Mishaps, misunderstandings propel Fox Valley Rep's 'Unnecessary Farce'
“People running in and out of rooms taking off their clothes hardly passes for plot,” observes a character in “Unnecessary Farce,” summing up in its entirety the frothy, far-fetched comedy currently running at Fox Valley Repertory.
Don't strain yourself contemplating this 2006 comedy by Chicago actor-turned-writer Paul Slade Smith too deeply. This middling comedy — with its standard-issue mishaps, misunderstandings and mistaken identities — doesn't really stand up to scrutiny. Then again it's not supposed to. Slamming doors and characters caught in compromising positions usually suffice. And they would in this case, if director Ronan Marra's briskly paced production was accompanied by better-honed performances, some of which felt a bit tentative opening night. There's no room for hesitation in farce, which must be fleet to succeed.
That said, members of Marra's spunky cast throw themselves into roles that require they strip down to their skivvies, which, of course, is de rigueur for a (literal) bedroom comedy rooted in sexual shenanigans and innuendo that — for the record — had the opening night audience howling with laughter.
The action unfolds in adjoining Tiffany blue, mirror-image motel rooms designed by Ian Zywica. One is occupied by a pair of neophyte police officers: Eric, played by lanky Joseph Galizia, and the overly eager Billie, a female version of “The Andy Griffith Show's” Barney Fife, played by the petite Vered Hankin.
The partners are on an undercover assignment, the first for Eric who's spent his career riding a desk. As for Billie, her claustrophobia and fear of firearms make her singularly ill-suited for this assignment. She does, however, have a knack for deciphering unintelligible accents, which comes in handy.
Eric and Billie have been assigned surveillance in a sting operation targeting the town's mayor, a mild-mannered milquetoast played by Jim Heatherly, who's suspected of embezzling $16 million in public funds. To that end, they've set up a hidden camera in the adjacent room where whistle-blowing accountant Karen (nice work by Lorelei Sturm) has arranged a meeting with the mayor to get him to admit to his misconduct.
Complicating matters is the budding relationship between Eric and Karen, whose interrupted amorous interludes frequently leave one or both in a perpetual state of undress.
Another obstacle comes in the form of the mayor's straight-arrow bodyguard Agent Frank (a properly stoic Joe McCauley). He inexplicably winds up in bed with Karen and Eric, prompting assurances from the mayor that his administration respects constituents of all sexual orientations.
There's also a Scottish hitman named Todd (a delightfully goofy John Wehrman), who plays the bagpipes before dispatching his victims or, as one character observes, “until you're ready to kill yourself.”
There are several madcap moments, most them involving compromising sexual situations. And there's a Mexican standoff late in the play, where characters clamber over a bed, that is a real hoot.
Still, with some of the performances in need of sharpening, the production lacks the quick response and manic energy that farce demands. Let's hope that comes as the run continues, making “Unnecessary Farce” necessary viewing.
“Unnecessary Farce”
<span class="stars">★ ★ </span><span class="stars">½</span>
<b>Location: </b>Fox Valley Repertory, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., Charles, (630) 584-6342 or <a href="http://foxvalleyrep.org">foxvalleyrep.org</a>
<b>Showtimes: </b>8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; through May 24. Also 2 p.m. April 16 and 23, May 7 and 21
<b>Tickets: </b>$32, $42
<b>Running time: </b>About two hours, with intermission
<b>Parking:</b> Adjacent parking lot
<b>Rating: </b>For adults; includes mature themes and sexual situations