall Photography — Liam Grimaldi and Paul Melendy in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo by Maggie Hall Photography

After some interactive, pre-show comedic antics by Ceit Zweil as resolute stagehand Annie, Paul Melendy as Cornley’s warm yet befuddled director Chris sets the stage for what this enthusiastic and determined acting troupe has in store for its audience. What makes The Play That Goes Wrong particularly entertaining is just how well timed the cast must collaboratively be in order to make this type of auspicious theater.

Ceit Zweil and Sarah Morin in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo by Maggie Hall Photography

From an unpredictable corpse portrayed stealthily by Stewart Evan Smith to the various degrees of hysterics demonstrated by Sarah Gazdowicz and Ceit Zweli as well as various cast members’ feigned composure under fire, The Play That Goes Wrong runs the gamut from missed cues to an utterly sinking ship. Zweli as stagehand Annie and Jeff Mahoney as baffled yet undeterred Duran Duran fan sound man Trevor are wonderful as they take the heat at times for guffaws from subtle to catastrophic in a perplexed malaise.

Mark Linehan, Ceit Zweil and Paul Melendy in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo by Maggie Hall Photography

With a sophisticated air adorned in an elegant and cascading dress, Gazdowicz as Sandra flails and flaunts with poise and urgency determined to portray Florence. She shares some frivolous moments with Liam Grimaldi who is occasionally overexaggerated as bad actor Max. Sarah Morin as Denise demonstrates propriety and shrewdness in her deadpan delivery of occasionally tongue tied Butler Perkins while Mark Linehan delivers wit and gravitas as Robert who contributes to the clever sight gags and a wealth of hilarious improvising.

Costume designer E. Rosser captures the madcap essence of the British, upper crust atmosphere from various patterns and mismatched plaids to dapper three piece suits including a signature Inspector trench coat while Peter Colao and Danielle Ibrahim’s innovative and extraordinary set design brings in as many laughs as the cast’s humorous antics. Accompanied by James Cannon’s cryptic and humorously misguided sound design and Katie Whittemore’s standout and suspenseful lighting, Haversham Manor’s elegant bookcase, classic wooden grandfather clock, brick fireplace, a functioning elevator, velvet sofa and second floor study all seem to have a life of their own in this delightful show.

Ceit Zweil, Sarah Gazdowicz, Paul Melendy and Mark Linehan in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo by Maggie Hall Photography

Though a few of the running gags can go on a bit too long, The Play that Goes Wrong is a fun way to let loose and enjoy a lighthearted production where flustered cheeks become the norm and to find out just how far this entertaining group will go to for an uproarious good time.

Paul Melendy and Mark Linehan in Greater Boston Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo by Maggie Hall Photography

Greater Boston Stage Company presents The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields continuing through April 19 at Greater Boston Stage Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and tickets.

REVIEW: The Company Theatre’s ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ less mystery and more refined humor

Posted on March 29, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

How far would you go to get ahead in the world as well as get the object of your desire?

Co-directed drolly by Zoe Bradford and Sally Ashton Forrest with jolly musical direction by Robert McDonough, The Company Theatre takes a satirical look at the haves, the have nots, and the ones desperate to rise above their station in Robert L. Freedman’s musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder continuing live and in person at the Company Theatre in Norwell, MA through Saturday, March 30. This zany production is a lengthy 2 hours and 20 minutes including one intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Ryan Barrow’s partially projected set with Dean Palmer Jr. is quite literally a vintage gold and marble stage within a stage boasting some elaborate backdrops with a portion of it used to set up some dark comedy including a towering chapel, royal mail, a floral garden adorned with English lavender, a positively pink aristocratic parlor, an aesthetically animated snow-covered ski resort and a dour grave site. Ostentatious and detailed rich velvet dresses, top hats, corsets, high boots, and lacy frills are just part of what Joe Michienzie costumes with specialty costume pieces by Kathryn Ridder use to authenticate the propriety of Edwardian England.

A grave event in ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ Photo by Zoe Bradford

The show opens with a juicy Warning to the Audience of more elaborate treachery and danger than the actual musical delivers. Leaning far more on humor and murder and less on mystery, what starts as a surprising discovery becomes a plot so thick and absurd that even a gentleman can not quite believe it. Down on his luck Monty suddenly discovers he just might be eighth in line in the revered D’Ysquith (emphasis on the DIE with a rat a tat ring to each family name) family to become the Earl of Highhurst Castle shortly after his mother’s death. Bonnie Gardner as kindly and direct Miss Shingle is the bearer of this questionably reliable news in You’re a D’Ysquith. Becoming an Earl would mean a massive fortune and a sterling reputation. How does a gentleman consider murder to win the object of his desires and become an Earl?

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder has a lively and engaging cast especially during a bit of humorous shuffling at Highhurst Castle and a comically grim scene for Why are all the D’Ysquiths Dying? This brand of refined humor right out of the BBC is tailor made for Anglophiles and though it is about love and murder, its satirical tone makes for a gallivant into the misdeeds of one Monty Navarro, depicted with a polished air and a hint of desperation by Justin Maloney. Maloney as Monty is a proper chap and is part narrator as he guides us through this fiendish journey, but he is more matter of fact than dangerous and it would benefit him to exhibit at least some hidden dastardly tendencies. Perhaps this is part of the absurdity of it all. Monty’s character is exemplified in a championing rendition of The Last One You’d Expect.

