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The Mystery of Irma Vep by La Jolla Stage Company 
Werewolves. Vampires. Mummies. Ghosts. Mix all that with Shakespeare, Poe, Rebecca, Jane Eyre, The Twilight Zone, and Gone With the Wind, and you have one crazy, hilarious brew that spoofs just about everything, and spoofs it well!
All of the characters are played by the two talented actors Brian P. Evans and Ralph Johnson, and the fact that the same two guys have so many multiple roles results in some of the best laughs of the night through both the manner in which they manage to do it and, at one point, a case of mistaken identity reminiscent of Scooby Doo endings. Brian P. Evans is seemingly in the role(s) he was born to play, turning in masterful comic performances in his varied disguises: A blushing young bride who has a naughty streak, a hunched butler with an even naughtier streak and a dark, hairy secret, a delightful Egyptian guide, a flirtatious mummy, and a screaming portrait. Brian's sense of timing and melodrama is tremendous throughout the play and throughout the range of characters. Just as vital to this play's success as the two people on stage are the several people behind the stage. Set Designers Tim Heitman and Mark Sander did an amazing job with the small space and small budget of the La Jolla Stage Company. Working with Property Designer Marilyn Bates and Specialty Designer of Paula Pierson, the stage props and sets fit the spirit of the play perfectly by being a combination of both sinister and silly. A ridiculous stuffed wolf, a bleeding painting, and a replacement portrait that looks more like an overly happy driver's license photo are just a few of the many gems these people pulled out. Costume Designer Tamara Myers's choices were nicely absurd. Sound designers (Bob Bates, Jenny Bates, and Tim Heitman) combined to add greatly to the ambience of the play with their not-so-spooky spooky music, wolf sounds, rooster crows, whistling teapots, and a small contribution by Brian P. Evans as he "squeaks" on his wooden leg. Stage Manager Carolyn Wheat Koenig and her crew precisely timed their complicated behind-the-scenes work. And all of this was pulled together under the flawless direction of Jenny Bates who brought together just the right people and managed to get all of the zany elements working in perfect synch. In short, The Mystery of Irma Vep is one of the best comedies and one of the most purely entertaining shows of the year. If you're trying to decide between La Jolla Playhouse's Dracula: The Musical and La Jolla Stage Company's The Mystery of Irma Vep, I highly recommend the latter! Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~
Jane Twisden: Ralph Johnson Nicodemus Underwood: Brian P. Evans Lady Enid Hillcrest: Brian P. Evans Lord Edgar Hillcrest: Ralph Johnson An Intruder: Ralph Johnson Alcazar: Brian P. Evans Irma Vep: ??????????? Director: Jenny R. Bates Set Designers: Tim Heitman and Mark Sander Costume Designer: Tamara Myers Lighting Designer: Chris Batchelor Property Designer: Marilyn Bates Specialty Designer: Paula Pierson Sound Designers: Bob Bates, Jenny Bates, and Tim Heitman Stage Manager: Carolyn Wheat Koenig Crew: Kay Hulbert and Becky Halliburton |