by dick kerekes dickkerekes@yahoo.com
The Wilson Center was alive with lunacy last weekend as FCCJ Dramaworks, presented David Lindsay-Abaire’s wild and wacky Wonder of the World.
This comedy followed the journey of a young housewife, Cass charmingly played by Chelsea Donovan. Ms. Donovan appeared in two Players by Sea productions, Boston Marriage and The Philadelphia Story and this was her first leading role.
Cass leaves her husband Kip. Cory Chance is wonderful as Kip following up his outstanding performance as “Quentin G “ on this same stage last year She leaves because Kip take perverse pleasure in swallowing and passing the heads of Barbie Dolls that he has affectionately named. I know you are saying, I told and gave a big secret away. Well, this is an after the fact review since the show has closed so anything goes.
Cass carries a list of 200 things she wants to accomplish in life---things like having sex with a stranger, learn Swedish, and finding a sidekick. She boards a bus for Niagara Falls, and meets Lois, an alcoholic who is carrying her own barrel so she can commit suicide by going over the falls. Kasi Walters was good in this role and nicely downplayed the drunken aspects of the part. I have noticed this in other college-produced plays. Nobody plays a down and out sloppy drunk. The reason probably is not to glorify getting pickled and stupid.
Cass meets many strange people on her journey, like Captain Mike (David Mechoso) who runs the Niagara Tour boat and whose wife died by smothering under a gigantic jar of peanut butter. Kip hired a hilarious husband and wife amateur detective team, (Mary Crumpton and Kevin Gilbert) to find Cass.
The zany scenes went on and on. A ride in a helicopter, visits to three real weird restaurants and a therapy session conducted like a l960s game show.
Matt Mercurio was funny as the helicopter pilot, as he zoomed up the very clever scissor lift into the sky over the falls.
Joshua Allen, Jennifer Browning and Zdravko Rozic were crowd favorites as the very unusual waiters and waitresses in the restaurants. Rounding out the cast was Janie McShane played by Dee Richie as a clown who moonlighted as a therapist and provided a fitting end to this madcap show.
The FCCJ theatre program not only provided an excellent acting program but offers an except opportunity to learn stagecraft. Students worked with Scenic/ Lighting Designer Johnny Pettegrew and Scene Shop Supervisor Robert Rupp, to create exceptional sets and set pieces. I loved the Maid of the Mist Tour Boat, the convertible walls used in Cass’s home then rearranged for the motel room. The elevated bus seats were unique as were the colorful backdrops using gobos create a fantasy world.
Those delightful costume sisters, Dorinda Grogan and Camala Pitts were it again with colorful and very appropriate costumes. The bell hops costumes and the restaurant attire was a hoot and my favorites.
Sound Engineer Scott Collins, assisted by Kasey Linsberg created some music that is hard to described but certainly filled the bill and to enhance the action on the stage.
I don’t think you will have the opportunity to see Wonder of the World again in Jacksonville near future, since it is a difficult show to do and very off beat as well.
The playwright David Lindsay-Abaire ‘s first play Fuddy Meers, is a brilliant comedy but has never been done in this area. I would recommend that local theaters consider producing it. I saw it in Louisville a few years ago and I am still bragging about it.
Wonder of the World was directed by Ken McCulough, head of the FCCJ Theatre Performance program the South Campus. Mr. McCulough has an uncanny ability to select plays that are unique and very often cutting edge. Some of the outstanding past productions among my favorites include God’s Country, Blood Brothers, Honk, and Popcorn.
Thanks Dramaworks for a fun and interesting evening of theatre. The acting was solid, the special effects spectacular and the sets out of this world. You can’t ask for anything more.
|