Justin Maloney and Dru Daniels Photo by Zoe Bradford

Dru Daniels, who dazzled as Lily in Company Theatre’s The Secret Garden, lends her wonderful vocals to depict Sibella Halliward, a status-hungry gold digger and the object of Monty’s desire. Prim and proper surrounded by extravagance, Sibella is a woman who knows what she wants but otherwise her feelings for Monty seem genuine. The numbers I’ve Decided to Marry You and That Horrible Woman alongside Stephanie Mann as Cousin Phoebe D’Ysquith boasts clever staging and one of the most exciting parts of the production.

Jason Denton meets the challenge of depicting a number of short lived characters where some work better than others, but the two characters that stood out was a buck toothed, architecture-obsessed Reverend Lord Ezekiel D’ Ysquith, and thick mustached fox hunter called Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith. With lively and dusty portraits in the background, Denton’s I Don’t Understand the Poor is heightened by Denton’s humorous delivery and madcap charm. Also Denton as Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith and Alyssa Norton as his Lady Eugenie’s passive aggressive banter is comic gold.

Alyssa Norton and Jason Denton Photo by Zoe Bradford

REVIEW: Lyric Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ madcap and hilarious

Posted on December 14, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

Buckle up for a bumpy ride courtesy of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they deliver an unconventional whodunit production that has an inspector engraving notes on a crime scene into a flower pot and not to mention that mysterious, mangled, and empty dog cage! If this all seems preposterous, that is just a glimpse into the hilarity that ensues at Haversham Manor in The Play That Goes Wrong.

Directed fervently and methodically by Fred Sullivan Jr., The Lyric Stage Company presents The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields continuing through December 18. This semi-interactive show that is not just limited to the stage space is approximately two hours with one intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.

Dan Whelton and Michael Liebhauser in Lyric Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo credit to Mark S Howard/Lyric Stage Company

The Play That Goes Wrong is a British farce that first hit the London Stage in 2012 before it went on to make its way around the world. This award-winning whodunit play within a play became so popular, it bore BBC’s The Goes Wrong Show that just completed its second season last year.

After some interactive, pre-show comedic antics by Alexa Cadete as resolute stagehand Annie, Michael Liebhauser’s warm and dry sense of humor as Director Chris sets the stage for what this enthusiastic and determined acting troupe has in store for its audience. What makes The Play That Goes Wrong particularly entertaining is just how well timed the cast must collaboratively be in order to make such auspicious theater.

Kelby T Akin, Nora Eschenheimer, Marc Pierre, and Dan Garcia in Lyric Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo credit to Mark S Howard/Lyric Stage Company

From an unpredictable corpse portrayed with misguided panache by Dan Garcia to the various degrees of hysterics demonstrated by Cadete and Nora Eschenheimer as well as various cast members’ feigned composure under fire, The Play That Goes Wrong is a brilliant must see. Cadete as stagehand Annie and Mitch Kiliulis as baffled sound man Trevor are wonderful as they take the heat at times for guffaws from subtle to catastrophic in a perplexed malaise.

Wearing a dazzling smile adorned in an elegant and cascading dress, Eschenheimer as Sandra flails and flaunts with poise and pizzazz as she ardently attempts to portray Florence. She shares some frivolous moments and a gift for physical comedy with Marc Pierre as clever and sophisticated Max. Pierre’s melodramatic and smirking expressions make him a bit of a scene stealer while Dan Whelton demonstrates more propriety as Dennis depicts Butler Perkins. Whelton is sophisticated and shrewd if not for an occasional dialect stumble here and there, handled drolly as only a regal thespian can. Kelby T. Akin rounds out this cast delivering wit and gravitas as Robert contributes to the clever sight gags and a wealth of hilarious improvising takes on new meaning.

Kelby T. Akin and Marc Pierre in Lyric Stage Company’s ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ Photo credit Mark S Howard The Lyric Stage Company

Costume designer Gail Astrid Buckley captures the essence of the British, upper crust atmosphere from various plaids to dapper suits including a signature Inspector trench coat while Peter Colao’s innovative and extraordinary set design brings in as many laughs as the cast’s humorous antics. Accompanied by Dewey Dellay’s spot on sound design and John Milinowski’s standout and suspenseful lighting, Haversham Manor’s elegant bookcase, classic wooden grandfather clock, a roaring fireplace, a functioning elevator, velvet sofa and a second floor study all seem to have a life of their own in this delightful show.

It is hands down among the funniest performances the Sleepless Critic has seen all year. Not only is the multi-layered direction intricate and perceptive, but each cast member’s razor sharp comedic chops rise to the occasion at times quite literally! The Play that Goes Wrong is a great way to let loose and enjoy a lighthearted production where flustered cheeks become the norm and to find out just how far this masterful group will go to for an uproarious good time.

The Lyric Stage Company presents The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields continuing through December 18. This semi-interactive show that is not just limited to the stage space is approximately two hours with one intermission. Click here for more information and tickets.