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Play On! by Granite Hills Acting Workshop Acting can be difficult what with remembering lines, getting the timing down, arranging props correctly, and conquering stage fright. But it's even more difficult when you forget lines, lose your timing, can't find the props, and you're scared to death! That's what the actors of Play On do. At least, that's what they "act" like they are doing. In the tradition of the hit comedy Noises Off, which Granite Hills Acting Workshop did two years ago, Play On is a show about a show in which every actor's worst nightmare becomes reality. But what actors dread can be a source of great amusement to the audience. The audience's amusement, which began in the first act, grew to roars by the third act as the Granite Hills actors did a brilliant job in what is really a complicated script. Goofing up on accident is a lot easier than doing it on purpose. The dialogue does not have a smooth flow as it does in a normal script, and the constant shifting between being "in character" and "out of character" makes it incredibly easy to commit real goofs. To their credit, no one made a mistake that they weren't supposed to make. That is … I don't think they did! Carly Nykanen (Gerry), as the director, tries to keep the cast, crew, and writer from killing the script and from killing each other. It's a tall order. Especially when she is clearly pushed to murderous rage herself when dealing with the humorously annoying writer (Tasha Voeltzel) who always had some great new ideas for completely re-writing the script, right up till opening night. Brandon Roesler gives another memorable performance, this time as the only one who really does commit murder. His character, Saul, has many of the best lines in the show, and the lines couldn't be in better hands. Between his biting humor throughout and his drunken antics in the third act, Brandon kept everyone in stitches. A veteran of this type of play, Marjorie Oslie was the only one who was also in Noises Off two seasons ago. In that show she played Brooke, the flighty blonde who kept losing her contacts. This time she played Smitty, the brunette biology student who, perhaps wisely, was now donning glasses. As stage fright-smitten Smitty, Marjorie's myriad variations of nervous expressions were hysterical to watch. Michelle Anderson (Louise) was a big hit as the feisty backstage worker with a bad attitude who pretty much said whatever was on her mind. No, she screamed whatever was on her mind. Everyone put in a great performance: Aimee Dotts (Polly) was the spoiled and hefty butt of Brandon's razzing, while her doting husband Jarryd Davis (Henry) defended and comforted her. Chanel Nicolet (Violet) and Kevin Lyon (Billy) were the attractive and intellectual ... well, attractive couple who fall for each other's ... um, intellect on the stage. And Marla Worm (Aggie) was the frustrated stage manager who was rightfully concerned for the production. The entire cast was strong, not only for their comedic flare but also for their constant attention to their characters. Even when they were not the focus of the action, they were always active with their facial expressions or body language. That's a tribute to both the actors and their director, Barry Bosworth, who always seems to get the most from his talented students. Rob Hopper San Diego Playbill ~ Cast ~ Aggie - Marla Worm Billy - Kevin Lyon Gerry - Carly Nykanen Henry - Jarryd Davis Louise - Michelle Anderson Phyllis - Tasha Voeltzel Polly - Aimee Dotts Saul - Brandon Roesler Smitty - Marjorie Oslie Violet - Chanel Nicolet Directed by Barry Bosworth |