With much of the world in such disarray at the moment, the Wetumpka Depot is offering a welcome antidote in their laugh-a-minute comic riot, Unnecessary Farce. Written by Paul Slade Smith [who has played Scrooge at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival], and with Jackie Viskup directing its frenetic mayhem, this two-hour farce had its small opening night audience in tis thrall.
It has all the markings of a traditional farce: a convoluted plot, broad stock characters, witty dialogue, fast action, sexual dalliances with characters found literally with their pants down, lots of slamming doors [there are eight of them here], physical pratfalls, split-second comic timing, a Scottish kilt-wearing hit-man, and an ensemble of actors who deliver the goods...much to the audience's delight.
Kristy Meanor's finely detailed set design -- two adjoining mirror-image hotel rooms, with doors leading to a hallway, closets, bathrooms, and connecting the rooms -- and Ryan Sozzi's effective costumes, contribute to the comfort exhibited by the cast and the director.
The plot: two inept police officers and their female decoy attempt to entrap the local mayor who they believe embezzled $16-million, and set up surveillance in an adjoining hotel room; but what they capture on-tape could either provide the concrete evidence they need, or compromise several unexpected and embarrassing romantic encounters. Add to this mix an intrepid bodyguard for the mayor, the mayor's wife, and the aforementioned Scottish hit-man, and the raucousness builds with each moment.
And what a fine ensemble cast of veteran and neophyte actors it is. Henri Cheramie, Cole Hamric, Amy "Rebecca" May, Ethan Montgomery, Scott Rouse, Leanna Wallace, and Bethany Warman earn every laugh with their uninhibited portrayals that are abetted by Adrian Lee Bush's intimacy and fight choreography.
How it all turns out might test credibility, but that's not important. Go for the laughs, go for the unexpected, go for the energy, go for the release of our everyday tensions, and enjoy the ride.
