In community theater, where passion can sometimes trump perfection, there's a special kind of magic that happens when everything goes hilariously wrong. That's the kind of comedy audiences can expect from Cocoa His Village Playhouse's next production, “The Play That Goes Wrong.” The show opens on Friday, March 15th and runs through March 24th.
“The Play That Goes Wrong” is a comedy by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Thayer, and Henry Shields. This show takes the idea that “the show must go on” to a new level, offering a blend of slapstick, farce, perfect timing, and controlled chaos.
Co-director Pam Larson said, “Doors slam, cues go awry, actors hit their heads and fall out of windows, and every corner of the set is doomed to collapse.” “You won't want to miss this hysterical show. Laughter will make you angry.”
The plot revolves around the Cornley Dramatic Society, a fictional amateur theater company that attempts to stage a 1920s murder mystery called “The Habersham House Murders.” During the performance, everything goes wrong. From malfunctioning props to missed cues, no mishap is too absurd for this comedy of errors.
It's hard to intentionally get things wrong, but it's also a lot of fun. Larson and the cast embraced the chaos.
“We carefully choreograph and rehearse each gag to ensure the comedy comes across to the audience and to ensure the safety of the actors involved,” she said. “This involves careful planning, rigorous training, and constant communication between cast and crew to execute the controlled chaos that makes the show so entertaining.”
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One of the hallmarks of The Play That Goes Wrong is its over-the-top physical comedy.
“Physical comedy has and will continue to appeal to the public's sense of humor,” Larson said. “We can't wait for audiences to join the 'The Play That Goes Wrong' fandom.”
The chaos characteristic of a play within a play brought the cast together as an ensemble.
“Our cast is very talented,” Larson said. “Through extensive rehearsals and bonding experiences, they developed seamless chemistry, enhanced their performances, and created a cohesive unit on stage.”
“Their ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of the work ensures that every performance is filled with energy, spontaneity and big laughs.”
Although the script provides a solid foundation for the chaos to unfold, the unpredictability of live theater keeps the audience on edge. No one knows what will happen when an actor takes the stage. That's part of the magic of live theater, the thrill of knowing anything can happen.
if you go
“A game that doesn't go well”
where: Cocoa Village Playhouse, 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa
when: 7:30pm Friday and Saturday and 2pm Saturday and Sunday through March 24th
ticket: Starting from $35
phone: 321-636-5050
Website: cocoavillageplayhouse.com
Christina LaFortune is FLORIDA TODAY's entertainment and TGIF editor. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or email her. clafortune@floridatoday.com.
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